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About the role

The IU has recently joined the MoJ’s new Performance Delivery Unit (PDU) and provides the department with clear, practical insight into the drivers of performance and system challenges and ‘what works’ when it comes to improving performance.

We are recruiting for 2 Senior Implementation Advisers. In this role you will be responsible for delivering high-profile IU projects, working as part of small project teams, taking projects from scoping through to final report and presentation. You will engage directly with decision-makers, senior officials and frontline staff, turning complex evidence into clear, actionable recommendations that help drive improvements across the justice system.

You will also play a central and collaborative role within our bespoke team: strengthening our methods, tools and ways of working, and empowering and supporting colleagues.

With implementation and performance improvement a recently-affirmed Ministerial and Executive priority, this is an exciting time to join the team and help shape policy and operational decision-making at a crucial moment of change for the justice system.

About the team

The IU sits at the centre of the department, in the Performance Delivery Unit (PDU), within the newly-formed Planning, Performance, and Risk (PPR) Directorate.

The PDU can be commissioned by Ministers and ExCo to support priority areas by surfacing underlying causes of performance challenges, identifying practical levers for improvement, and bringing these insights into decision making and improvement planning.

The IU has an established reputation and methodology for conducting 2-4 month deep-dives sourcing and analysing qualitative data and insights from frontline staff to understand the ‘why’ behind the data.

The Directorate has five divisions, including the Planning and Performance Capability Office; the Performance Analysis Division; the Performance Delivery Unit; the Risk and Governance team; and the Departmental Operations Centre (DOC).  The directorate was created to strengthen the MoJ’s ability to deliver departmental priorities by bringing together performance insight, delivery assurance and targeted intervention within a single, cohesive structure; enabling a step change in performance management across the department and the building of a high-performance culture. 

The directorate ensures that our existing performance and planning processes are robust, evidence-based, and aligned to departmental priorities and the Justice Delivery Plan and is delivering a new programme of performance activity to influence the culture and behaviour of the organisation.    

The team has a wide range of experience - some have worked in different parts of MoJ and other government departments, others have joined from outside the Civil Service, and some have previous experience working in frontline roles. We have a friendly, supportive and collaborative team culture that encourages learning and development on an individual and team level. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice.

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

Job description

As a Senior Implementation Adviser, you will:

• Support the delivery of IU projects from scoping through to final report, leading on aspects where required.

• Gather and analyse frontline evidence, combining qualitative and quantitative sources to deliver clear, evidence-based insights.

• Translate complex findings into clear, compelling reports - using written as well as visual design techniques to make messages easy to understand and ensuring they land persuasively with Ministers, senior stakeholders and delivery partners.

• Support the provision of engaging workshops and presentations, from initial scoping sessions to sharing project findings- bringing together stakeholders with sometimes conflicting views, and facilitating constructive discussions that influence outcomes.

• Build collaborative, trusting relationships with colleagues, policy teams and executive agencies within the department and across government

• Innovate IU processes and tools, and help shape future project opportunities by building networks across the department.

Main Activities/Responsibilities 

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities: 

• Proactively engaging the project steering group and key stakeholders to scope projects - including comfortably using issue trees, conducting literature reviews, and analysing data.

• Designing and delivering structured fieldwork, including stakeholder interviews, workshops and site visits, to gather frontline and system-level insight.

• Analysing qualitative and quantitative evidence to identify root causes, system bottlenecks and practical opportunities for improvement.

• Working closely with policy, operational, analytical, and functional colleagues to develop evidence-based, deliverable recommendations.

• Contributing to the development of clear, compelling products for senior audiences, including Ministers, senior officials and cross-agency boards.

• Supporting effective project management, including maintaining delivery plans, tracking risks and issues, and escalating where appropriate.

• Building and maintaining strong and collaborative working relationships with colleagues, policy teams, and operational teams across MoJ and external partners  

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience of leading or contributing to complex projects or reviews and delivering to tight deadlines with a high degree of autonomy.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources and identify clear, evidence-based conclusions.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues clearly to senior stakeholders.

• Confidence engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including operational colleagues and senior leaders, and handling differing perspectives constructively.

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple stages and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment 

Desirable

• Experience working with

• Experience working with senior governance processes 

• Experience working on high-profile or politically sensitive issues 

• Experience of qualitative research methods, including interviews, focus groups or workshop facilitation 

• Experience of quantitative research methods, including data analysis, identifying and analysing patterns, and identifying and exploring relationships between variables

Please note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates. 

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.

Sift

Please provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours below:

• Delivering at Pace 

• Making Effective Decisions 

• Working Together 

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours#why-we-assess-behaviours

Experience

To apply, you will need to submit a statement of suitability (no more than 750 words). Your SoS should evidence your relevant skills and experience with reference to the essential criteria listed in the job description, and why you believe you are a suitable candidate for this role.

In the event of large number of applications, an initial sift will be carried out using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on the Behaviours listed above, and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.

You will also be asked to give a short presentation (5 minutes) at interview. Details will be sent to those candidates invited to interview.