Role title:

Head of Policy

Team/Directorate:

Strategy, Governance and Change team, Judicial College

Overview of the Judicial Office

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by MoJ. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from MoJ. The JO has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

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Overview of the team

The Judicial College provides training courses and guidance for 24,000 judicial office holders on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice, Senior President of Tribunals and Chief Coroner. Its vision is to be a world leader in judicial education. This is an exciting time to join the College as it continues to deliver, develop and enhance the training programme at a time of change across the justice system. 

The successful candidate will join the strategy, governance and change team - a central, cross-cutting team that sits at the heart of the College and provides direct support to three leadership judges.

Hybrid Working Requirement

This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).

Summary of the role

The Judicial College is recruiting a Head of Policy to lead its policy design and delivery. This is a high-profile leadership role, central to delivering the College strategy, with regular engagement with senior judges and officials.  

This is a full-time position but we will consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements such as job shares and other arrangements where business need allows.

Responsibilities,

Activities & Duties:

The post-holder will: 

• Lead the development of policies to underpin our training programme and ways of working 

• Provide strategy and handling advice to our three judicial Directors of Training, and support them to drive forward judicial priorities and engage effectively with domestic stakeholders and international partners 

• Oversee support and briefing for the College’s Chair - a Court of Appeal judge and member of the Judicial Executive Board 

• Coordinate the College’s public reporting to support transparency and confidence while safeguarding judicial independence  

• Lead effective and proportionate governance including management of the College Board 

• Provide leadership for a team of around seven, motivating others and role modelling our values 

• Engage across the organisation and with other stakeholders to keep our activities alive to and aligned with the senior judiciary’s objectives and justice system priorities 

Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Experience of policy development and implementation 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 

• Sound judgement and problem-solving skills 

• Ability to absorb and interpret a range of information 

• Highly effective organisation and planning skills 

• Ability to form trusting and collaborative relationships with stakeholders at all levels 

• Experience of leading or coordinating others to achieve challenging goals  

Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Experience or understanding of the judiciary or justice system 

Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):

• Leadership 

• Making effective decisions 

• Communicating and influencing 

• Delivering at pace

Assessment process at application

To apply for this role, provide a statement of suitability (max. 500 words) and two behaviour examples on leadership and making effective decisions (max. 250 words each). Your statement of suitability should set out your interest in the role and how you meet the essential criteria. Applications may be sifted on the leadership behaviour example if a large number are received. 

Assessment process at interview

Candidates who are invited to interview will be asked questions on strengths and the following four behaviours: 

• Leadership 

• Making effective decisions 

• Communicating and influencing 

• Delivering at pace

Security clearance required:

CTC