BTR-AO-01

Thinking of joining us?

Our recruitment is based on merit, we welcome applications from all who can commit to our vision and values, we offer considerable flexibility in how you work and expect commitment and flexibility in return. We continue to strive for equity, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our staff group. To this end we very much encourage applications from those people with protected characteristics. Our staff are public servants, eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme and we are accredited by the Civil Service Commission. This means applications from across Civil Service Departments, their agencies and Arms-Length Bodies are treated as internal applicants. We also welcome applications from those who do not currently work in these bodies or the public sector.

Who are we?

The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales (YJB) is the public body which advises Ministers, including the Secretary of State for Justice on the youth justice system. Our ambition is to see a Child First youth justice system. A system which looks to children’s’ strengths and supports children to become the best version of themselves. To this effect we engage with a wide variety of organisations, partners and parties with an interest in youth justice; we share good practice, champion improvement and issue grants.

Our Vision

Working to ensure a youth justice system that sees children as children, treats them fairly and helps them to build on their strengths so they can make a constructive contribution to society. This will prevent offending and create safer communities with fewer victims.

Aims of the Youth Justice System

Prevention of offending by children and young people:

• To reduce the number of children in the youth justice system

• To reduce reoffending by children in the youth justice system

• To improve the safety and wellbeing of children in the youth justice system

• To improve outcomes of children in the youth justice system

Role purpose:

You will support the delivery of key Human Resources and Organisational Development (HR and Organsiational Development) functions to a standard which enhances the YJB’s aim to be an exemplary employer and public sector organisation.

Role context:

The directorate has 6 HR staff members, including this one, and 4 finance staff members. It is responsible for the oversight and delivery of YJB People Strategy and HR & Organisational Development policies, processes and special projects

The People, Finance and Organisational Development directorate is a team of 10 colleagues, including 6 in HR and 4 in finance. Together, the team leads the delivery of the YJB’s People Strategy and provides expert support on HR and Organisational Development policies, processes and key projects.

Key activities and responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Provide a range of administrative support to support the delivery of HR and organisational development services

• Maintain and update accurate records, spreadsheets and trackers, ensuring information is reliable and audit-ready

• Use Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Outlook, Teams, Powerpoint and Word) to manage data, coordinate activity and support effective ways of working

• Organise and support meetings, diaries and inbox management, ensuring timely communication and follow-up

• Prepare meeting materials, minutes and documentation, maintaining clear and structured records

• Support recruitment and onboarding activity, ensuring processes are well organised and records are complete

• Assist with learning and development administration, including booking sessions and maintaining participation records

• Produce routine reports and data summaries to support team and organisational requirements

• Respond to straightforward queries and signpost colleagues to relevant guidance and policies

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, contributing to a professional and inclusive working environment

• Ad hoc finance administration duties

How you will work and key relationships

• Act as a positive influence for the work and culture of the YJB by encouraging positive emotions and positive social exchanges in the workplace.

• At all times, demonstrate support and respect for the YJBs commitment to equity, inclusivity and the diversity of the YJB and its partners

• Set high expectations and live up to them.

• Deliver on the commitments you make.

• Value the contribution of others and nurture positive relationships as well as skills and professional development

• Work positively and collaboratively with colleagues in both England and YJB Cymru as required

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Civil Service Success Profiles,

The assessment process will be made up of two parts:

1. An Application (see below)

2. Interview (see below)

Application Stage:

Please provide:

• A statement (no more than 750 words) giving examples of how you meet the ‘Essential criteria: ‘Skills and Knowledge’ and ‘Ability’ as outlined in the job description.

Interview

For candidates who get to the interview stage it will be a blended interview covering Civil Service behaviours, and strengths as described in the Success Profiles (this is a very particular style of interview please make sure you make yourself aware of these in advance). We may also ask you to elaborate further on the information in your application.

The focus of interview questions will be on:

1. The essential Civil Service Behaviours: Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions and Managing a Quality Service

2. Strengths as described in the Success Profiles (this is a very particular style of interview please make sure you make yourself aware of these in advance).

Reserve List

Those candidates who successfully demonstrate at interview, the behaviours, strengths, and essential criteria required by YJB for the role, but who are not selected as the successful candidate, may be added to a reserve list for 12 months. Candidates on a reserve list may be contacted and offered a role which is sufficiently similar, without further need for application, within the timeframe.

Essential Criteria

Skills and knowledge

? Experience managing information and successfully supporting administrative processes

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining accurate records

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and verbally

• Ability to work effectively with others, building positive working relationships

• A proactive approach to supporting team priorities and delivering a quality service

Ability:

• Confident and highly competent use of Microsoft Office tools, particularly:

• Excel (data entry, trackers, reporting)

• Outlook (email and diary management)

• Teams (communication and collaboration)

• Word (document preparation and formatting)

• PowerPoint ( presentations where required)

Desirable

• Previous experience in an administrative or HR support role

• Experience of working with data, reports or tracking systems

Behaviours:

Managing a Quality Service (lead behaviour)

Delivering at Pace

Making Effective Decisions

Benefits of working for the Youth Justice Board

• Opportunity to work in an organisation that seeks to make a positive difference to the lives of children at risk of entering and within the youth justice system

• Family friendly policies including flexible working opportunities. Many of our staff combine working from our offices in either London or Wales, or working from one of the Ministry of Justice Collaboration Centres/Satellite Offices throughout the country, with working from home; compressed hours, part-time working

• Civil Service Pension Scheme, and/or continuous service transfer of Civil Service Pension Scheme as applicable

• Annual leave of 25 days per annum plus public holidays (or for those transferring directly on a lateral move from Civil Service Departments, their Agencies, Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) and Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPB) we may, subject to confirmation, match current annual leave entitlement, up to 30 days.

• As an accredited NDPB we may, subject to confirmation, accept your continuous service from other Civil Service departments their agencies and ALBs/NDBPs (however all new joiners join on 37 hours per week/ pro-rata for part-time)

• Special recognition bonus scheme

• Special leave for unplanned emergencies and for voluntary work

• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support and advice for personal and work issues and occupational health

• Health and well-being initiatives such as flu-vaccinations

• Free eye tests and eyecare vouchers for VDU workers

• Interest free season ticket loans

• Regular professional development

• Professional HR Case Management support for managers