Descriptions & requirements
Please note that external candidates will be offered Fixed Term contracts for 12 months with the possibility of an extension (subject to funding), existing Civil Service employees will be onboarded on secondment terms and conditions.
If you are a civil servant on a permanent contract and you are successful, we will discuss with your current line manager to put in place a loan or secondment from your current position. If you are currently a lower grade than the one you have applied for, you will be given a Temporary Responsibility Allowance.
Please note that unless you are currently employed by the civil service and are earning more than the minimum shown above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location.
Overview
The MoJ Property Directorate is a customer focused organisation that exists to enable our customers to perform to their very best. We do this by providing high quality, easy to use services, and working environments that our customers want to work in, which support them to deliver their individual outputs efficiently. Our job is to manage one of the most diverse and complex estates in Government – hosted by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Our remit brings together a property portfolio including Prisons, Probation, and MoJ HQ and Arm’s Length Bodies.
MoJ Property provides specialist services including facilities management, health and safety, fire safety and security, technical design expertise, and sustainability. We also have business management teams who support the entire Directorate and each of our partners is supported by account management teams. We are responsible for a great deal - our portfolio consists of properties valued at £9.3bn for the MoJ alone. We are part of the Government Property Profession (GPP) and through active membership and engagement we will work with the Office of Government Property to develop the maturity of the profession and also encourage our people to join the GPP. We continue to build our capability through training and recruitment, aspiring to be the best that we can be as individuals and as a directorate.
We continue to deliver new ways of working across our portfolio – leading on the scale and pace of activity for central government – proposing ways to achieve, and then providing more dynamic and flexible workspace, while driving down the cost of the estate.
Team Overview
The Change and Capability team sits within the Property Transformation Programme, which is part of the MOJ Property Directorate. The team leads in the implementation of the People Strategy, identifying resource and capability gaps, and in the production and delivery of any necessary training across HMPPS and MoJ HQ functions, providing consistency in the approach of raising capability and professionalisation with BAU directorate teams. It is responsible for leading the change management process, adherence to the relevant policies relating to the change process including; job evaluation, weighting and conducting Impact Assessments for MoJ staff and facilitating change management workshops.
The People and Change SEO will be managed by the Change and Capability G7 Lead and maybe required to line manage a HEO in the team.
Job Description, Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include the following:
Responsible for leading a small team of HEO and EO staff, the post holder will manage and oversee the review, development, introduction and monitoring of the below areas;
- communications and engagement,
- culture and change approach
The holder of these roles will have the opportunity to support and shape work at all stages and will hold a selection of the following responsibilities;
- Leading a team to ensure robust management of the area of responsibility for the Directorate.
- Planning and delivery of initiatives to improve process and to align development to the needs of the Directorate
- Oversee engagement activity on area of responsibility in collaboration with colleagues in the wider People, Communications & Engagement and OCPO teams. Ensuring effective and high-quality routine and ad hoc communications are shared with the Directorate providing colleagues with the key information they require.
- Ensure performance, pace and quality is maintained for the delivery of area of responsibility to the Directorate.
- Prepare guidance and best practice and look for improvements to processes and procedures.
- Driving improvements for the Directorate, including development of material to support colleagues.
- Provide a go-to service for queries related to area of responsibility in the Directorate seeking to assist colleagues with issues and requests and signpost to resources where necessary.
- Working with internal and external stakeholders including the Senior Management Team to understand their team’s needs within the Directorate – delivering and advising on routes to meet these needs.
- Maintain relevant stakeholder relationships & networks
- Identifying priority work and resourcing pressures and allocating resources accordingly.
- Supporting the team to develop competence and expertise to deliver a quality service to the Directorate in achievement of the team’s objectives.
- Line management and countersigning duties
Expectations of post holder in executing the role
- Strong leadership is a critical element of this role, as is the ability to prioritise and manage a workload, manipulate and analyse complex information, present information and recommendations and make effective decisions.
- Confidence in supporting and leading staff engagement sessions
- Post Holders are expected to display a commitment to continuous improvement, leading change, and improving performance.
- Post holders must provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greatest efficiencies.
Skills and Experience
- Experience of management in either a People focused role and/or Business Management
- An ability to analyse and interpret data and use it to make appropriate decisions.
- Experience of developing new ways of working
- Strong experience of preparing effective written and oral communications to disseminate information to a variety of audiences and to influence outcomes
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, taking responsibility for outcomes
- Proven track record in building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide variety of people, including senior officials.
- Excellent persuading and influencing skills.
- Proactive, with excellent organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure and to tight timescales.
- Proven ability to work flexibly, responding to change and unexpected requests.
- The ability to think and work strategically.
- Understanding of the Directorate priorities and key areas of importance
Behaviours
We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Delivering at Pace
Flexible working hours
The Property Directorate offers a flexible working system in many teams.
Requests for reduced hours contracts will be considered in line with business needs.
We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. We are happy to accommodate any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Non-civil service candidates will start on the pay band minimum.
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
- 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.
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.
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: 18447
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: 18447
Job Description Attachment
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PTP Candidate Pack - January 2026.pptx (Job Description Supporting Documents)
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PTP SEO People & Change Manager.docx (Job Description Attachment)
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
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.