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General Information

Salary
£40,014 - £42,859
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
26-Mar-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15566

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title                          Head of Policy Review Team

Group Profile                ISD – Information Services Division

                                            Records Management Service

Grade                               Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Overview of Security and Information Directorate (SID)            

SID is part of the Service Transformation Group. The Group 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, Government Knowledge and Information Management profession 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.

Team Profile

Information Services Division is responsible for ensuring the MOJ:

  • Manages its information so that it knows what is held and where it is held - Knowledge management and Records management
  • Holds its information in compliance with legislation and is accessible – Data protection and freedom of information
  • Is clear who owns the information and that they understand their responsibilities – Knowledge management
  • Holds its information securely – Information assurance

Records Management Service

This post sits in the Records Management Service (RMS) which is part of SID and an integral part of the MOJ, managing the records of the department. 

We are responsible for electronic and paper records in compliance with the provisions of the Secretary of State’s Code of Practice on the management of records issued under section 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

We work within a legislative framework (Public Records Act 1958 and 1967 (PRA), UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)) and in accordance with guidelines set by independent inquiries to obtain, store safeguard and preserve records, making them available to the public where appropriate.

Summary       

The postholder will be required to ensure the programme of review of historical records remains on target and selected records are ready for transfer to The National Archives (TNA) in line with the Public records Act (PRA).

Managing the Policy Review Team (five Executive Officers) who are based at 102 Petty France, in accordance with relevant HR policies, leading and inspiring the team, promoting inclusion, celebrating diversity and acting as a role model for colleagues

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties   

All MOJ records retained by business areas/courts have to be reviewed when they are approximately 20 years old to determine whether they should be permanently preserved at The National Archives (TNA), forming part of our national historical record.

The team works within a legislative framework (Public Records Act 1958 and 1967, GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000) and in accordance with guidelines set by independent inquiries to obtain, store safeguard and preserve records, making them available to the public where appropriate.

The records are both paper and digital, both need to be reviewed to determine historical importance. This is where the processes for reviewing paper-based records will require transformation and adaptation to fit with more digital ways of working. There will be a manual handling aspect to the role. There is also the potential to handle information of a distressing nature, due to the content of MoJ records held and the successful candidate will need to be able to view these in a professional manner.

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.

  • Meeting the allocated review targets as outlined in the team annual plan
  • Checking review decisions made by the Review Team to ensure clear and concise decisions have been provided showing justification for file destruction, transferring files to TNA or retaining file for continuing preservation, applying appropriate legal exemptions to information where necessary
  • Working closely with RMS Registrar who has overall responsibility for managing records moving in and out of the Registry at 102 Petty France
  • Manage requests for information held and relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Providing a fast, efficient professional service adhering to departmental guidelines and strive to continually improve whilst meeting stakeholder needs
  • Assisting DDRO and Head of Records Review with any ad hoc duties as required.

We are looking for an outstanding candidate who will pick up this challenge quickly and work within a busy area to fulfil the ambition to drive the move towards improved records management, preservation of records or deletion (where necessary).

We are looking for someone with excellent leadership and collaboration skills, who is approachable, enthusiastic and is wanting to deliver a quality service to the Department and its customers, identifying opportunities for new ways of working.

Essential criteria

Experience of Records Management with an ability to deal with complex/large amounts of information

  • Team work and leadership
  • Ability to plan and organise
  • Experience of delivering and embedding change, seeking out new opportunities to complete tasks more efficiently and adding value to processes, working with others do develop and deliver shared goals
  • Collaborative working with a wide range of stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales.

Desirable criteria

  • Knowledge of PRA, GDPR legislation, Data Protection Act 2018, and Freedom of Information Act 2000
  • Ability to complete Manual handling
  • General skills in project management

Application Process              

This vacancy will be assessed using Success Profiles:

The Civil Service recruits using Success Profiles. This means for each role we advertise; we consider what the candidate will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

A Success Profile is made up of 5 elements:

  • behaviours - the actions and activities that people do which result in effective performance in a job
  • strengths - the things we do regularly, do well and that motivate us
  • ability - the aptitude or potential to perform to the required standard
  • experience - the knowledge or mastery of an activity or subject gained through involvement in or exposure to it
  • technical - the demonstration of specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications

Not all the elements are relevant to every role, and will vary depending on the profession, level and type of role.

 Success Profiles - GOV.UK

CV (maximum 2 A4 pages) 

personal statement of no more than 1000 words (font size minimum Arial 11) which describes how you meet the requirements set out in the responsibilities section and, essential and desirable criteria listed above. 

45-minute panel interview with strength questions and following behaviours

  • Leadership
  • Making effective decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Changing and Improving
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 - 15566

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, Making Effective Decisions, 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
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected 13th April, 14th April 2026
Behaviours
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
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.