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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.

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £35,335 - £37,847, London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Burton-upon-Trent, Darlington, Jarrow, London, Newport, Sheffield
Region
London, North East, North West, Wales, West Midlands
Closing Date
21-Nov-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11417

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Background

Security Information Directorate (SID) is part of the Service Transformation Group (STG). STG oversees the building of a strategic vision for modernising and digitising our legacy systems, generating a coordinated plan across the MoJ and its agencies for transformation, and tracking delivery of this transformation.

Security and information management are fundamental building blocks of enabling the department to deliver. We have highly skilled experts working collaboratively with the department, Government Security Group and other partners to enable the whole of the MoJ to function securely, lawfully and transparently.

We identify, manage, and mitigate MoJ’s security, data protection and information risks, and provide assurance against those risks. We’re also home to the Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise. Part of our mission is to up-skill the department so that security becomes second nature to our people and partners.

Security and Counter Fraud work as part of the Security Information Directorate to keep the MoJ and its people safe and secure. We cover:

  • Group Security (including Personnel and Physical Security)
  • Security Governance and Portfolio
  • Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise
  • The Office of the Chief Security Officer
  • Security Profession

About the job

Are you a people person who thrives on bringing teams together and finds satisfaction in orchestrating multiple moving parts? Do you have a passion for delivering an efficient and integral service? If so, we have an incredibly rewarding opportunity for you.

MoJ Group Security is looking to expand our National Security Vetting team by recruiting a Vetting Team Advisors to support the offboarding of National Security Vetting (NSV) service from Protective Security Centre (PSC/Home Office) and returning it back ‘in house’ to the MoJ.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in establishing a new National Security Vetting (NSV) team within the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). You will support the Senior NSV Manager in designing and implementing a robust vetting service for the MoJ and its agencies. Your responsibilities will include developing processes, workflows, guidance documents, and policies; engaging with stakeholders; and delivering training across all aspects of the NSV process. You will also support the recruitment, onboarding, and training Administrative Officers (AOs), ensuring the team is fully prepared for the service launch in March 2026.

Once we have off-boarded from PSC you will be leading a team to provide a quality NSV service to the whole of MoJ. Ensuring efficient, customer focused delivery which minimises risks and supports people within NSV roles.

This is an ‘admin heavy’ role with two prominent workstreams. You will be responsible for running and maintaining one of two work streams Vetting Operations or Vetting Aftercare:

Vetting Operations is responsible for the end-to-end process of NSV applications from sponsoring and issuing links, transferring clearances in and out of the MoJ and granting clearances for all cases in line with the MoJ’s risk appetite and tolerance.

Aftercare is the term used for the ongoing management of effective personnel security. Its purpose is to investigate, monitor, risk assess and risk manage anything of security concern.

Both work steams will include interviewing applicants on sensitive subjects such as financial/medical and lifestyle.

The successful candidate will be matched to roles based on their experience and skill set to which you are most suitable too, however you will be expected to be cross-skilled in all NSV workstreams and understand all areas of the business.

Roles and responsibilities:

Line Management and Leadership

  • Direct line management 2x EO’s and counter signatory for at least 2/3x AO’s
  • Leading and empowering a team to become subject matter experts to deliver a quality service and ensure all SLAs are met  

New workstreams and processes

  • Standing up the new NSV team, creating processes and polices, data transferring and cleansing, recruit and train new EO’s and AO’s in all aspects of the NSV workstreams    
  • Engage with stakeholders ensuring they are informed and updated ensuring all processes are agreed and implemented  
  • Establish and maintain the Vetting Operations for all new/renewal, transfers/shares of National Security clearances
  • Establish and maintain the Aftercare process for all National Security clearances where aftercare has been applied.

Vetting Operations /Aftercare processes

  • Assess and triage potential National Security Vetting refusals and adverse cases from UKSV, evaluating them against the vetting framework and MoJ risk tolerance.
  • Review low-risk/non-adverse DV cases and complex aftercare cases, making clearance decisions and recommending further action where necessary.
  • Act as a point of escalation for complex or sensitive vetting enquiries.
  • Support Vetting Coordinators in risk assessment of aftercare cases, and application of appropriate measures.
  • Assist in decision-making for adverse vetting outcomes and ongoing clearance maintenance.
  • Conduct interviews with applicants or clearance holders to explore personal or sensitive issues impacting national security clearance.
  • Develop and maintain vetting-related policies and procedures to ensure alignment with current standards and risk appetite.

This list is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Essential skills/experience

  • Proven experience in leading teams or projects to achieve shared goals.
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work on time.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and support team members while contributing to collective objectives.
  • Skilled in administrative tasks and experienced in fast-paced, process-driven environments.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, including handling sensitive conversations professionally.
  • Proficient in MS Office365, especially Word and Excel, with a track record of delivering high-volume services efficiently.

Desirable skills/experience

  • Knowledge of personnel security, including National Security Vetting and pre-employment screening processes.
  • Strong understanding of data protection principles, with a commitment to confidentiality and discretion.
  • Experience in conducting difficult conversations or interviews.
  • Proven ability to lead teams through change and empower others effectively.
  • Skilled in decision-making within defined frameworks, such as Cabinet Office guidelines.
  • Confident in managing shared mailboxes and handling high volumes of correspondence efficiently.
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

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:

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 11417

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 11417

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, 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.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
A statement of suitability of no more than 750 words that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected 08/12/2025 - 14/12/2025
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)

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.