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General Information

Salary
The national salary is £58,511 - £65,329. London salary is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London, National
Region
London, National
Closing Date
09-Mar-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
14720

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM

The UK National Preventive Mechanism (UKNPM) was established in 2009 following the UK’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). It comprises 21 statutory bodies that independently monitor places of detention to prevent torture and ill-treatment.

The UK’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) was established in March 2009 after the UK ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in December 2003. It is made up of 21 statutory bodies that independently monitor places of detention.

The NPM was set up to ensure regular visits to places of detention in order to prevent torture and other ill-treatment, as required by OPCAT. OPCAT recognises that people in detention are particularly vulnerable and requires States to set up a national level body that can support efforts to prevent their ill treatment. The NPM must have, as a minimum, the powers to:

  • regularly examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in all places of detention under the UK’s jurisdiction and control;
  • make recommendations to relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and conditions of persons deprived of their liberty;
  • submit proposals and observations on existing or draft legislation

The NPM publishes an annual report of its work which is presented to Parliament by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. For further information on the role and work of the NPM, please visit National Preventive Mechanism – National Preventive Mechanism.

This is a senior leadership role requiring collaboration with NPM members, government officials, and international bodies. The post holder will lead delivery of the NPM business plan, manage governance processes, and influence detention policy and practice across the UK.

About The Role

The National Preventive Mechanism is looking for an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Head of the UKNPM Secretariat. This is a key post working in collaboration with 21 NPM-member organisations, their heads and senior staff to provide policy, research and secretarial support to the NPM. This role will manage a large network of relationships and work closely and collaboratively with NPM members and the Chair. They are responsible for driving and managing the work of the NPM, liaising closely with all members to develop consensus on joint priorities and work across the NPM. They will lead on the development of NPM objectives and the development and delivery of an NPM business plan. They will also lead the production of the NPM annual report.

The role involves facilitating collaborative working, balancing competing demands, juggling priorities, and defining clear objectives between different organisations and senior stakeholders. The post holder will draw on the different views and experiences from across the NPM, supporting its 21 member bodies to work together in pursuit of common objectives and influence detention policy and practice in line with international obligations.

The post-holder will liaise on behalf of the NPM with government, international bodies and a wide range of high-level external stakeholders and provide advice and support to its constituent members. This post involves some liaison with relevant international human rights bodies such as the UN treaty body the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) and the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

  • Lead development and delivery of the NPM business plan and annual report.
  • Monitor and report progress to the Steering Group, ensuring effective governance and risk management.
  • Implement recommendations from strategic reviews to strengthen governance, structure, and resources.
  • Provide strategic advice and input into NPM task and finish groups and subgroups.
  • Lead the development of external reports and training materials for a wide variety of issues and audiences.

Coordination & Collaboration

  • Facilitate and promote collaborative working among 21 NPM member organisations.
  • Build consensus on joint priorities and support members to implement OPCAT obligations.
  • Encourage sharing of best practice and human rights expertise across the network.

External Engagement

  • Act as primary liaison between UKNPM members and UK government officials on OPCAT implementation.
  • With the UKNPM Chair where appropriate, represent the NPM to senior stakeholders, NGOs, parliamentarians, and international bodies (e.g., UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, Council of Europe CPT).
  • Speak at external events and manage NPM communications, including social media and policy briefings.

Resource & People Management

  • Manage NPM budget, financial reporting, and resource bids.
  • Line manage the NPM staff team and oversee external consultants.
  • Work collaboratively with the NPM Coordinator in Scotland.

Essential Skills & Experience

  1. Proven ability to support complex, multi-stakeholder organisations and deliver to agreed business plans.
  2. Strong strategic thinking and influencing skills; ability to operate credibly at senior levels across government and civil society.
  3. Experience in policy development, governance, and human rights law application.
  4. Proven experience in managing complex priorities, managing delivery risks effectively.
  5. Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including the ability to be flexible and in motivating diverse and remote teams.
  6. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to manage competing priorities.
  7. Ability to work independently and in a self-motivated way to a high standard.
  8. Expert sector knowledge in criminal justice, health, human rights, or scrutiny.

Desirable

  1. Budget management experience.
  2. Understanding of international torture prevention frameworks.
  3. Experience monitoring places of detention.
  4. Background in policy, communications, or organisational development.
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 role: 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.

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.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.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

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:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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 - 14720

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

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, 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
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected Monday 13th April & Tuesday 14th April 2026
Behaviours
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Level of security checks required
DBS Enhanced
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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.