83935 - Judicial Appointments Commission - Head of Operational Delivery
- Judicial Appointments Commission – Head of Operational Delivery (Grade 7)
Are you an experienced senior Operational Delivery manager looking for a leadership challenge in an independent public body? Do you want to play a pivotal role in ensuring a high quality, independent judiciary? Are you excited by the chance to lead a complex and varied operational function as part of our Senior Leadership Team? If so, you could be exactly who we are looking for.
The Role
We’re looking for a Head of Operational Delivery to lead the delivery of our judicial recruitment processes across England and Wales.
As an independent public body, the Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judges in the courts and tribunals, up to and including the High Court, as well as non-legal tribunal members. We also participate in the selection of senior judicial office holders such as the Lord Chief Justice, the High Court Heads of Division, the Senior President of Tribunals and Lord and Lady Justices of Appeal. You can read more about our work on our website: http://judicialappointments.gov.uk
With a new recruitment campaign launched every couple of weeks, and statutory responsibilities to make sure we select candidates on merit and through fair and open competition, it’s essential that our processes are robust, inclusive, fair, and accessible to candidates from the widest possible backgrounds so that our judiciary can reflect the society it serves.
Our Head of Operational Delivery plays a vital role in enabling the organisation to achieve that vision. They provide strategic oversight and leadership of our operational delivery teams which consist of around 60 members of staff, ensuring that our busy programme of judicial selection activity is run smoothly, effectively and in line with our statutory responsibilities. They also oversee our robust quality assurance processes, driving a culture of continuous improvement while ensuring our operational activities comply with our policies and are executed to a high standard.
As part of our senior leadership team, the Head of Operational Delivery also works closely with a range of senior stakeholders. This includes senior members of the judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, JAC Commissioners and other key interested parties including a cadre of selection panel specialists.
This is a key role in a vital public body that delivers complex and constitutionally sensitive work at pace. It would be particularly suitable for someone seeking an interesting and complex Grade 7 role which offers a wide variety of responsibilities.
Main Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Operations and Digital, the Head of Operational Delivery is responsible for the delivery of the selection exercises, and the selection tools that support those exercises, to enable us to meet the needs of the courts and tribunals.
Responsibilities include:
- Leading our Operational Delivery function of around 60 staff.
- Alongside the Head of Operations and Digital, oversee the delivery of the JAC’s selection exercise programme to overall published performance standards with effective resource planning and allocation.
- Effective leadership and line management of 6 selection exercise teams, consisting of around 40 members of staff, including their performance and development to ensure they meet the needs of the Commission and our business objectives.
- Oversight of selection exercise issues, acting as the first port of call for queries from selection exercise teams; leading on briefing of senior leaders on selection exercises; ensuring escalation of issues as appropriate. This includes acting as Head of Operations and Digital in their absence.
- Oversight of selection exercise governance through sitting as the operations representative on a cross-department board providing governance to selection exercise and policy decisions. This includes providing strategic direction and leadership to selection exercises and ensuring appropriate governance and oversight of selection exercises processes.
- Leadership on quality matters for the JAC operations team, including oversight of the Quality Assurance Managers and their work; quality assuring outcome and other customer letters.
- Ensuring the high quality of papers and panel reports made to the Commission Board, and Selection and Character Committee (SCC), including checking SCC papers for accuracy and compliance with policy.
- Acting as the main point of contact between Operations and the Diversity and Equality Team and Selection Policy Team – this includes building effective relationships with Policy colleagues to ensure the smooth introduction of new policies and that operations concerns are taken account of in the development of policy proposals.
- Act as the Operations Lead on providing support to Panel Members, including sitting on the Panel Member Engagement Group, ensuring Operations issues are flagged as part of this group.
Essential Criteria
- Outstanding leadership demonstrated through a history of empowering and motivating others to deliver high quality services.
- Excellent attention to detail in relation to operational delivery.
- A good understanding of how operational delivery, quality assurance, governance and policy are co-dependent functions in a delivery organisation.
- Excellent organisational skills including the ability to prioritise effectively, deliver on time and to a high quality even in ambiguous circumstances.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective stakeholder relationships at all levels.
What we can offer you
We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives.
While the JAC is an independent executive non-departmental public body, we are considered an arms-length body of the Ministry of Justice and share many of the same policies, processes and terms and conditions as Civil Servants employed directly by the MoJ. This includes being part of the MoJ pay remit, enabling transferees from other government departments to retain their continuity of service and Civil Service Pension arrangements.
Though located at Clive House, Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with some days in the office and some days working remotely. It will be necessary for the successful postholder to work at the JAC location regularly to support business need.
Recruitment process
We will assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process:
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
In addition to these behaviours, your experience will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Application Process
To apply for this role, you will need to provide:
- Your CV
- A statement of suitability explaining why you are interested in the role and how you meet the essential criteria for the role (500 words)
- Written evidence of the 3 core behaviours for this role: Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, and Leadership (250 words for each behaviour).
Sift
Applications will be sifted based on the CV, statement of suitability and evidence of the three behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, and Leadership.
If a large number of applications are received, candidates may be sifted on their CV, statement of suitability and lead behaviour Making Effective Decisions.
Interview
At interview you we will assess you against the 5 behaviours for this role: Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing, and Working Together. You will also be asked about your experience.
Applicants invited for interview may be required to undertake either a presentation or brief work exercise either before or on the day as part of the selection process. More details will be provided if you are invited to interview.
Interviews are expected to take place in either late February or early March 2024.
Interviews may be conducted face -to-face or remotely via MS Teams. More information on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Reserve List
As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.
Further Information
If, after reading this job description, you require any further information please contact Robert Aldridge, Head of Operations and Digital, at Robert.Aldridge@judicialappointments.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role please contact the JAC HR Division: Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
Interviews may be conducted face -to-face or remotely via MS Teams. More information on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
13/02/2024, 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Please quote the job reference - 83935.
If, after reading this job description, you require any further information please contact Robert Aldridge, Head of Operations and Digital, at Robert.Aldridge@judicialappointments.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role please contact the JAC HR Division: Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
· UK nationals
· nationals of the Republic of Ireland
· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.