THELAWPAGES.COM

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 Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate is recruiting permanently for 2 Band C (HEO equivalent) policy advisers to work in the Judicial Pay and Pensions Policy Division

This campaign is being run externally and so is open to all eligible individuals who wish to apply. 

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. 

Location

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

1. 102 Petty France, London.
2. 5 Wellington Place, Leeds (occasional travel between Leeds and London may be required subject to Covid restrictions).

Current circumstances require everyone to work from home for all or the majority of the time depending on local restrictions and individual circumstances. 

Ways of Working

At MoJ we are supportive of and promote alternative ways of working. We accommodate flexible working patterns and flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home (although at the moment the majority of staff are working from home owing to Covid restrictions). For this role, we are also willing to consider part-time and job-share options. 

The Ministry of Justice

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is one of the largest government departments, employing around 70,000 people 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 

What we do

The Judicial Pensions Reform Programme is a priority for MoJ. We have teams focussing on: 

• the introduction of a reformed judicial pension scheme from 2022 which will help ensure that we can continue to attract and retain high-calibre judges, guaranteeing the proper functioning of our justice system and the UK’s wider prosperity; 
• a remedy for the O’Brien and Miller litigation concerning pension entitlements for fee-paid judges; and  
• a remedy for the McCloud litigation relating to age discrimination in transitional protections associated with the introduction of revised public sector pension arrangements in 2015.  

Job Description overview

These roles sit within the Judicial Pay and Pensions Policy Division, part of the Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate. We advise the Lord Chancellor on the high-profile and sensitive issue of judicial remuneration, including both pay and pensions. We are working to develop and implement policy in key areas so that we can continue to attract and retain the best legal minds for judicial office, while operating within the constraints of public finances. You will join at an exciting time as we prepare to implement policy developments through both primary and secondary legislation with opportunities to work in multi-discipline teams including lawyers, actuaries, analysts and other professionals. 

The role

As a policy adviser in Judicial Pensions Policy you will play a part in the design and development of pension scheme features and the underpinning regulations, engaging with a range of colleagues across MoJ and other departments. You will need to get to grips with complex pensions issues and be able to resolve complex problems as they arise. You will play a part in delivering at least one of the priority work strands listed above. You will also assist with ongoing policy enquiries, including those affecting individual judges.  

Skills and Experience

We are looking for someone with the skills and experience that will enable them to:

• Carry out desk research and interpret guidance and technical information to provide advice and recommendations on policy questions. 
• Take the initiative in areas of policy responsibility. 
• Collaborate across the pension policy teams and work effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, and lead policy discussion at briefings and meetings. 
• Deal with policy related correspondence effectively and efficiently. 
• Manage other aspects of a varied workload to deliver results in a timely manner. 
• Generally support achievement of the objectives of the directorate and MoJ.  

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

Please provide examples of how you have met each one of the behaviours listed below (see Annex A for more information): 

• Communicating and Influencing  
• Making Effective Decisions 
• Seeing the Big Picture 
• Working Together  

Please also refer to the Civil Service Behaviours framework for more details at this grade (Level 3 -HEO):

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 Communicating and Influencing. 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. 

Interviews are expected to take place in mid-March 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  

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

Paul Darby, paul.darby5@justice.gov.uk

Kieran Sull, kieran.sull@justice.gov.uk