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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Leeds, London
Region
London, North East
Closing Date
21-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 1
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18509

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

This is a stretching and high-profile role that would suit a confident and experienced policy professional. Leading a team of around 32 FTE, the responsibilities span a range of complex, challenging and often controversial topics, with high levels of stakeholder, political and media interest.

The postholder will need to gain and maintain the confidence of ministers and senior officials across government, and handle relationships involving, amongst others, the senior judiciary, the legal profession, academia, and international organisations.

The postholder will also need to be a credible and effective representative of the United Kingdom on the international stage, including in public forums, and comfortable with operating in highly political areas and defending the Government’s position while maintaining appropriate civil service boundaries.

A key element of the role is the ability to pivot rapidly between diverse policy subjects, and to become quickly familiar with new issues as they emerge. Many topics require a good degree of legal understanding, and specific subject-matter knowledge relating to one or more parts of the role would be advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, you will:

  • Oversee policy on human rights in UK law, including the operation of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its interaction with other legislation including the devolution settlements;
  • Lead jointly with the FCDO on policy across Government on the European Convention on Human Rights, and oversee Ministry of Justice interests in the Council of Europe;
  • Ensure the effective performance of UK legal obligations under United Nations and Council of Europe human rights treaties, including notably leading the representation of the UK to UN treaty bodies and the UN Universal Periodic Review.
  • Hold responsibility for the effective operation of the system of closed material procedure, with responsibility for a seven-figure budget funded from users across government;
  • Lead on policy on judicial review, especially regarding how challenges are brought against nationally significant infrastructure projects;
  • Ensure the full performance of Ministry of Justice legal obligations relating to better regulation, equalities and the Welsh language;
  • Engage effectively with and represent the Government to a broad range of stakeholders across all policy responsibilities, including from the judiciary, legal profession, academia and international organisations;
  • Secure effective coordination and shared prioritisation with partner teams across government departments and agencies, and
  • Lead, support and develop a team of around 32 FTE, securing its resilience and delivery.

Additional Responsibilities

  • You will also be a key member of the IRCPD leadership team and expected to take responsibility for sponsoring and guiding elements of the corporate and staff engagement work of the directorate.

Essential Experience:

  • Fast-paced delivery leading a complex and politically sensitive policy area, working collaboratively with colleagues across government.
  • An ability to establish, inspire and maintain high performing teams, demonstrating personal resilience and supporting it in the team.
  • Strong understanding of the political and legal landscape both in the UK and internationally.
  • Highly effective communication skills, demonstrating credibility with Ministers and an ability to represent and influence with senior external stakeholders.
  • Agility in working across a highly diverse set of issues, synthesising complex information and presenting it clearly to senior audiences to enable decision-making.

Desirable Experience:

  • Legal understanding relevant to the responsibilities of the role
  • Experience working internationally and/or with multilateral organisations
Additional Information

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

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.

Contact Information
If you require any assistance please contact us on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference in your email to enable us to support you more quickly.

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
It is important that your Statement of Suitability give evidence and examples of how you meet the essential experience and abilities and desirable experience:

Essential Experience:
• Fast-paced delivery leading a complex and politically sensitive policy area, working collaboratively with colleagues across government.
• An ability to establish, inspire and maintain high performing teams, demonstrating personal resilience and supporting it in the team.
• Strong understanding of the political and legal landscape both in the UK and internationally.
• Highly effective communication skills, demonstrating credibility with Ministers and an ability to represent and influence with senior external stakeholders.
• Agility in working across a highly diverse set of issues, synthesising complex information and presenting it clearly to senior audiences to enable decision-making.
Desirable Experience:
• Legal understanding relevant to the responsibilities of the role
• Experience working internationally and/or with multilateral organisations
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Week commencing 13th July 2025
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
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
Developed Vetting (DV)

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.