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 Strategy and Innovation Directorate is recruiting permanently for two Strategy Advisers at SEO level. 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 HQ locations:
- 102 Petty France, London
- 5 Wellington Place, Leeds (occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required post Covid-19)
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.
Our staff, who have an HQ building as their base location, are expected to work in an office at least 2 days per week.
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 around 79,000 people (including those in the Probation Service). Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at over 300 courts and hearing centres, and over 100 prisons in England and Wales.
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
The Work of the Strategy Unit
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Strategy Unit, a small team that sits at the centre of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). It is our role to develop the department’s strategy and make sure we are providing the best possible advice to ministers on a range of important policy and delivery issues. We help the department make better and more coordinated decisions, plan for the long-term and achieve its aims across Whitehall.
The Strategy Unit’s work focuses on three closely related areas:
- Priorities and coordination. We set the strategic direction for the department in line with the Secretary of State’s priorities – ensuring our resources and policies are aligned with the Government’s agenda and that we can clearly articulate MoJ’s priorities across government.
- Criminal justice system future demand. We help the department understand the long-term challenges the justice system may face and coordinate work across MoJ and government to develop plans for responding to those challenges. A key element of this is working closely with analytical colleagues and senior stakeholders to coordinate the department’s modelling of justice system demand – ensuring decisions are taken in a coordinated way across the system and in light of the best available evidence.
- Strategic projects. We help progress priority issues and address strategic gaps in the department’s thinking by leading projects on important cross-cutting or longer-term issues. Recently this has included exploring how the department embraces innovation and considering the levers other Government departments are responsible for which impact justice outcomes.
The team has a wide range of experience - some have worked in different parts of MoJ and other central government departments, while others have joined from outside the Civil Service. 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
Strategy Adviser – the role
We’re looking for two Strategy Advisors to join the team. The Strategy Unit is a small, collaborative team. Members are often asked to support projects across the team, providing a breadth of strategy experience and so there is no typical day. In any given week, you might scope a new project, draft advice for a Minister, prepare papers for Cabinet, work with analysts and other departments to understand the impacts of a decision on demand for the justice system or develop a plan for helping the Department articulate a medium-term strategy. A Strategy Advisor is a great role for someone seeking to bring their intellect and abilities to bear on some of the most important issues facing society, while developing their knowledge and understanding of Government and the justice system.
We have a flat structure, and given we work at the centre of the Department you can expect a lot of independent work and significant opportunities to engage and advise senior officials and Ministers. You can also expect variety and flexibility. We cover the whole remit of the Department, which will give you the chance to gain experience on topics ranging from how to manage prison capacity to the future of the justice system. The team is also encouraged to work on corporate activities like learning and development, induction, staff engagement and others.
Application process
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
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.
You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words. This statement should explain your relevant experience and why you believe you are a suitable candidate for the role, focusing on how you meet the key behaviours listed below. We strongly encourage you to use examples from your previous experience to help demonstrate this.
We are looking for applicants who can:
- Think critically and analytically. This role will require you to understand and assess trade-offs and break down complex problems. For example, you might need to assess the impacts of funding decisions for different aspects of the criminal justice system or develop recommendations for tactical or longer-term actions based on a project’s findings. To succeed, you will need to be comfortable interpreting and analysing information from a variety of sources and thinking critically to develop advice.
- See the bigger picture. We work at the heart of the Department and closely with the centre of Government. You will need to be able to develop an understanding of how your work fits into the department’s priorities and provide strategic insight, drawing on your understanding of the wider context to ensure communications are clear, effective and relevant.
- Communicate clearly and persuasively. A large part of our role is to make the complex simple for Ministers and others, translating analysis to inform policy advice and persuasively presenting the ‘MoJ view’ to others in Government.
- Work flexibly and at pace. Finally, no two days are the same in the Strategy Unit, so we are looking for applicants who are able to work flexibly in picking up new tasks and supporting your peers, as well as delivering at pace and managing your workload effectively. You’ll also need to be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment where priorities can change at short notice.
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Level 3 – Band B or SEO equivalent):
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf
Candidates invited to Interview
Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.
You will be required to give a 10-minute presentation at interview. Details of this will be sent to those candidates invited for interview and materials will be provided on the day.
In addition to the presentation, you will be asked by the interview panel to provide examples of how you meet the behaviours listed below. “The Star Method” (Annex A) may be a helpful way to structure your answers.
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
You will also be asked about Strengths which are not notified in advance. You can refer to the CS Strengths dictionary for more details: Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Interviews are expected to take place from mid-October 2022.
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. Contact: Katie Taylor, Head of Demand & Cross Government Strategy – katherine.taylor1@justice.gov.uk
Annex A - The STAR method
Using the STAR method can help you give examples of relevant experience that you have. It allows you to set the scene, show what you did, and how you did it, and explain the overall outcome.
Situation - Describe the situation you found yourself in. You must describe a specific event or situation. Be sure to give enough detail for the job holder to understand.
- Where are you?
- Who was there with you?
- What had happened?
Task - The job holder will want to understand what you tried to achieve from the situation you found yourself in.
- What was the task that you had to complete and why?
- What did you have to achieve?
Actions - What did you do? The job holder will be looking for information on what you did, how you did it and why. Keep the focus on you. What specific steps did you take and what was your contribution? Remember to include how you did it, and the behaviours you used. Try to use “I” rather than “we” to explain your actions that lead to the result. Be careful not to take credit for something that you did not do.
Results - Don’t be shy about taking credit for your behaviour. Quote specific facts and figures. Explain how the outcome benefitted the organisation or your area. Make the outcomes easily understandable.
- What results did the actions produce?
- What did you achieve through your actions and did you meet your goals?
- Was it a successful outcome? If not, what did you learn from the experience?
Keep the situation and task parts brief. Concentrate on the action and the result. If the result was not entirely successful describe what you learned from this and what you would do differently next time. Make sure you focus on your strengths.
TOP