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.
Policy Advisers in the Victims and Witnesses Policy and Strategy Unit (up to 2 posts available)
HEO
Victims and Vulnerabilities Directorate
The Victims and Witnesses Policy and Strategy team is recruiting permanently for up to 2 HEO Policy Advisers. 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 the two locations may be required.
In order for Policy Group to meet its evolving business needs all Policy Group staff are expected to attend their base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds) at least 2 days a week. This hybrid working arrangement is not contractual and as a result staff could be asked to attend their base location more frequently.
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
- Flexible working arrangements between base locations, MoJ Hubs and home.
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.
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
New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range.
If you are already a civil servant and are successful in an external recruitment competition for a role with us, your starting pay will be the better of:
- promotion terms or transfer terms, as appropriate; or
- pay on appointment arrangements (minimum of pay range)
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
MoJ is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 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 Victims, Vulnerabilities and Criminal Law Directorate
The Victims, Vulnerabilities and Criminal Law Directorate sits at the heart of MoJs policy agenda, working to reform complex systems that deal with some of the most vulnerable members of our society. We work closely with Ministers, the victim support sector, No10, the Senior Judiciary, as well as a wide range of other Whitehall departments, to tackle a range of complex issues. Everything the Directorate does to deliver our wide-ranging portfolio of work is uniquely focused on supporting those that need it most.
There are up to 2 roles available in the Victims and Witnesses Policy and Strategy Unit. The Victim and Witness Policy and Strategy Unit leads on systemic, multi-agency reform work to improve support and outcomes for victims and witnesses, to help them rebuild and recover from the impacts of crime and enable better justice outcomes. It is at the heart of the governments focus on improving victim experience and supporting victims of crime.
The Unit is currently focused on delivering Part 1 of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, which was introduced to Parliament on 29 March. You can find a link to the Bill and factsheets on the Bills measures here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-and-prisoners-bill
The victims measures in the Bill are of wide public and political interest. The victim support sector are vocal about what change they want to see in this area, and No. 10 and Ministers have significant ambitions to improve what victims can expect from the criminal justice system.
We are a friendly, dedicated, and creative team of around 25 people, and we care deeply about being a supportive and inclusive place to work.
1 X Policy Adviser, Victim Support Services Team
This role will support the development and delivery of the Victims and Prisoners Bill alongside non-legislative policy proposals, supporting implementation of measures in the Bill. You will be responsible for working closely with cross-system partners and external stakeholders and developing how the policies will work in practice and ensuring that they are deliverable whilst being ambitious in what they will achieve for victims.
Responsibilities include:
- Policy development focused on a new duty aimed to increase multi-agency collaboration between groups commissioning victim support services; and/or other specific policy issues such as supporting victims of particular crimes.
- Supporting the delivery and implementation of the Victims and Prisoners Bill by working on the drafting of statutory guidance on collaboration between commissioners, working closely with other departments, the victim support sector and local commissioners.
- Supporting the delivery of a consultation on the draft guidance ahead of implementation.
- Advising ministers on matters relating to victim support, including briefings for parliamentary debates and responses to engagement from stakeholders.
- Victim sector engagement on a key area of interest within the Victims Bill, on how victim support services are funded and delivered, working across government as well as with MoJ colleagues (Victim and Witness, Commissioning and Implementation Unit).
- Engaging with cross-government partners and external stakeholders to develop and deliver policy proposals relating to victim support.
- Supporting corporate activities to continue to make the unit a great place to work.
You can find out further information about the duty to increase collaboration here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/649d929d45b6a200123d4579/victim-support-services-fact-sheet.pdf
1 X Policy Adviser Victims Code Team
This role is an opportunity to work on the development of a new Victims Code, which sets out how victims of crime should be treated in the criminal justice system. The Government has committed to consult on a new Victims Code to reflect the important discussion about victims experiences within the criminal justice system that we have been engaged in throughout the passage of the Victims and Prisoners Bill. You will also have the chance to work on raising awareness of the Victims Code among agencies and the public to help victims feel confident to engage with the criminal justice system, and that they will be treated as they rightly deserve.
The Victims Code focusses on the rights victims can expect to receive and sets out the minimum standard that organisations must provide to victims of crime. You can find a link to the Victims Code here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-code-of-practice-for-victims-of-crime.
The Victims and Prisoners Bill details the four overarching principles that the Code must reflect, so that relevant bodies and victims are clear on what victims can and should expect from the justice system. These principles are that victims:
- Should be provided with information to help them understand the criminal justice process.
- Should be able to access services which support them (including, where appropriate, specialist services);
- Should have the opportunity to make their views heard in the criminal justice process; and
- Should be able to challenge decisions which have a direct impact on them.
You can find further information about the Victims Code in the Victims and Prisoners Bill here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/victims-and-prisoners-bill/victims-code-fact-sheet
Responsibilities include:
- Policy development and implementation focused on a new Victims Code.
- Supporting the delivery of a consultation on the draft Victims Code ahead of implementation.
- Advising Ministers on matters relating to victims entitlements, including briefings for parliamentary debates and responses to engagement from the victim sector.
- Engaging with cross-government partners and external stakeholders to develop and deliver policy proposals relating to the Victims Code.
- Supporting corporate activities to continue to make the unit a great place to work.
Successful candidates will be expected to remain in post for a year.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Good communication and drafting skills, including the ability to understand complex issues and communicate them effectively to a range of audiences.
- Ability to work independently to identify and solve problems and think ahead to consider what is needed to deliver policy goals.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and prioritising effectively while delivering high quality work.
- Ability to deliver outcomes in a sometimes-ambiguous environment.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system is desirable but not essential.
Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidates 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.
Experience
You will be asked to provide a personal statement and CV during the application process 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 500 words stating how you have met the essential criteria listed in the JD and why you are interested in the role.
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):
- Working together
- Making effective decisions
- Delivering at pace
- Communicating and influencing
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
Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the lead behaviour of working together. 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 panel interview, you will be asked behaviour-based questions to explore in detail what you are capable of, and strengths-based questions to also explore what you enjoy, and your motivations relevant to the job role.
You will also be asked to prepare and deliver a short presentation.
There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
You can refer to the CS Strengths dictionary for more details: Success Profiles - Civil Service Strengths Dictionary (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Interviews are expected to take place in May 2024.
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. Raveena Jawanda ([email protected]) or Amelia Hammond for the role in the Victims Rights team ([email protected]).
