This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
General Information
Salary
The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182 London salary range is £49,325- £53,081 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
05-May-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
16967
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Job title: HR Business Partner
Directorate: Human Resources
Grade SEO
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
About the role
There are also opportunities in the HR Change Business Partner space, supporting national programmes and projects that are driving improvements across the organisation. In addition to these permanent HR Business Partner positions, there is a fixed term Change HR Business Partner role, with possible view to permanency. Whichever area you operate in, we’re looking for HR professionals with strong partnering skills that can work with a variety of stakeholders.
The HR Business Partner provides high‑quality strategic and operational support to Senior HR Business Partners, working closely with senior leaders to address complex people and business challenges. Acting as a trusted advisor and critical friend, the role supports the delivery of HR priorities that align with organisational objectives and the People and Culture strategy.
You will contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies, practices and initiatives, ensuring consistency and best practice across the organisation. The role involves analysing people data to generate insight, shape evidence‑based recommendations and support effective decision‑making. You may also take a lead on specific HR projects, including those linked to organisational change programmes.
Who are we looking for? (Person Specification)
Essential Skills
• Highly developed analytical skills, with experience using data and insight to inform recommendations and decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present options clearly and persuasively
• Proven problem‑solving skills with a solutions‑focused mindset
• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan ahead
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple pieces of work effectively
• Flexible and adaptable approach, responding effectively to changing business needs
• Confident working independently while collaborating across HR and the wider organisation
• CIPD qualification or willingness to work towards this.
How to apply
Application Stage
Your CV should:
• Be succinct and clear.
• Be factually accurate – You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, is truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
• Include your qualifications, highlighting any modules or accreditation relevant to the role.
• Include your relevant experience, providing dates.
• Provide detail – we are interested in how your knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrate the capabilities we are looking for in this role.
• Behaviour examples illustrating the Civil Service Behaviours (up to 250 words each):
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on your CV and Seeing the Bigger Picture as the lead criteria. Candidates who pass this initial sift will progress to a full sift where all application assessment criteria will be assessed
Interview Stage
If successful at sift, you will be invited to attend a remote interview, via Microsoft Teams. During your interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Success Profiles which will include:
• Question(s) in relation to the Civil Service behaviours:
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Travel requirements
If appointed to the HRBP role for National Services, you will be expected to travel occasionally to other locations in the country. One of the HRBP roles will partner the London region and Royal Courts of Justice Group, requiring monthly travel to Central London for meetings.
Location
These posts are based nationally.
Opportunities for development
HMCTS is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
You will have the opportunity to work towards a CIPD qualification.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship
From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time.
The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.
If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
About our benefits
We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family
friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.
Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.
Directorate: Human Resources
Grade SEO
About us
HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice. We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.
About the role
This role sits within the HMCTS HRBP Team and HR Operations. We are seeking two HR Business Partners; both will work alongside a Senior HRBP to partner either the London Region and Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ) or National Services Directorate.
These are exciting and varied roles, offering opportunities to work strategically and at pace with senior operational leaders to drive up performance and support organisational change.
There are also opportunities in the HR Change Business Partner space, supporting national programmes and projects that are driving improvements across the organisation. In addition to these permanent HR Business Partner positions, there is a fixed term Change HR Business Partner role, with possible view to permanency. Whichever area you operate in, we’re looking for HR professionals with strong partnering skills that can work with a variety of stakeholders.
The HR Business Partner provides high‑quality strategic and operational support to Senior HR Business Partners, working closely with senior leaders to address complex people and business challenges. Acting as a trusted advisor and critical friend, the role supports the delivery of HR priorities that align with organisational objectives and the People and Culture strategy.
You will contribute to the development and implementation of HR policies, practices and initiatives, ensuring consistency and best practice across the organisation. The role involves analysing people data to generate insight, shape evidence‑based recommendations and support effective decision‑making. You may also take a lead on specific HR projects, including those linked to organisational change programmes.
Working collaboratively with HR expert services and business leaders, you will help embed positive people practices across areas such as workforce planning, wellbeing, capability, culture, resourcing, and talent and succession planning. This role offers the opportunity to influence at a senior level while developing strong strategic HR experience.
Who are we looking for? (Person Specification)
The successful candidate will have HR experience or will have delivered people strategies. They will have strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to operate effectively with senior stakeholders. You will demonstrate sound judgement, resilience and flexibility, alongside the ability to manage multiple, competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
You will be analytical and solutions‑focused, using data and insight to identify trends, risks and opportunities, and to support informed business decisions. A collaborative approach is essential, as is the ability to challenge constructively and provide clear, credible advice.The role requires a forward‑thinking mindset, with the ability to anticipate the impacts of wider organisational change and adapt plans accordingly. You will be comfortable working independently within established HR and policy frameworks, knowing when to escalate and when to take ownership.
Essential Skills
• Strong stakeholder and relationship management skills, with the ability to influence and coach senior leaders
• Broad HR knowledge across key people areas, for example, workforce planning, wellbeing, capability, culture, resourcing, and talent management• Highly developed analytical skills, with experience using data and insight to inform recommendations and decisions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present options clearly and persuasively
• Proven problem‑solving skills with a solutions‑focused mindset
• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan ahead
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple pieces of work effectively
• Flexible and adaptable approach, responding effectively to changing business needs
• Confident working independently while collaborating across HR and the wider organisation
Desirable
• CIPD qualification or willingness to work towards this.
How to apply
Application Stage
Please submit:
• An anonymised CV. Please ensure your CV is uploaded in a simple format to prevent any formatting issues when it is downloaded or reviewed. Your CV should:
• Be succinct and clear.
• Be factually accurate – You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, is truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
• Include your qualifications, highlighting any modules or accreditation relevant to the role.
• Include your relevant experience, providing dates.
• Provide detail – we are interested in how your knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrate the capabilities we are looking for in this role.
• Behaviour examples illustrating the Civil Service Behaviours (up to 250 words each):
- Seeing the big picture (lead Behaviour)
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making effective decisions
- Working together
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial sift will be conducted on your CV and Seeing the Bigger Picture as the lead criteria. Candidates who pass this initial sift will progress to a full sift where all application assessment criteria will be assessed
Interview Stage
If successful at sift, you will be invited to attend a remote interview, via Microsoft Teams. During your interview, you will be assessed against the following Civil Service Success Profiles which will include:
• Question(s) in relation to the Civil Service behaviours:
- Seeing the big picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making effective decisions
- Working together
Working pattern
Flexible working, Full-time
Travel requirements
If appointed to the HRBP role for National Services, you will be expected to travel occasionally to other locations in the country. One of the HRBP roles will partner the London region and Royal Courts of Justice Group, requiring monthly travel to Central London for meetings.
Location
These posts are based nationally.
Opportunities for development
HMCTS is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
You will have the opportunity to work towards a CIPD qualification.
Skilled Worker Sponsorship
From 22 July 2025, the Government increased the salary threshold and skills level for Skilled Worker visas. This role does not meet the eligibility criteria for sponsorship in accordance with the current immigration rules if you looking to apply for a Skilled Worker Visa for the first time.
The Department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously since before 22 July 2025. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place.
If you are applying for this role and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship (or the transitional provisions), you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.
The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.
About our benefits
We reward our people for their hard work and commitment. We have a number of family
friendly and flexible working polices that will help you achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition, we offer a range of employee benefits which include generous annual leave, a highly competitive contributory pension scheme, childcare benefits, season ticket and bicycle loans.
Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- 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 16967
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 16967
Job Description Attachment
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HRBP - SEO - JD.docx (Job Description Attachment)
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, 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
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Interviews expected w/c 25th May but this could be subject to change.
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
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
DBS Basic
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.