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 Victims and Witnesses Policy and Strategy Unit is recruiting permanently for 2x SEO Victim Support Policy Advisor. This will be a fast-paced and rewarding role, with significant opportunities for development while working on one of the department’s top priority areas. 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 post Covid-19)
In order for Policy Group to meet its evolving business needs and for us to continue to progress towards our pre-pandemic levels of attendance, all Policy Group staff are expected to attend their base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds) at least 2 days a week. This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently.
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.
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 Victims and Witnesses Policy and Strategy Unit
The Victim and Witness Policy Unit leads on systemic, multi-agency reform work to improve support and outcomes for victims and witnesses, to help them rebuild and recover from the impacts of crime and enable better justice outcomes. Through our data and evidence gathering, we have built a good understanding of the interventions that support victim recovery and engagement. No 10 and Ministers have significant ambitions improve what victims can expect and their access to support.
The unit is currently focused on developing and introducing the Victims Bill. We published a response to our consultation on the Victims Bill and we are now focused on delivering the commitments outlined in this response. You can find the consultation response here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/delivering-justice-for-victims-a-consultation-on-improving-victims-experiences-of-the-justice-system The teams that you will be applying to join are responsible for the proposals in chapters three and four of the consultation response.
The role will support the development and delivery of the Victims Bill alongside non-legislative policy proposals, supporting passage of the Bill through Parliament and implementation of measures. You will be responsible for working closely with cross-system partners and external stakeholders and developing how the policy will work in practice and ensuring that it is deliverable whilst being ambitious in what it will achieve for victims.
Across the two roles, responsibilities may include:
- Policy development and implementation focused on: interventions to improve advocacy support for victims and engagement throughout the criminal justice system; a new duty aimed to increase multi-agency collaboration between groups commissioning victim support services; and/or other specific policy issues (such as supporting victims of particular crimes, such as serious violence)
- Supporting the delivery of the Victims Bill by developing and drafting statutory guidance on Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) or collaboration between commissioners, working closely with stakeholders across the victim support sector, local government, policing and health
- Parliamentary handling advice and victim sector engagement on a key area of interest within the Victims Bill, on how victim support services are funded and delivered, working across government as well as with MoJ colleagues (Victim and Witness, Commissioning and Implementation Unit)
- Working closely with the Victim and Witness, Commissioning and Implementation unit as we increase the number of ISVAs and IDVAs to meet public ambitions on volumes and considering across units how MoJ can support/ influence the recruitment and retainment of these roles.
- Engaging with cross-government partners and external stakeholders to develop and deliver policy proposals
- Advising Ministers on issues and decision points
- Supporting corporate activities to continue to make the unit a great place to work
Victim Support Policy Advisor
Skills and Experience
You should be able to think strategically and consider how best to use evidence to inform effective decision making to deliver the right outcomes. You will also need to be able to quickly assimilate complex information, including data to develop clear and cost-effective policies.
Essential
- Ability to confidently and proactively shape the direction of work
- Excellent briefing skills, written and oral
- Effective stakeholder management
- Effective project management
- Confident at using data and evidence
- Ability to proactively consider and drive forward their portfolio
Desirable but not essential
- Previous experience of working in policy
- Previous experience of working on a Bill
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.
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.
You also will be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Skills and Experience listed above.
Behaviours
During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviours (see Annex A for more information):
- Making effective decisions
- Communicating and influencing
- Delivering at pace
- Seeing the big picture
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
Successful applicants 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)
A presentation will also be required at the interview stage. You will be provided with details of this if you are offered an interview.
Interviews are expected to take place early December 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: Emily.Halliday@justice.gov.uk or Chloe.Wood1@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