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 Prison Policy Directorate is recruiting permanently for two Band B (SEO Equivalent) Policy Roles. One in the Safety, Security and Operational Policy Division, the other in the Joint Covid-19 Unit. This campaign is being run externally and so is open to all eligible individuals who wish to apply.
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)
Current circumstances require everyone to work from home for all or the majority of the time depending on local restrictions and individual circumstances.
Salary and Grade:
These posts are SEO / MoJ Band B. New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
Ways of Working
At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:
- Full-time with flexible working patterns
- Flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home.
At the moment the majority of our staff are currently working from home due to Covid-19
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 around 70,000 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.
What we do
We work to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. We are also responsible for the following parts of the justice system:
- courts
- prisons
- probation services
We also work in partnership with other government departments and agencies to reform the criminal justice system, to serve the public and support the victims of crime. We are also responsible for making new laws, strengthening democracy, and safeguarding human rights.
Priorities
- 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 that is simpler, smarter and more unified
Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice
Background
The Prison Policy Directorate sits within the Ministry of Justice and is responsible for advising Ministers on all aspects of prison policy. The Prison Security Team works to tackle prisons’ security risks in order to protect the public and provide an environment in which prisoners can be rehabilitated. Threats to prison security include the activities of serious and organised crime e.g. the supply of drugs into prisons. We work both across government and hand in hand in with one of the biggest delivery organisations in government – HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS).  The Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit is a multi-disciplinary team, made up of both policy and operational expertise. It sits both within the Prison Policy Directorate in the Ministry of Justice, and the Reducing Reoffending, Partnerships and Accommodation Directorate in HMPPS. It provides strategic level advice to senior officials, Ministers, and across Government on immediate challenges in the prison and probation system, as well as longer term contingency and system recovery planning and preparations.
We have one post in the Prison Security Policy team and we are looking for a talented and forward-thinking individual to join us who can help set the future strategic direction for prison security policy as well as design and undertake a number of policy projects. The role will provide excellent opportunities to work in a fast-paced policy environment and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues working in security, research, intelligence, data analysis, law and law enforcement.
We have one post in the Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit). We are looking for a talented and forward-thinking and adaptable individual who is looking for an opportunity to work in a fast-paced policy environment and collaborate with a wide range of operational, policy, analytical, legal and public health colleagues across HMPPS, the Ministry of Justice and wider government.
Both Prison Security Policy and the Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit are friendly, enthusiastic and collaborative teams that place a strong emphasis on ensuring our members feel happy, supported and engaged in their work. We are keen to make a difference, working closely with partners and supporting everyone to play their part to improve prisons and the outcomes for prisoners. We have a strong commitment to personal and career development, helping everyone to grow and fulfil their potential.
The successful candidates will be expected to:
- develop a rich understanding of causes, trends, opportunities, threats and possible futures through collecting and interpreting a wide range of sources of data and evidence;
- identify, develop and present strategies with clear policy objectives and policy options;
- be creative whilst developing and applying a realistic understanding of operational matters and policy;
- work flexibly and independently, effectively leading their own areas of work;
- develop and build strong partnership working with colleagues in HMPPS and MoJ, as well as external stakeholders;
- provide high-quality briefing to senior officials and Ministers, showing excellent oral and written communication skills.
- have the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines; and
- manage, supervise and develop a member of staff at Band C (The Prison Security Policy role has line management responsibility. The Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit role will have the opportunity to supervise and develop a Band C without direct line management responsibility).
Role Purpose
Prison Security Policy Team
As a member of the Prison Security Policy Team, the post holder will develop strategy for prison security.  They will also work on a range of policies to prevent activities, often criminal acts, that undermine safety and rehabilitation in prisons. Policies can include: stopping contraband such as drugs entering prisons; disrupting illicit communications and abuse of legitimate means of communication; identifying and disrupting criminal networks; and building prison staff’s security capabilities.
Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit
As a member of the Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit, the post holder will develop strategy and work across multiple policy areas to deliver the objectives of the National Framework for prisons: preserving life, maintaining the stability, safety and security of the prison estate, and providing sufficient capacity to meet demand from the courts. Current priority areas for the team include outbreak control response, vaccination delivery, and prison regime recovery and planning.
Main Activities / Responsibilities
The job holders will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
- develop strategy for prison security / work across multiple policy areas to deliver the objectives of the National Framework for Prisons;
- collect, analyse, interpret and present evidence to form sound policy proposals and approaches and to identify which activities are likely to have an impact;
- develop and build strong partnership working with colleagues across the criminal justice system and across government, in the centre and operationally;
- drive forward and take ownership of the development and delivery of key strands of work and activities;
- actively contribute to higher-level decision making for business planning, policy and project implementation to progress strategic objectives;
- identify relevant linkages with other projects within prison policy as well as across the department to ensure a joined-up approach and enhanced valued is added; and
- respond flexibly to competing and complex demands.
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 will also be asked to provide a Statement of Suitability of 250 words demonstrating your experience of using evidence and knowledge to develop options, assess those options to reach a decision / to identify a preferred option, and present your conclusions persuasively.
Behaviours
Your application will also be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Seeing the big picture (Lead Behaviour)Â
We are looking for candidates who are able to understand and apply strategic drivers to their area of work, including wider organisational priorities. Bring together views and perspectives of a range of partners and stakeholders to gain a wider picture of the landscape and develop a common understanding of objectives, relative priorities and trade-offs.
- Making Effective DecisionsÂ
We are looking for candidates who are able to confidently use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. They should be able to carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions and display confidence when presenting their decision, advice or recommendation.
We are looking for candidates who can establish effective relationships and collaborate with other departments and external stakeholders to support the delivery of departmental objectives. Â
We are looking for candidates who are able to take responsibility for their work to deliver the expected outcomes on time and to a high standard; to be able to plan ahead as well as reprioritise at short notice. Â
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Level 3 – SEO and HEO or equivalent):
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 Seeing the Big Picture. Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.
Candidates invited to Interview
Interviews will be carried out remotely. During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours and Strengths from the success Profiles framework.
Interviews are expected to take place in February 2021.
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 Â
Please do get in touch if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our teams. We will be available to respond to any queries from the 4 January 2021 onwards.
Prison Security Policy – Richard Bishop – Richard.Bishop1@justice.gov.uk
Joint Covid-19 Strategic Policy Unit – Francesca Ainsworth – Francesca.Ainsworth@justice.gov.uk
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