Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Criminal Justice System Programme Strategy Manager

Location: National*

Closing Date: 4th June 2025

Interviews: from 26^th June 2025 (this may be subject to change)

Grade: SEO

(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)

Salary: £41,463 - £45,276 (National), £47,657 - £52,040 (London)

Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working

Contract Type: Permanent

*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found ON THIS MAP

The Role

We’re recruiting for a CJS Programme Strategy Manager here at the Ministry of Justice , to be part of our warm and collaborative Data Directorate.

About the Team

The CJS Data Improvement Programme is a joint initiative led by the Ministry of Justice and Home Office, in close partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service, to transform how we use data across the criminal justice system. In the short term, we are creating new tools and ways of working that will help join up data between different parts of the CJS, making it easier to understand how individuals flow through the system from offence through to sentencing, prison, and probation. This will help decision-makers across the system make better informed and evidenced choices about policies and services. Our long-term vision is to work with CJS stakeholders to shape an ambitious future strategy for CJS data.

For further information, read our blog from last year on Improving Data in the Criminal Justice System .

Why join us?

We are driving ambitious strategic change, delivering innovative data projects and having impact and influence across the CJS data space - making this an incredibly exciting programme to be part of.

• Strong Support: This is an opportunity to work on a high-profile programme with significant ministerial interest and support to improve how data is linked, shared, and accessed across the CJS.

• Transformational Impact: Our programme is delivering trailblazing ambitions. For example, development of our linked cross-CJS dataset will open up a world of linked data that hasn't been explored before, which will greatly enhance our understanding of the CJS and will directly influence strategic, policy and operational decisions.

• Cross-Government Collaboration: The role provides significant opportunity to work with stakeholders across the CJS, including the Police, Home Office, Crown Prosecution Service, as well as wider government such as Number 10, Cabinet Office, Treasury, and Ministry of Justice partners such as HMCTS and HMPPS. Your work will cross departmental boundaries and provide excellent opportunities to lead on joint stakeholder initiatives.

Why Work in the Data Directorate?

The CJS Data Improvement Programme sits within the Data Directorate. We are committed to creating an environment where all our people feel valued for who they are and the work they contribute. Working in the Data Directorate offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of data transformation in government, while being part of an inclusive workplace that provides flexible working arrangements and competitive benefits as part of our people offer.

Key Responsibilities:

This role is a challenging but exciting new position designed to support the long-term aims of the CJS Data Improvement Programme. Within this, you’ll assist with the delivery of the new data enabling function’s objectives, helping turn vision into reality.

Work will include:

• Supporting the design and implementation of the future 'CJS Data Function', working with stakeholders across government to get consensus and agreement.

• Working with cross-CJS stakeholders to define the scope and ambition for longer-term data improvement initiatives.

• Leading on day-to-day evaluation activities for the programme in close collaboration with our evaluation lead

• Engage with cross-CJS stakeholders to gather relevant data, insights, and feedback to inform the development of business cases and ensure alignment with strategic goals.

• Contribute to the development of programme strategies, ensuring programme priorities align with overarching departmental and government objectives.

• Provide strategic advice and guidance to senior leadership based on analysis and evaluation of programme performance and outcomes.

• Build, maintain, and own effective relationships with stakeholders across government departments, agencies, and external partners.

• Represent the programme and department in meetings, workshops, and forums, fostering collaboration and driving consensus on key initiatives.

If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!

Benefits

● 37 hours per week and flexible working options including working from home, working part-time, job sharing, or working compressed hours.

● A £1k per person learning budget is in place to support all our people, with access to best-in-class conferences and seminars, accreditation with professional bodies, fully funded vocational programmes and e-learning platforms

● Staff have 10% time to dedicate to develop & grow

● Generous civil service pension based on defined benefit scheme, with employer contributions of 28.97% from April 1st 2024 (Contribution Rates )

● 25 days leave (plus bank holidays) and 1 privilege day usually taken around the Kings’ birthday. 5 additional days of leave once you have reached 5 years of service.

● Compassionate maternity, adoption, and shared parental leave policies, with up to 26 weeks leave at full pay, 13 weeks with partial pay, and 13 weeks further leave. And maternity support/paternity leave at full pay for 2 weeks, too!

● Wellbeing support including access to the Calm app.

● Bike loans up to £2500 and secure bike parking (subject to availability and location)

● Season ticket loans, childcare vouchers and eye-care vouchers.

● 5 days volunteering paid leave.

● Free membership to BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT.

● Some offices may have a subsidised onsite Gym.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Proven experience in influencing and shaping the strategic direction of work to ensure alignment with wider priorities

• Proven ability to build cross-organisational relationships, including managing diverse stakeholders to foster collaboration

• Proven ability to confidently and independently deliver projects

• Ability and desire to work in changeable, fast-paced environments where priorities and timings may flex

• Have experience and confidence in presenting and communicating with both senior and technical audiences, both written and orally

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 D&I Strategy .

How to Apply

Candidates must submit an anonymised CV, personal statement (max 750 words) and a lead criterion (max 250 words), which describes how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification above.

We are recruiting using the Success Profiles Framework. We will assess your experience and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:

● Seeing the Big Picture

● Communicating and Influencing

● Making Effective Decisions

● Working Together

A diverse panel will review your application against the Person Specification above.

Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1hour panel interview held via video conference. Candidates will also be required to provide a 5-minute presentation during the interview stage.

Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on the lead criterion (Proven experience in influencing and shaping the strategic direction of work to ensure alignment with wider priorities) will be conducted.

Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for but demonstrate the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and offer you the position without needing a further application.

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms & Conditions which set out how we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact recruitment@digital.justice.gov.uk

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 6128

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Ministry of Justice

6128 - Criminal Justice System Programme Strategy Manager

General Information

Descriptions & requirements

Benefits

Person Specification

How to Apply

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