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24154 - ALB Sponsorship – Senior Policy… at Ministry of… · Leeds
Skills
Job Description
This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
ALB Sponsorship – Senior Policy Advisor
SEO
Joint Unit and Judicial Resourcing
Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate
The Judicial and Legal Services Policy (JLSP) Directorate is recruiting permanently for a Senior Policy Advisor (SEO) in the ALB sponsorship team. This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.
Current Civil Servants (all contract types) will need to ensure that they are still employed as a civil servant at the point of starting in the relevant new post. If their contract ends (e.g. end of FTA contract or resignation) at any point during the recruitment/onboarding process for the advertised role, they will no longer be eligible and may be withdrawn.
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 the two locations may be required. We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds).
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
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
Salary
Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
MOJ is one of the largest government departments, employing over 90,000 people (including those in the Probation Service), with a budget of approximately £9.5 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including 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 Joint Unit and Judicial Resourcing Team
The Joint Unit and Judicial Resourcing Unit (JUJR) is a high-profile, friendly and supportive team that works to drive improvement in the way the courts and tribunals operate and to improve engagement with the judiciary and the arms-length bodies which we sponsor.
The roles in JUJR sit within the Judicial and Legal Services Policy Directorate (JLSPD) in MoJ’s Policy Group. JLSPD is responsible for managing the relationship between the department, the government and the judiciary and legal services profession.
The work of the Judicial Resourcing (JR) team is highly varied and regularly attracts the interest of Ministers and the senior judiciary.
The team currently takes on the following work:
- Judicial Arms’ Length Bodies – Ensure effective sponsorship and oversight of the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman. Ensure that their team supports the Deputy Directors in their role as sponsor of the Judicial Office.
- Judicial Resourcing and Capacity – Plans to deliver a judicial workforce that supports wider court and tribunal reform and demand, working across the department and beyond to build in the impacts of emerging policy and developments for judicial resourcing plans. We work closely with judicial office, HMCTS and the Judicial Appointments Commission, to develop and iterate the annual and rolling three-year plans for future judicial recruitment. We collaborate across MoJ to develop policy or legislative options to increase capacity beyond recruitment.
- Judicial Appointments Policy – We are responsible for providing advice to the Lord Chancellor for senior judicial appointments including the United Kingdom Supreme Court, and the authorisation of advice from Judicial Office to the Lord Chancellor relating to other judicial appointments and authorisations. We provide oversight to the team for developing the Lord Chancellor’s policies and delegated decisions that relate to judicial recruitment, retention and appointment.
ALB Sponsorship Senior Policy Advisor in the Joint Unit and Judicial Resourcing - The role
The ALB sponsorship team oversees sponsorship for the judicial ALBs; namely Judicial Office, the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Judicial Appointments and Conduct Ombudsman.
The role requires working with these partners in a way that respects and protects constitutional boundaries with the independent judiciary, understanding the context of the wider justice system but working closely with stakeholders to progress Ministers’ priorities, and to support access to justice.
The role-holder will manage the day-to-day sponsorship function for the judicial ALBs alongside the G7 Head of ALB Sponsorship, including developing an understanding of and monitoring the finance, performance and organisational capacity positions of the ALBs, so that risks and emerging issues can be appropriately escalated and addressed. The role-holder must be confident in building good working relationships with senior officials.
Responsibilities will include: holding working-level relationship management within the ALBs; ensuring governance meetings (including senior appraisals and bi-lats) and quarterly review meetings are appropriately facilitated through effective briefing and communication with appropriate parties (including senior colleagues and Ministers); overseeing the publication of annual reports through coordination of clearance and drafting of ministerial submissions; and leading on responding to various central government commissions in respect of the purpose and operation of the ALBs.
The role holder will be responsible for managing the sponsorship frameworks. In particular, taking forward the review of the Judicial Appointment Commission’s framework will be an early focus.
The role holder will also lead on supporting the Lord Chancellor to fulfil their statutory responsibility for judicial conduct and discipline, including through reviewing draft JACO reports. They will act as the MoJ point for contact for judicial discipline, coordinating briefing, responses to PQs, and Ministerial correspondence.
There will also be the opportunity to work on projects in the wider Judicial Resourcing team, subject to workload and capacity requirements. These would be good stretching opportunities for a capable SEO.
The work would suit someone who is comfortable driving progress themselves and can balance management of a number of different issues across each ALB. Subject to workload and team priorities, there may be the opportunity to task manage a HEO.
The job-holder will also be expected to pick up a corporate objective to support the wider JLSP directorate and will have the opportunity to share in leading the coordination and approach to FOIs across the team.
Skills and Experience
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues across the team, the department, external partners and stakeholders
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively, and drive work forward autonomously.
- Confidence in working with data
- Ability to see issues within a wider context and see the big picture
Desirable
- Knowledge of the court system and the judiciary.
- Experience of working with finance business partners.
Additional Information
- 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.
- 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.
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
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(s):
- Delivering at pace
- Working together
- Making effective decisions
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK
Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the Statement of Suitability and the lead behaviour of Delivering at pace. 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.
At interview you will be assessed against the behaviours listed above where you will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated them. In addition, you will also be asked strength-based questions.
Behaviours:
The following Behaviours will be tested at interview:
- Delivering at pace
- Working together
- Making effective decisions
It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:
- WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or
- STAR - What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?
Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:
Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK
Strengths:
It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this. Further information on Civil Service Strengths can be found via this link Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK
Interview Timeline:
Interviews are expected to take place in December 2026.
Contact information
Please do get in touch with Kieran McNulty (Kieran.mcnulty@justice.gov.uk) if you would like to know more about the role or what it is like working in our team.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference: 24154
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference: 24154
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Application form stage assessments
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Interview stage assessments
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.