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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

Personal Assistant and Policy Support Officer

Overview

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society. Our four strategic priorities to deliver our vision are:

• A prison and probation service that reforms offenders
• A modern courts and justice system
• A Global Britain that promotes the rule of law
• A transformed department

The organisation works together to bring the principles of justice to life for everyone in society. From our civil courts, tribunals and family law hearings, to criminal justice, prison and probation services. From seeing to it that sentences are served and offenders are encouraged to turn their lives around and become law-abiding citizens, keeping the public safe. From safeguarding victims and the vulnerable to regulating our legal services. We believe the principles of justice are pivotal and we are steadfast in our shared commitment to uphold them.

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice

About the role

We are looking for a motivated and collaborative individual to join the Prison Policy Directorate. You will join the ambitious and dynamic Joint COVID strategic policy unit set up across MoJ and HMPPS to shape our ongoing response to COVID 19 in custody. The role will provide opportunities to work in a fast-paced policy environment and collaborate with colleagues responsible for delivery in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).

This role will provide personal assistant support to two Deputy Director’s who run the Joint Unit, but also supporting and collaborating with the wider team to deliver on its policy objectives and wider commissions for work and briefing. You will be working in a fast-paced environment, balancing competing demands, and delivering challenging objectives.

You will be a confident self-starter with excellent organisational and time management skills to balance the competing demands of the role. You will work well within a team and be capable of building good relationships, while communicating clearly both orally and in writing.

We are a friendly, enthusiastic and collaborative directorate with a strong emphasis on ensuring team members feel happy, supported and engaged in their work. We have a strong commitment to personal and career development, helping everyone to grow and fulfil their potential.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Diary and inbox management and support for two Deputy Directors, ensuring that commitments and competing demands are efficiently managed and future needs anticipated to enable them to operate effectively
• Provide support to the wider Joint Unit team, including the opportunity to get involved in the delivery of projects and policy development
• Providing secretariat support for meetings. Setting appropriate and relevant agendas and accurate minute taking to ensure all action points are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Undertaking transactional activity to support recruitment, on-boarding, Health & Safety checks and vetting.
• Data collection and performance reporting to support briefings and business activity.
• Be a proactive member of the Prison Policy Directorate, contributing to the overall impact and professionalism of the team, including encouraging continuous improvement and promoting ideas to improve ways of working.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Developing good working relationships with senior internal stakeholders and the ability to liaise with them confidently and capably.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Prison Policy Directorate.
• Able to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines. Confidently multitasking and prioritising high work volumes in a fast-paced environment.
• Fast learner that is confident in picking up new topics quickly
• Excellent co-ordination and organisational skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Have strong attention to detail
• The ability to work autonomously and within a team, exercising sound judgement and taking the initiative.
• Competent IT user with experience using MS Office

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Delivering at Pace (Lead Behaviour)
• Working together
• Managing a Quality Service

There will be a shortlisting or sift stage, where we use the written evidence in your application form to assess you against the criteria. An initial sift based on the lead behaviour may be held if a large number of applications are received. If your application progresses to a full sift, all behaviour examples will then be considered.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.