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 Priority Projects Team is recruiting permanently for Grade 7 Lead Policy Advisors. 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)
Ways of Working
At the MoJ we believe in 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 headquarter building as their base location, are expected to attend their base location 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.Â
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
MoJ is one of the largest government departments, employing over 77,000 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 Priority Projects Team
The Priority Projects Team (PPT) is a high-profile, friendly and supportive team working at the heart of the MoJ’s strategy function. We act as an in-house consultancy, working across the whole of MoJ’s policy agenda, helping the department to deliver its highest priorities. We do this by delivering short policy projects to the highest standards.
Each project is unique, fast-paced and exciting. Members of PPT typically work in small project teams on projects lasting from a few weeks up to six months, working closely with policy and functional leads across the organisation. Sometimes PPT members may work directly in another policy team to undertake project work. Recently our projects have included the independent review of criminal legal aid, a consultation with victims of crime to inform policy redesign, and Human Rights Act reform. Â
The team has a diverse range of experience. Some colleagues are new to the Civil Service from the private or third sector. Others have worked in different parts of MoJ and in other central government departments. We want to maintain a diversity of background and experience. We are a friendly team and you will have a comprehensive induction, with many training opportunities to enable your personal development.
We are committed to providing you with a positive team culture where you can thrive. People are our most valuable resource and through flexible working, our commitment to learning and development, network events and mentoring, we ensure our team and wider directorate is a positive environment to work in.
Lead Policy Advisor - the role
Lead Policy Advisors play a central role in leading project-based policy work. We are looking for motivated, resilient and adaptable individuals who are able to get to grips with new subject areas quickly to deliver high quality projects in collaboration with teams across MoJ.
You will need to be able to get to grips with new subject areas quickly. You will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills and are able to communicate complex ideas clearly. You will need to be confident working independently and comfortable working with ambiguity, leading the delivery of complex and challenging policy projects across the MoJ’s policy responsibilities.Â
You will be responsible for the initiation, development and delivery of project-based policy work within the context of the MoJ strategy and political direction of the department, and within tight resourcing constraints. You will often be leading a small project team and will need to have strong leadership and management skills. You will be responsible for ensuring that there are clear roles and responsibilities and for supporting individuals to thrive in their roles. You will need to be confident in managing relationships with senior stakeholders, providing the strategic overview for a project whilst ensuring day-to-day milestones are met. You will ensure good communication with project sponsors throughout projects
The role will give you the opportunity to work with senior stakeholders across MoJ as well as other government departments and will usually involve engagement with the ministerial team and private offices. You will need to develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of stakeholders within Government, including ministers, special advisors, legal, analytical and operational colleagues.
You will be part of the Extended PPT Senior Management Team, adopting a leadership role across PPT and feeding into discussions on performance of those colleagues you directly line manage as well as others on the team. You will have line management responsibility for up to three Band B / Senior Executive Officers. We work in a matrix management structure and you will manage individuals outside your line management on projects. This will involve working closely with your peers to support the development of individuals in the team.
Alongside your core role, you will be expected to take a leading role in corporate projects that contribute to shaping the culture and development of the team, such as wellbeing, diversity & inclusion, recruitment, or learning and development. to underpin how we work as a team and contribute to MoJ as a whole.
You will have access to many training opportunities on a range of topics, for example: leadership and coaching, effective writing, stakeholder engagement and partnership working.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Make effective decisions – you will have strong problem-solving skills, bringing structure to complex policy issues and able to draw sound conclusions, drawing on a range of evidence and analysis to deliver high-quality, innovative and inclusive policy advice. This will include working with quantitative and qualitative data to develop a robust evidence base.
- Lead and engage- you will be an open and engaging leader, committed to building an inclusive and high-performing culture within the team, setting strategic direction and supporting your direct reports through coaching. You will have a focus on personal development and wellbeing, playing an active leadership and management role across your team, directorate and the MoJ. Â
- Work collaboratively– you will have excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships, and influence across the department and beyond to ensure that the work of your team has maximum impact. You will be open to challenge and able to effectively navigate conflicting priorities.
- Deliver at pace – you will have strong prioritisation skills and the ability to make effective decisions on how to structure projects to make best use of your resources. You will have the ability to impose structure on complex problems, allocate scarce resources in the context of the department’s strategy and political direction, and set-up and lead teams and bring colleagues together to reach your end goal.
- Communicate complex ideas clearly– understanding and articulating complex issues to senior stakeholders and ministers, drawing on your understanding of the bigger picture to ensure communications are clear, concise, effective and relevant, and taking into account political sensitivities.
Desirable:
- Experience of working in a policy project environment and/or strategy consulting experience would be an advantage.
- Previous experience in government is not essential, but you will need to have good political awareness and the ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences and the ability to solve problems using structured problem-solving techniques.Â
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 upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 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 behaviour (see Annex A for more information):
- Making effective decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and influencing
- Working together
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
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:Â Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Interviews are expected to take place in June 2022. Candidates who are successful at the first interview will be invited to a second round of interviews before an appointment is made.
We are planning to hold information sessions for candidates, where you will have the opportunity to hear from team members and learn about the application process. Dates for these sessions have not been finalised but if you would like more information or to attend, please email Veronica.Trotman@Justice.gov.uk.
If you are unable to attend the event but would like additional information about the role, previous projects, what it is like working in our team or the applications process please get in touch.
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.
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