JOB DESCRIPTION

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)
MoJ is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

Public Bodies Directorate
The Public Bodies and Public Appointments Directorate sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice, leading sponsorship and governance relationships and making appointments across one of the largest and most complex public bodies portfolios in Government. Our bodies deliver critical public-facing services spanning prisons, probation, youth justice, legal services, family justice, parole, criminal case review and wider constitutional and oversight functions. 

This is a high-profile and exciting time to join the Directorate. Reform and strengthening of public bodies sponsorship and public appointments processes is a priority for Ministers and senior departmental leadership, with a strong focus on improving delivery, governance, diversity of representation and public confidence across the justice system. 

The Directorate offers a unique opportunity to influence real-world outcomes by supporting excellent leadership, governance and accountability across some of the justice system's most important institutions. 

We are a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team that works closely together to solve problems, navigate complexity and drive continuous improvement. We value creativity, sound judgement and strong relationships, and are proud to contribute to a justice system that serves the public effectively and fairly. 

About the Role

As an SEO Sponsor, you will lead the day-to-day sponsorship relationship with one or more Public Bodies, supporting effective oversight, sound governance, and alignment with departmental priorities and the Cabinet Office Sponsorship Code.

You will provide risk-based insight on organisational performance, governance, and delivery, supporting senior colleagues to provide assurance to ministers and senior leaders. The role requires strong judgement, the ability to identify and escalate emerging risks and issues, and confidence in working across complex stakeholder environments.

Acting as a key interface between the department and Public Bodies, you will build effective relationships with Boards, senior executives, policy teams, and corporate functions to support accountability and delivery. You will coordinate assurance activity, monitor organisational performance, and support governance and compliance processes across your portfolio.

The role also includes supporting public appointments activity, contributing to board effectiveness, and helping to strengthen the department’s wider approach to sponsorship, governance, and continuous improvement.

Main Activities / Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day sponsorship relationships with a portfolio of Public Bodies, supporting effective governance, accountability, and alignment with departmental priorities and the Cabinet Office Sponsorship Code.

• Monitor organisational performance, governance, delivery, and risk, providing timely insight and escalating issues where appropriate.

• Support the coordination and delivery of quarterly and bi-annual business assurance meetings, ensuring effective oversight of organisational performance, governance, and risk management.

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Public Bodies, including Boards, senior executives, policy teams, and corporate stakeholders.

• Support the preparation of reporting, briefings, and assurance products for senior leaders and departmental governance forums.

• Support public appointments activity by coordinating information and contributing insight on organisational priorities and governance needs.

• Work collaboratively across the Public Bodies Centre of Expertise and wider department to share best practice and contribute to continuous improvement in sponsorship and assurance capability.

Management of Resources

• This role does not currently include direct line management responsibility.

Essential Criteria

• Experience of building effective relationships and influencing senior stakeholders, including Boards, senior executives, or corporate functions.

• Experience of providing governance, assurance, or performance oversight within a complex organisational environment.

• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret governance, performance, risk, and organisational information, exercise sound judgement, identify emerging issues, and provide clear recommendations or advice.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with Public Bodies.

• Experience of leading or coordinating assurance, performance, or risk management processes.

• Knowledge of Cabinet Office Sponsorship Code, Managing Public Money, and public appointments processes.

• Experience of contributing to senior governance forums or committees.

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.

Application stage

CV - please provide an anonymised copy

Statement of Suitability - Your statement of suitability will be used to assess how well you meet the essential criteria set out above. In your statement of suitability, please provide evidence of your experience of providing governance, assurance, or performance oversight within a complex organisational environment. You should demonstrate strong strategic thinking, the ability to analyse complex information and risks, and experience of building effective relationships and influencing stakeholders

Behaviour - Please provide examples of how you have met the Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using statement of suitability.

Feedback will not be provided at sift stage.

Interview stage

Interviews will be held virtually via MS Teams.

All applicants that progress to interview will be assessed on Behaviours below:

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead Behaviour)

• Managing a Quality Service

• Working Together

• Seeing The Big Picture

• Communicating & Influencing

You will also be asked Strength based questions

If you wish to find out more about the role, please contact David.Winks@justice.gov.uk

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