Director, Centre of Expertise
People and Capability Group
SCS Pay Band 2
Closing Date: 23:55 on Sunday 11th 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 People and Capability Group
Help us build an
The People & Capability (P&C) group
Experience and People Policy
play a vital role in supporting 90,000
transformation.
outstanding workforce to
colleagues across the Ministry of Justice
You will provide strong, strategic, and
support a world leading
with all people related matters. Our core
mission is to work towards having a more
inspiring leadership for your team, and
justice system.
productive, more capable, and
secure the confidence of Ministers and
more competitive department.
officials across the Department and wider
Government. You will be joining a great
This means working together, to
team of dedicated HR experts, working on
respond to shifting organisational
key transformation programmes to enable
priorities; recruit, maintain and apply
reform of the justice system.
skills and resource in the right place
I would like candidates from all industry
at the right time; and leverage AI and
sectors and existing Civil Servants to apply.
technology to support the particularly
If you share our commitment to growth and
resource intensive areas of our work and
feel excited by the idea of joining an
make our services more intuitive
organisation with a powerful ambition, and
and efficient.
if you believe you have the skills and
This is an exciting time to do this critical
qualities we are looking for, then I would be
senior leadership role, as we deepen our
delighted to hear from you.
impact and drive a programme of
Best wishes,
transformational change across our Group
and wider MoJ. The role is varied,
Mark Adam
responsible for the delivery of an ambitious
people strategy with a focus on Leadership,
Director General People & Capability
Line Management, Talent, Employee
Group
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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 People and Capability Group
HR functions which underpin the
department’s operational delivery and
Every day, the work we do in MoJ
programme of transformation and reform to
effectiveness.
across courts, prisons, probation
build a skilled, motivated and supported
units, tribunals and offices changes
workforce that can perform at its best.
• The Corporate Services
lives. Delivering justice is one of the
By enhancing capability, improving
Transformation directorate is focused
most important and demanding
productivity and fostering a culture of
on delivery of AI and Synergy, a cross-
government programme transforming
responsibilities in government, and it
excellence, we help MoJ remain
the way people access corporate
requires every one of us to play our
competitive and ready to meet future
services across multiple government
part.
challenges.
departments.
We collaborate across each Directorate
At the heart of the Ministry of Justice,
within the Group, and the wider business,
• The Centre of Expertise provides
People and Capability Group drives a
to achieve this:
subject matter expertise to drive
productive, capable and competitive
organisational excellence and ensure
organisation, empowering our people to
• HM Prison and Probation Service &
MoJ has the right people, capabilities,
thrive, succeed and deliver.
MoJ HR Business Partnering provide
culture and policies to deliver
a critical link between teams and the
From recruitment and payroll services to
organisational priorities.
People and Capability Group to
leadership, diversity, wellbeing and
understand priorities and challenges.
We strive to stay aligned to business need,
business partnering, everything we do is
seeking and reviewing customer feedback
focused on creating the conditions for our
• Business Architecture and
to build services that are fit for purpose and
MoJ people to thrive, succeed and deliver
Transformation is improving the
meet the changing needs of our
their best for the department and the public
department’s operating model to be
organisation and the people who work
we serve.
more agile and productive via the
within it. We are shaping a more
Organisation Design Reform
Our mission is to strengthen the Ministry of
productive, capable and competitive
Programme.
Justice’s ability to deliver justice through a
organisation to support sustainable reform
• People Services are responsible for
of the justice system.
delivery of a wide-ranging portfolio of
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Organogram
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About the role
This role has a minimum assignment
organisational priorities, ministerial
Job Title
duration of 3 years - in line with the
ambitions and the Civil Service reform
Director, Centre of Expertise
deliverables identified. Please note this is
agenda.
an expectation only, it is not something
Location
which is written into your terms and
Key Responsibilities
National.
conditions or indeed which the employing
Reporting to the Director General for
organisation or you are bound by.
People and Capability, you will lead a
Please note the requirements for travel and
collaborative and cohesive team of c.160
level of flexibility available as set out in the
The Role
professionals with a budget of £16.5m. You
FAQs section.
The Director for Centre of Expertise will be
will:
Salary
critical in shaping and leading the MoJ’s
•
long term people agenda, ensuring a
Set, drive and bring coherence to the
The salary for this role is set within the MoJ
modern, skilled, inclusive and resilient
MoJ’s people agenda to support a more
SCS PB2.
workforce fully aligned to ministerial
productive, capable and competitive
MoJ
External candidates should expect their
priorities and capable of delivering for the
salary upon appointment to be £100.000 -
public.
• Advise the Director General for People
£132,000 per annum.
& Capability and wider Executive
We are looking for an exceptional HR
Committee on how to attract, develop,
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
Director with experience of leading a future
and retain talent, create a compelling
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
workforce strategy, employee development
employee development offer and
on the date of their appointment.
and cultural reform within a complex
employee experience, and ensure that
largescale matrix organisation. The Director
MoJ is future-ready to deliver a robust
Contract Type
will create a coherent, MoJ-wide future
set of ministerial and organisational
focused workforce strategy to ensure that
priorities
This role is being offered on a permanent
we have the right people, culture, policies,
basis.
and capabilities across the UK in line with
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• Develop and drive practical strategic
• Design and govern a strategic talent
solutions that equip MoJ people to
approach, succession planning, and
manage ambitious future needs with an
performance frameworks. Ensure that
ongoing regard for efficiency savings.
there are effective talent pipelines for
critical roles and a diverse, inclusive
• Build strong partnerships at a senior
workforce.
level across the People & Capability
Group, Executive Committee, and the
• Introduce a core Learning &
whole MoJ landscape including external
Development offer aligned to the
stakeholders (Cabinet Office, Trade
workforce and organisational priorities,
Unions) to encourage a culture of
and future skills requirements. Set
engagement and co-creation.
leadership and management capability
frameworks for all levels. Partner with
• Demonstrate a flexible approach, role
Civil Service professions to align
model professional behaviours and
capability development with
motivate your teams through change,
departmental needs.
empowering them to build successful
new ways of working with partners.
• Establish a compelling Employee
Experience and Value Proposition that
Additional Responsibilities
attracts and retains high-performing,
diverse talent. Lead MoJ’s approach on
• Oversee a performance driven strategy
inclusion, engagement, and well-being
function that sets the people agenda at
aligned to organisational values.
pace. Work with other areas of P&C to
Oversee the transformation and
use future analysis and data to plan and
simplification of HR policy to enable
identify talent, capability and resourcing
flexible, modern working.
needs across the MoJ, and ensure that
organisation and culture change is
managed effectively.
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Person Specification
It is important through your CV and Statement
practical, measurable and innovative
of Suitability that you give evidence and
workforce plans that deliver impact,
examples of proven experience of each of the
efficiency and value for money.
below essential criteria:
• Strong track record of building senior
Essential criteria:
stakeholder relationships and influencing at
Board/Executive level, with the proven
• Show experience of being a senior and
ability to persuade, influence and secure
influential HR strategist holding responsible
confidence in others.
and credible senior leadership roles while
delivering complex organisational or
• Exceptional inclusive leader with
workforce transformation at scale.
demonstrable experience of building high
performing, multi-disciplinary expert teams
• A proven track record of navigating the Civil
delivering through others by orchestrating
Service or equivalent large, diverse and
and empowering people to succeed and
complex multi-functioning organisation, with
make a difference.
evidence of making an impact at the
highest levels within an organisation.
Qualifications:
• Strong delivery and problem-solving track
• CIPD qualified or equivalent experience
record, with evidence of translating
strategic organisational objectives into
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The Recruitment Process
Application
not be provided to the selection panel. We
Please submit and complete all of the
capture this information to monitor our
documents listed so that the panel will have all
To apply for this post, you will need to
internal vacancy filling processes with a
the required information on which to assess
complete the online application process no
view to ensuring that we continue to build a your application against the criteria in the
later than 23:55 on Sunday 11 January 2026
talented workforce with diverse
person specification. Please note failure to
and will involve uploading the two documents
perspectives and backgrounds.
submit a CV and Statement of Suitability will
outlined below:
result in your application not being considered
4. In addition to diversity information, you will
Document details:
for this role.
be asked whether you wish to apply for the
1. A CV setting out your career history, with
role as part of the Disability Confident
Should you encounter any issues with your
key responsibilities and achievements.
Scheme. For more information about the
application please get in touch with SCS
Please ensure you have provided reasons
scheme, please see the FAQs section.
Recruitment via:
for any gaps within the last two years.
5. Guaranteed Interview Scheme for
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than
Veterans. The Great Place to Work for
Selection Process
1000 words) explaining how you consider
Veterans scheme aims to encourage more
your personal skills, qualities and
veterans to join the Civil Service when they Tony Poulter, a Civil Service Commissioner,
experience provide evidence of your
leave the armed force. Veteran applicants
will chair the process. The Civil Service
suitability for the role, with particular
who meet the minimum selection criteria in Commission has two primary functions:
reference to the criteria in the person
the job specification are guaranteed an
specification.
interview. Selection will be on merit. If you
● Providing assurance that selection for
wish to claim a guaranteed interview under
appointment to the Civil Service is on merit
3. As part of the application process, you will
the Great Place to Work for Veterans
on the basis of fair and open competition.
be required to complete your diversity
scheme, you should complete the relevant
For the most senior posts in the Civil
information. All monitoring data will be
section of the online application
Service, the Commission discharges its
treated in the strictest confidence and will
responsibilities directly by overseeing the
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recruitment process and by a Commissioner Shortlist
on this Stakeholder Engagement Exercise will
chairing the selection panel.
be provided to shortlisted candidates.
The panel will assess your application to select
● Hearing and determining appeals made by
those demonstrating the best fit with the role
Informal Conversations
civil servants under the Civil Service Code
by considering the evidence you have provided
which sets out the Civil Service values -
against the criteria set out on page 8.
Shortlisted candidates will be given the
Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and
opportunity speak to Diane Caddle prior to the
Honesty - and forms part of the relationship Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the
final interview to discuss the role and
between civil servants and their employer.
outcome as soon as possible following the
organisation in more detail. This is not part of
shortlist meeting.
the formal assessment process.
More detailed information can be found on the
Civil Service Commission website.
Unfortunately, due to the anticipated number of
applicants for this role, we are unable to
Presentation
In addition to the Civil Service Commissioner
provide feedback to those not successful at
You will be asked to prepare a verbal 5-minute
the other panel members will be:
shortlist stage. Candidates who are shortlisted presentation based on a topic that will be
and attend an interview will be offered verbal
● Mark Adam, DG People and Capability
provided in advance. This will form part of the
feedback from a member of the interview
panel interview.
● Diane Caddle, Director, Centre of Expertise panel.
Interview
● Lousie Alexander, Director, HR Business
If you are shortlisted the following will take
Partners and HMPPS
place:
You will be asked to attend a panel interview in
order to have a more in-depth discussion of
More information
Stakeholder Engagement Assessment
your previous experience and professional
If you would like to know more about the role
You will be asked to take part in a Stakeholder competence in relation to the criteria set out on
and/or the organisation before applying, you’re Engagement Exercise. This assessment will
page 8.
welcome to speak to Ellie O’Brien Lead
not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, it is Full details of the assessment process will be
Senior HR Business Partner, please contact
designed to support the panel’s decision
made available to shortlisted candidates.
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk to arrange a
making and highlight areas for the panel to
conversation. Please note this is not part of the explore further at interview. Further information
formal assessment process.
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Offer
• You should ensure that you detail recent
and relevant examples of the essential
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all
experience required for the role and
candidates as soon as possible after the final
describe the outcome that came from this.
interview.
Guidance for writing your application
For more information on how to write your
As part of the application process, you need to Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
Careers Website.
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
you meet the essential experience outlined in
the Person Specification section.
Ensure you read through the role information
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for
each area. You should ensure you provide
evidence for each of the essential experience
which are required for the role in your
Statement and CV. You may not be
progressed to the next stage of the
assessment process if you do not provide this
evidence.
When structuring your Statements try to:
• Group evidence of the same experience
together by using subheadings and
paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are
writing about the experience that is directly
relevant for the role you are applying for.
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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 on Sunday 11th January 2026
Shortlist Meeting
Week commencing 19th January 2026
Stakeholder Engagement Assessment
Week commencing 26th January 2026
Presentation and Interviews
Week Commencing 9th February 2026
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
The successful applicant must spend at least
European Union Settlement Scheme
civil servant?
60% of the week working from a MoJ site.
(EUSS)
Yes. We very much welcome applications from Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
people in the external market as well as
nationals working in the Civil Service
existing civil servants and people in accredited Can I claim back any expenses incurred
Non-Departmental Bodies.
during the recruitment process?
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
nationals who have built up the right to work
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to
in the Civil Service
reimburse you, except in exceptional
This role is available for full-time or flexible
circumstances and only when agreed in
● Certain family members of the relevant EU,
working arrangements (including job share
advance.
EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
partnerships). If you wish to discuss your
needs in more detail please get in touch with
What are the nationality requirements for
For further information on whether you are
the SCS Recruitment Team.
this role?
eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.
Will the role involve travel?
This job is broadly open to the following
Reserved for UK Nationals
groups:
If the successful candidate is not London
Certain posts might be reserved for British
based, travel to London will be needed several
● UK nationals
citizens, this is not a reserved post.
times a month.
● Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Is security clearance required?
Where will the role be based?
● Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
The base location of this post is flexible and
to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More
● Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
can be based at any of our buildings across
information about the vetting process can be
with (or eligible for) status under the
England and Wales.
found here.
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What reasonable adjustments can be made or access requirements will have no impact on to request that they are not assessed on a
if I have a disability?
the outcome of your application, regardless of
specific behaviour outlined in the job advert
your request or the role you have applied to.
this would not be possible because the
We welcome and encourage applications from
behaviour has been identified as important for
all candidates and are committed to supporting How we can support you
the job role and all candidates are assessed
all candidates to take part in the recruitment
against this criterion. If an adjustment cannot
process. This includes supporting individuals
There are many types of reasonable
be provided, the reasons for this will be
who have a disability by making reasonable
adjustments that can be made during
explained to you during your contact with the
adjustments to the recruitment process. We
assessment processes, and the type or
reasonable adjustment scheme team.
are also able to provide support to candidates
combination you choose to request will depend
who require adjustments to the assessment
on your individual requirements.
Help with your application
process due to more temporary difficulties (e.g. Examples of some types of adjustments
linked to a recent injury).
During the application process, we will ask you
include:
if you require reasonable adjustments. It is
We will ask you within your application form if
• Extra time to complete assessments;
important you tell us as early as possible if you
you would like to request reasonable
would like to request reasonable adjustments
adjustments. If you feel you require any kind of • Providing a break within an assessment;
so that the recruitment process runs smoothly
support and/or would like to discuss this with
• Providing interview questions in a written
for you.
someone, please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting
format at the interview as well as orally;
reasonable adjustments.
If you do decide during the process that you do
• An interview at a certain time;
require adjustments and you have not
We understand that the support requested will
completed all your assessments, please
be unique to every candidate and we will work
• Coloured overlays or different fonts for
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
with you to help you to identify your individual
assessment materials.
of your next assessment.
requirements.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but If you need any help with your application,
We make reasonable adjustments so that all
rather some examples.
please contact the SCS recruitment team at
candidates are given a fair opportunity to
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
undertake the recruitment process. Therefore, requested, there may be occasions where this
disclosing information regarding your disability
isn’t possible. For example, if a candidate were
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Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme The law requires that selection for appointment 3. To the Civil Service Commission
for Disabled Persons?
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/)
Disabled applicants who meet the essential
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
criteria in the person specification are
Principles.
What should I do if I think that I have a
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
conflict of interest?
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards
interview under the Disability Commitment, you of behaviour expected of Civil Servants.
Candidates must note the requirement to
should complete the relevant section of the
declare any interests that might cause
online application. It is not necessary to state
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and
questions to be raised about their approach to
the nature of your disability.
open competition, as outlined in the Civil
the business of the Department.
Service Commission’s recruitment principles.
Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview
Should you feel that the recruitment process
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
Scheme for Veterans?
has breached the recruitment principles and
interest, please contact SCS Recruitment on
you wish to make a complaint, you should
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk before
Yes. The Great Place to Work for Veterans
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
submitting your application.
scheme aims to encourage more veterans to
first instance.
join the Civil Service when they leave the
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
armed forces.
If you are not satisfied with the response you
Service Commission?
receive from the Department you are able to
Veteran applicants who meet the minimum
Yes. As this role is one of the more senior
raise a formal complaint in the following order.
selection criteria in the job specification are
posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
will oversee the recruitment process and chair
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00) the selection panel. More detailed information
interview under the Great Place to Work for
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
can be found on the Civil Service Commission
Veterans scheme, you should complete the
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
website.
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)
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Benefits of working for the Ministry of Justice
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and
public sector. Visit
Wellbeing
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, more details.
openness and together - are at the heart of our Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
commitment to create a culture where all our
Allowance
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
workplace.
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
We want to attract and retain the best talent
be complemented by one further day paid
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
We want everyone to be the best of
Birthday.
themselves, to feel supported and have a
Flexible Working
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
While not every type of flexible working will be
suitable for every role and business area,
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
flexible working can take many forms and The
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
people policies and strategies.
business effectively and sustainably by
Benefits
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
As a Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
For more information on our amazing benefits
entitled to a large range of benefits which
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
include but are not limited to:
annual and special leave, and our Equality,
Pension
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all Civil Service can inform decision taken to
2. Processing is of a specific category of
improve these experiences, and ultimately
personal data and it is necessary for the
personal information in accordance organisation performance.
purposes of identifying or keeping under
with data protection legislation,
review the existence or absence of equality
Sensitive personal data is personal data
including the General Data
of opportunity or treatment between groups
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
of people with a view to enabling such
Protection Regulation and Data
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
equality to be promoted or maintained.
trade union membership, and the processing of
Protection Act 2018.
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of 3. Please note if you are successful in your
Data Sharing
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
application your sensitive personal data will
concerning health or data concerning a natural
be used as part of the on-boarding process
To process your application your personal data person's sex life or sexual orientation.
to build your employee record.
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS The legal basis for processing your
For further information please see the GDPR
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members sensitive personal data is:
Privacy Notice.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
recruitment process.
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
substantial public interest for the exercise
The legal basis for processing your
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
personal data is:
Crown, or a government department: it is
Processing is necessary for the performance of
important to know if groups of staff with
a task carried out in the public interest.
specific demographic characteristics have a
Personal data are processed in the public
better or worse experience of working for
interest because understanding civil servant
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
experiences and feelings about working in the
can be taken to level this experience;
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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
If you would 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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