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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
05-Jul-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 1
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18828

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The Deputy Ombudsman – Learning, Analysis and Business Services (LABS), is responsible for leading work to maximise the organisation’s impact on prisons, probation and the Home Office. They ensure thematic learning from the PPO’s investigations is shared with services in remit to drive change in improving prison complaints handling and reducing the number of fatal incidents.

The post holder is responsible for driving the PPO’s special investigations, commissioned by justice ministers, determining the scope and resourcing of these investigations and/or undertaking them. This aspect of the role has expanded considerably over recent years and is a trend we expect to continue.

The post holder is also responsible for directing all of the business processes that support the day to day running of the PPO.

They provide leadership and direction to all staff within the LABS function at the PPO, ensuring that effective management and administrative systems are in place, fit for purpose and fully functional.

The postholder must be a high performing and experienced leader with a broad skill set who is able to work at pace across a wide range of issues and deal with daily conflicting priorities. They must have the ability to coach and support direct reports to provide inspirational leadership for a function with a current complement of 24 posts.

Additional Information
Please view our candidate information pack for full details about the role, key responsibilities, person specification, and the criteria you will be assessed against throughout the recruitment process.

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 you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential and desirable criteria.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Week commencing 27th July 2026
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
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.