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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.

The Priority Projects Team is recruiting for a HEO Policy Advisor (apprenticeship); someone with the desire to become a great policy advisor through an apprenticeship that blends work and study. This campaign is being run externally and so is open to all who consider themselves suitable for the roles and meet the eligibility criteria in the wider advert within Civil Service Jobs. 

Location:

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

• 102 Petty France, London
• 5 Wellington Place, Leeds 

Occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required. 

The MoJ is currently operating a hybrid working model and staff must be present at their base location for a minimum of 2 days every week. 

Ways of Working:

At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

• Full-time, part-time or the option to job share

• Flexible working patterns
• Flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home.

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition. 

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity 

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ):

MoJ is one of the largest government departments, employing over 80,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice 

The Work of the Priority Projects Team:

The Priority Projects Team (PPT) is a high-profile, friendly and supportive team working at the heart of the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ’s) strategy function.  We act as an in-house consultancy, working across the whole of MoJ’s policy agenda, helping the department to deliver its highest priorities.   

You will be part of a team within PPT working on specific and urgent policy issues. Recently our projects have included working on the independent review of criminal legal aid, a consultation with victims of crime to inform policy redesign, and Human Rights Act reform. You will also have the opportunity to scope out and propose strategic projects.   

We are looking for motivated, resilient and adaptable individuals who are eager to learn and expand their skillset. The role will give you the opportunity to work with lots of stakeholders across MoJ as well as other government departments, and will usually involve engagement with the ministerial team and private offices.   

We are committed to providing you with a positive team culture where you can thrive. People are our most valuable resource and through flexible working, our commitment to learning and development, network events and mentoring, we ensure our directorate is a positive environment to work in.   

The team is made up of a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.  We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values that diversity and helps us to be our best by reflecting different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds.  Some colleagues are new to the Civil Service from the private or third sector.  Others have worked in different parts of MoJ and in other central government departments. We want to maintain a diversity of background and experience, and particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in the organisation.  We are a friendly team and you will have a comprehensive induction, with many training opportunities to enable your personal development.   

Policy Advisor (apprenticeship) in the Priority Projects Team - the role

As a Policy Advisor (apprenticeship), you will: 

• Support the delivery of a range of projects within the team, covering priority areas across the department. 
• Work collaboratively with other policy professionals, analysts, lawyers and operational colleagues to understand complex issues quickly and develop robust and evidence-based solutions. This will include working with quantitative and qualitative data to develop a strong evidence base.
• Establish collaborative relationships with key stakeholders from across the MoJ and wider government to understand complex issues quickly and ensure that links are made with the relevant policy and operational teams.   
• Work towards producing high-quality written and oral briefings for senior officials and Ministers, distilling complex ideas into clear and concise advice. 
• You will play a proactive role in communicating the apprenticeship scheme to the team, directorate and department.
• Typical daily tasks may include:
  • Desk-research
  • Drafting policy products that support the delivery of your project, including slide packs, submissions to ministers, briefings for senior officials and ministers, responses to parliamentary questions
  • Working with or analysing data
  • Arranging and facilitating engagements with internal and external stakeholders
  • Monitoring and reporting progress of tasks against overall timelines
• Complete a Policy Officer (level 4) apprenticeship. You will be allocated an average of 7.4 hours of work time per week (for full-time employees) to complete relevant development activities as part of the apprenticeship. 

Alongside your core role, you will have the opportunity to get involved in corporate projects across the wider team such as Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion, Mentoring and Recruitment. These corporate responsibilities underpin how we work as a team and contribute to the MoJ as a whole.   

In return, you will have access to many training opportunities on a range of topics, for example: leadership and coaching, effective writing, stakeholder engagement and partnership working.  

Policy Officer Apprenticeship

The primary role of a policy officer is to shape and/or influence government policy, by working with a wide range of stakeholders and experts to gather evidence, effectively synthesise information and present recommendations to senior colleagues. 

The responsibilities of a policy officer encompass the development, implementation and evaluation phases of policymaking, and are likely to include: researching and understanding the political environment in order to support the continuous development of a policy; gathering evidence and being objective to support the influencing and negotiating of new policies; handling sensitive information and keeping accurate records of policy history; assisting the wider team by providing administrative support during the introduction of new legislation; commissioning input from and preparing and drafting submissions for senior officials; and replying to public and formal correspondence within any deadlines given. 

About the apprenticeship programme
Over this time, you will:

• Be employed as a civil servant in the MoJ with a line manager providing regular mentorship and feedback throughout the apprenticeship. 

• You’ll work towards the Level 4 Policy apprenticeship. You will complete virtual and in-person teaching, on-the-job learning, a personal development plan and an end point assessment. 

Typically, the apprenticeship takes 24 months to complete. 

Skills and Experience 

Essential:

• Good planning and organisational skills
• Ability to prioritise
• Motivated
• Collaborative
• Ability to meet targets
• Good communication skills, orally and in writing
• Positively responds to change
• Ability to work independently
• Effective team working
• Ability to work at pace
• Familiar with the use of basic Microsoft packages Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint 

Desirable:

• Previous experience in government is not essential, but you will be expected to work towards having a good political awareness, the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to solve problems. 

Eligibility for the apprenticeship programme

As this role includes completion of the Policy Apprenticeship (Level 4) please check the eligibility requirements below using the apprenticeship standard:

• You must have lived in the UK and/or EU for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date and not be undertaking another apprenticeship at the same time.
• You must not already have some of the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You must not have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard. 

Therefore, please do not apply if:

• You already have all the skills and knowledge that is covered in the contents of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have already worked in a similar role, or your previous learning, and/or work experience covers the contents (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) of the apprenticeship standard.
• You have a Level 4 or above qualification in Policy. 

If you are successful in the initial sift, your eligibility will either be checked by the training provider or a self-assessment skills checker. This will be completed prior to your interview. 

Please note that:

• Part of this apprenticeship is to complete a level 2 English and Maths functional skills qualification. If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and Maths at Level 4 (grade C) or above, you will not need to complete the functional skills qualification, but you will be expected to provide proof of your certificates. 

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework. 

Experience 

You will be asked to provide a CV during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. 

Behaviours

During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviour (see Annex A for more information): 

• Developing self and others
• Working together
• Communication and Influencing 

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf 

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of Developing self and others. Candidates successful at the sift will have their eligibility checked by the training provider or a self-assessment skills checker prior to being invited to interview. 

Applicants who pass the eligibility check will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths. 

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely. 

During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours and Strengths from the success Profiles framework. 

You can refer to the CS Strengths dictionary for more details:  Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk) 

Interview dates are to be confirmed. 

Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful. 

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description. 

Contact information  

Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our team:

Nici Wharton – nici.wharton@justice.gov.uk

Heather Southcott – heather.southcott@justice.gov.uk