Director, Planning, Performance and Risk
Chief Operating Officer Group
SCS Pay Band 2
Closing Date: 23:55 on 25th January 2026
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Contents
Person
Introduction
The Role
Benefits
Specification
Recruitment
Diversity &
FAQs
Contact Us
Process
Inclusion
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Welcome to the Ministry of Justice
Thank you for your
We are seeking a Director of Planning,
influence the culture and behaviour of the
Performance and risk to deliver a step-
organisation.
interest in the role of
change in how the department undertakes
You will support the Permanent Secretary,
Director, Planning,
internal performance management and to
set high standards and innovate to improve
Deputy Prime Minister and Ministerial team
Performance and Risk
delivery.
with greater transparency, assurance and
oversight through the new Justice
The Directorate you will lead is already a
Performance Board.
vital driving force in the Ministry of Justice.
It provides a unified view of departmental
You will provide strong, strategic, and
delivery and performance and helps the
inspiring leadership for your team through a
MoJ deliver its justice outcomes effectively.
period of change and will secure the
You will be joining a great team and
confidence of Ministers and officials across
working on some of the most complex and
the Department and wider Government.
important issues that make lives better for
We particularly encourage applicants from
the citizens we serve.
diverse backgrounds. If you believe you
You will ensure that our existing
have the skills and qualities we are looking
performance and planning processes are
for, I would be delighted to hear from you.
robust, evidence-based, and aligned to
Best wishes,
departmental priorities and the Justice
Delivery Plan while delivering a new
Amy Holmes
programme of performance activity to
Interim Chief Operating Officer
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About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is a
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) works to
modern and efficient criminal courts
protect and advance the principles of
system.
major government department at
justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class
the heart of the justice system.
•
justice system that works for everyone in
A beacon for justice and the rule of law:
to uphold the rule of law at home and
We deliver some of the most
society.
abroad; promote our world-leading legal
fundamental public services
The justice system plays a crucial role in
services, which contribute to economic
our success as a nation - keeping people
growth; and deliver accessible and
including courts, tribunals,
safe, emphasising fairness, guaranteeing
timely civil, family and administrative
prisons, legal services, youth
individual rights and giving businesses
justice.
justice, probation services, and
confidence to flourish.
For more information on who we are and
attendance centres.
The delivery of our three strategic
what we do, please visit:
outcomes are central to doing this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisatio
ns/ministry-of-justice.
• Punishment that cuts crime: to rebuild
confidence in the criminal justice system
by protecting the public and reducing
reoffending with a sustainable and
effective prison and probation service.
• Swifter justice for victims: to rebuild
confidence in the criminal justice system
by ensuring timely, just outcomes for
victims and defendants through a
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About the role
External candidates should expect their
Directors for Planning, Performance &
salary upon appointment to be £100.000 -
Improvement, the Chief Risk Officer and
£110,000 per annum. Existing Civil
the head of the Departmental Operations
Servants will be appointed in line with the
Centre.
Job Title
Civil Service pay rules in place on the date
The head of the new the new dedicated
Director - Planning, Performance and
of their appointment.
Performance Unit will also report to you
Risk
Contract Type
and together you will deliver a step-change
Location
This role is being offered on a permanent
in performance oversight across the
basis.
Criminal Justice System.
The successful applicant must spend at
least 60% of the week working from a MoJ
This role has a minimum assignment
Key Responsibilities
site. Click here to learn more about MoJ’s
duration of 3 years - in line with the
Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer
offices.
deliverables identified. Please note this is
you will be accountable for:
an expectation only, it is not something
MoJ will agree a contractual base location
which is written into your terms and
• An intelligence-led, end-to-end process
upon appointment. Travel from home to the
conditions or indeed which the employing
that oversees departmental-wide
contractual base will not be reimbursable
organisation or you are bound by.
performance and improvement plans via
by the business as per the MOJ T&S
the newly-established Justice
Policy.
The Role
Performance Board.
Travel to London will be required to attend
The Director Planning and Performance will
• Development of the Justice Delivery
specific meetings but this will not be
drive forward departmental activity to
Plan, translating ministerial priorities
regular, frequency will depend on business
improve transparency, assurance and risk
into measurable outcomes and
need.
management, helping to drive
supporting their delivery.
improvements in delivery.
Salary
• The performance process for ExCo and
You will provide strategic leadership for the
The salary for this role is set between
ministers, including ownership of the
Directorate and will directly line-manage up
£100,000 - £120,000.
MoJ's performance dashboard and
to five SCS1s including the Deputy
producing regular, insight-driven
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reports.
• The Departmental Operations Centre
(DOC), ensuring business continuity,
resilience and preparedness for major
incidents.
• The Risk Management and Governance
Centres of Expertise, facilitating a
continuously improving approach to risk
management and information flows
throughout the department, ensuring
that our decisions are well-informed.
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Organogram
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Person Specification
It is important through your CV and Statement
and senior stakeholders, inspiring
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and
of Suitability that you give evidence and
confidence and securing buy-in across all
more inclusive method of recruitment by
examples of proven experience of each of the
levels of the organisation.
enabling us to assess the range of
below essential criteria:
•
experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours
Proven ability to work across organisational and technical/professional skills required for
Essential criteria:
boundaries, building collaboration and
different roles.
shared ownership of outcomes.
• A credible and experienced senior leader,
You will be assessed against the following five
with a strong track record of delivering
• Sound judgement and resilience in
Behaviours (at Director-level) at interview:
strategic and operational outcomes and
managing risk and balancing pace with
• Leadership
systems leadership across complex, multi-
quality assurance.
agency delivery landscapes.
• Communicating and Influencing
Desirable Criteria:
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Experience of leading major business
performing inclusive teams through change,
planning or performance improvement
• Changing and Improving
including during periods of organisational
functions in the public sector.
• Delivering at Pace
review, transition, or uncertainty.
• Familiarity with central government
Further information about the Civil Service
• Excellent understanding of performance
governance and performance and risks
Behaviours Framework can be found here:
management, planning and delivery
reporting frameworks.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/su
assurance in complex organisations.
ccess-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-
Civil Service Success Profiles:
•
behaviours
Strong communication and influencing
skills, with the ability to present complex
The Selection Criteria uses the Civil Service
information credibly and clearly to ministers Success Profile Framework.
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The Recruitment Process
Application
not be provided to the selection panel. We
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
capture this information to monitor our
To apply for this post, you will need to
internal vacancy filling processes with a
Selection Process
complete the online application process no
view to ensuring that we continue to build a
later than 23:55 on 25th January 2026 and will
Neil Wooding, a Civil Service Commissioner,
talented workforce with diverse
involve uploading the two documents outlined
will chair the process. The Civil Service
perspectives and backgrounds.
below:
Commission has two primary functions:
4. In addition to diversity information, you will
Document details:
● Providing assurance that selection for
be asked whether you wish to apply for the
appointment to the Civil Service is on merit
1. A CV setting out your career history, with
role as part of the Disability Confident
on the basis of fair and open competition.
key responsibilities and achievements.
Scheme. For more information about the
For the most senior posts in the Civil
Please ensure you have provided reasons
scheme, please see the FAQs section.
Service, the Commission discharges its
for any gaps within the last two years.
Please submit and complete all of the
responsibilities directly by overseeing the
recruitment process and by a Commissioner
2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than
documents listed so that the panel will have all
chairing the selection panel.
1250 words) explaining how you consider
the required information on which to assess
your personal skills, qualities and
your application against the criteria in the
● Hearing and determining appeals made by
experience provide evidence of your
person specification. Please note failure to
civil servants under the Civil Service Code
suitability for the role, with particular
submit a CV and Statement of Suitability will
which sets out the Civil Service values -
reference to the criteria in the person
result in your application not being considered
Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and
specification.
for this role.
Honesty - and forms part of the relationship
between civil servants and their employer.
3. As part of the application process, you will
Should you encounter any issues with your
be required to complete your diversity
application please get in touch with SCS
More detailed information can be found on the
information. All monitoring data will be
Recruitment via:
Civil Service Commission website.
treated in the strictest confidence and will
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In addition to the Civil Service Commissioner
Assessment
you meet the essential experience outlined in
the other panel members will be:
the Person Specification section.
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take
● Amy Holmes, Interim Chief Operating
part in a stakeholder engagement assessment. Ensure you read through the role information
Officer
Further information will be provided to
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for
shortlisted candidates.
each area. You should ensure you provide
● Mark Adam, Director General, People and
evidence for each of the essential experience
Capability
Interview
which are required for the role in your
Other panel members will be confirmed in due You will be asked to attend a panel interview in Statement and CV. You may not be
course.
order to have a more in-depth discussion of
progressed to the next stage of the
your previous experience and professional
assessment process if you do not provide this
Shortlist
competence in relation to the criteria set out on evidence.
The panel will assess your application to select page 8. Please note, you may be asked to
When structuring your Statements try to:
those demonstrating the best fit with the role
complete a presentation on a topic chosen by
by considering the evidence you have provided the panel at interview stage.
• Group evidence of the same experience
against the criteria set out on page 8.
together by using subheadings and
Full details of the assessment process will be
paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are
Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the
made available to shortlisted candidates.
writing about the experience that is directly
outcome as soon as possible following the
Offer
relevant for the role you are applying for.
shortlist meeting.
• You should ensure that you detail recent
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all
Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of
and relevant examples of the essential
candidates as soon as possible after the final
applicants for this role, we are unable to
experience required for the role and
interview.
provide feedback to those not successful at
describe the outcome that came from this.
shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted Guidance for writing your application
and attend an interview will be offered verbal
As part of the application process, you need to For more information on how to write your
feedback from a member of the interview
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
panel.
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
Careers Website.
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Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are
therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates
given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date
23:55 25th January 2026
Shortlist Meeting
Week commencing 2nd February 2026
Assessments and Interviews
11th - 12th February 2026
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
Travel to London will be required to attend
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
civil servant?
specific meetings but this will not be regular,
nationals working in the Civil Service
frequency will depend on business need.
Yes. This role is open to suitably qualified
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
people in the external market and to existing
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
nationals who have built up the right to work
civil servants and those in accredited Non-
during the recruitment process?
in the Civil Service
Departmental Bodies.
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to
● Certain family members of the relevant EU,
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
reimburse you, except in exceptional
EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
circumstances and only when agreed in
This role is available for full-time or job share
advance.
For further information on whether you are
partnerships. If you wish to discuss your needs
eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.
in more detail, please get in touch with the
What are the nationality requirements for
SCS Recruitment Team.
this role?
Reserved for UK Nationals
Where will the role be based?
This job is broadly open to the following
Certain posts might be reserved for British
groups:
citizens; this is not a reserved post.
The successful applicant must spend at least
60% of the week working from a MoJ site.
● UK nationals
Is security clearance required?
Click here to learn more about MoJ’s offices.
● Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
MoJ will agree a contractual base location
to obtain, security clearance to Developed
upon appointment.
● Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Vetting level. More information about the
vetting process can be found here.
Will the role involve travel?
● Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
with (or eligible for) status under the
What reasonable adjustments can be made
Travel from home to the contractual base will
European Union Settlement Scheme
if I have a disability?
not be reimbursable by the business as per the
(EUSS)
MOJ T&S Policy.
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We welcome and encourage applications from How we can support you
behaviour has been identified as important for
all candidates and are committed to supporting
the job role and all candidates are assessed
all candidates to take part in the recruitment
There are many types of reasonable
against this criterion. If an adjustment cannot
process. This includes supporting individuals
adjustments that can be made during
be provided, the reasons for this will be
who have a disability by making reasonable
assessment processes, and the type or
explained to you during your contact with the
adjustments to the recruitment process. We
combination you choose to request will depend reasonable adjustment scheme team.
are also able to provide support to candidates
on your individual requirements.
who require adjustments to the assessment
Help with your application
Examples of some types of adjustments
process due to more temporary difficulties (e.g. include:
During the application process, we will ask you
linked to a recent injury).
if you require reasonable adjustments. It is
• Extra time to complete assessments;
We will ask you within your application form if
important you tell us as early as possible if you
you would like to request reasonable
• Providing a break within an assessment;
would like to request reasonable adjustments
adjustments. If you feel you require any kind of
so that the recruitment process runs smoothly
• Providing interview questions in a written
support and/or would like to discuss this with
for you.
format at the interview as well as orally;
someone, please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting
If you do decide during the process that you do
reasonable adjustments.
• An interview at a certain time;
require adjustments and you have not
We understand that the support requested will
• Coloured overlays or different fonts for
completed all your assessments, please
be unique to every candidate and we will work
assessment materials.
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
with you to help you to identify your individual
of your next assessment.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but
requirements.
rather some examples.
If you need any help with your application,
We make reasonable adjustments so that all
please contact the SCS recruitment team at
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
candidates are given a fair opportunity to
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
requested, there may be occasions where this
undertake the recruitment process. Therefore, isn’t possible. For example, if a candidate were
disclosing information regarding your disability to request that they are not assessed on a
or access requirements will have no impact on
Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme
specific behaviour outlined in the job advert
the outcome of your application, regardless of
for Disabled Persons?
this would not be possible because the
your request or the role you have applied to.
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Disabled applicants who meet the minimum
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
What should I do if I think that I have a
selection criteria in the job specification are
Principles.
conflict of interest?
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards Candidates must note the requirement to
interview under the Disability Commitment, you of behaviour expected of Civil Servants.
declare any interests that might cause
should complete the relevant section of the
questions to be raised about their approach to
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and
online application. It is not necessary to state
the business of the Department.
open competition, as outlined in the Civil
the nature of your disability.
Service Commission’s recruitment principles.
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview
Should you feel that the recruitment process
interest, please contact SCS Recruitment on
Scheme for Veterans?
has breached the recruitment principles and
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk before
you wish to make a complaint, you should
submitting your application.
Yes. The Great Place to Work for Veterans
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
scheme aims to encourage more veterans to
first instance.
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
join the Civil Service when they leave the
Service Commission?
armed forces.
If you are not satisfied with the response you
receive from the Department you are able to
Yes. As this role is one of the more senior
Veteran applicants who meet the minimum
raise a formal complaint in the following order. posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner
selection criteria in the job specification are
will oversee the recruitment process and chair
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
the selection panel. More detailed information
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00) can be found on the Civil Service Commission
interview under the Great Place to Work for
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
website.
Veterans scheme, you should complete the
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
relevant section of the online application
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
The law requires that selection for appointment 3. To the Civil Service Commission
to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
fair and open competition as outlined in the
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
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Benefits of working for the Ministry of Justice
be complemented by one further day paid
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and
Benefits
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
Wellbeing
As a Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be
Birthday.
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, entitled to a large range of benefits which
Flexible Working
openness and together - are at the heart of our include but are not limited to:
commitment to create a culture where all our
While not every type of flexible working will be
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
Pension
suitable for every role and business area,
workplace.
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
flexible working can take many forms and The
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
We want to attract and retain the best talent
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK business effectively and sustainably by
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
public sector. Visit
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
We want everyone to be the best of
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
themselves, to feel supported and have a
more details.
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
For more information on our amazing benefits
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
Allowance
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
annual and special leave, and our Equality,
people policies and strategies.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all experiences and feelings about working in the
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
can be taken to level this experience;
personal information in accordance improve these experiences, and ultimately
with data protection legislation,
organisation performance.
2. Processing is of a specific category of
personal data and it is necessary for the
including the General Data
Sensitive personal data is personal data
purposes of identifying or keeping under
Protection Regulation and Data
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
review the existence or absence of equality
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
of opportunity or treatment between groups
Protection Act 2018.
trade union membership, and the processing of
of people with a view to enabling such
Data Sharing
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
equality to be promoted or maintained.
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
3. Please note if you are successful in your
To process your application your personal data concerning health or data concerning a natural
application your sensitive personal data will
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS person's sex life or sexual orientation.
be used as part of the on-boarding process
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members The legal basis for processing your
to build your employee record.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
sensitive personal data is:
recruitment process.
For further information please see the GDPR
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
Privacy Notice.
The legal basis for processing your
substantial public interest for the exercise
personal data is:
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
Processing is necessary for the performance of
Crown, or a government department: it is
a task carried out in the public interest.
important to know if groups of staff with
Personal data are processed in the public
specific demographic characteristics have a
interest because understanding civil servant
better or worse experience of working for
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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 D&I Strategy
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Contact us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before
submitting an application, please contact SCS Recruitment on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
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