Ministry of Justice

About us

Are you interested in developing a career with a real purpose? We are looking for individuals who are committed to public service and to make a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice.  If this sounds like you, please apply.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Joining us is a chance to play a pivotal role in the smooth running of our courts, which give people and businesses access to potentially life-changing justice. Not only will your work be of crucial importance for those who use our services, you’ll be able to build a varied, challenging and rewarding career

This is a general job description covering the likely scope of work of the post holder.

Overview

As a HEO leader within HMCTS the jobholder must provide clear direction and focus and visibly champion the changes which will deliver greater efficiencies and improve customer service. HMCTS’ Senior Management Team expects all leaders to operate in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement and empowerment, and by delivering results.

The key purpose of the role is to:

• Support the Heads of Civil and Family, Deputy Head of Civil and Family and Operations Managers by being responsible for and supporting key Warrant of Control Support Centre functions (including line management of Team Leader and Bailiff Managers) and Bailiff Management supported functions within the NW Region.
• This is a strategic and supportive post to assist the Team Leader of NW Warrant of Control Support Centre and the NW Bailiff Managers with e.g. leading through reform, governance, business plans, deployment, performance, customer service, H.R guidance etc.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver a consistent and customer focused service across the NW Region.
• Ensure effective deployment of resources to meet operational needs (including governance)
• Ensure the delivery of NW Regional performance management objectives
• Ensure efficient running of the NW Warrant of Control Support Centre and support the Bailiff Managers/Bailiffs in NW Region.

Operations

• Maintain effective working relationships with the judiciary, partner agencies, voluntary and user groups. Working with agencies to improve the level of service to users.
• Provide direction and close support to local managers, setting local priorities which are consistent with the business plan
• Lead staff forums as part of employee engagement activities to effect good working relationships with staff and to improve service delivery and staff morale / motivation
• Ensure that team targets are met and resources are managed to deliver highly effective performance
• Identify process improvements, understanding and managing associated risks; building on team strengths to deliver business outcomes
• Ensure that governance, risk management registers and contingency plans are in place and updated monthly / annually. Report quarterly on Standard Operating Controls for all tasks in own area of business
• Provide M.I. and reports to the Operations Manager(s), Heads of Department(s) and Deputy Head(s), as required.
• Ensure compliance with HMCTS values, policies and procedures, including Equality & Diversity, Attendance, Performance Management, Discipline and Assurance requirements
• Ensure local training and development needs are identified, assessed and addressed to continuously improve the capability of our people
• Perform Responsible Officer duties. These may include the following –
• Identifying and implementing solutions to local problems
• Ensuring compliance with Health & Safety requirements
• Ensuring risk assessments take place when required
• Constructively managing complaints, ensuring corrective action is taken if required and lessons are learned
• Apply Continuous Improvement principles, tools and techniques to all working practices to improve efficiency and deliver change

Delivering Results

• Work with managers and staff to develop team plans which form part of the overall business plan for the region.
• Set local priorities and objectives within the context of national, regional and local plans
• Meet performance targets relevant to own area of responsibility

Analysis

• Problem Solving and making operational / policy decisions by choosing between a variety of options, which may be complex and conflicting, utilising research and analysis to support options and recommendations.
• Identify and implement solutions to local problems and escalating more complex problems to the Operations Manager

Communication

• Maintain effective liaison with judiciary, partner agencies and user groups
• Think beyond own area of responsibility, considering wider policy and organisational implication of issues
• Develop local communication plans which meet the needs of the target audience
• Communicating with the public, the judiciary, other court users and representatives of other agencies and organisations: in relation to core service delivery, specialist or project- based activities.
• Communication will frequently be related to sensitive issues with long term implications for the ‘customer’ or recipient.

Representation

• to represent the NW Region at internal or inter-departmental meetings at which strategic issues are decided (rather than purely operational).
• Represent the NW Region at public, judicial, other court users, other agencies and organisations meetings.

Team Leadership

• Provide operational leadership to managers and staff and role model engaging behaviours
• Provide coaching to support and develop staff, guiding them through a period of significant change
• Ensure you and your managers support the ongoing use of TIBs and SOPs and empower and develop staff to achieve the highest performance standards
• Ensure all MoJ HR policies are correctly applied in your team  

Specialism

• Have a comprehensive knowledge of functions undertaken within the region to support the continuous improvement of policies and procedures. Knowledge of the work of civil bailiffs and enforcement would be desirable.
• Provide specific functions as directed by line managers in line with the SOP for providing that service

Financial authority

• Ensure effective deployment of resources to live within the allocated budget and achieve value for money

Accountability

• Accountable for specific reporting e.g. progress of reform initiatives/projects, implementing or changing the current ways of working.
• Reporting to the Deputy Head of Civil and Family and Operational Managers.

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Please note, this is an administrative HEO Delivery Manager role and will be subject to terms and conditions commensurate with the grade.

This role does not include any bailiff tasks or functions.

Location of Post

The post holder may be based at any NW court but it will be a necessity to travel regularly to the other courts in NW Region to support the Bailiff Managers e.g. governance, judicial, staff & stakeholder engagement. Whilst it is not mandated that the post holder will need to hold a full UK driving licence, and access to a car, it will be difficult to execute the full range of duties without personal transport. The post holder may qualify for a departmental lease vehicle for the duration of the post or be entitled to claim mileage if using their own vehicle as per the current HMCTS/MOJ allowances.

Further details: 

These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public.  

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. HMCTS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Applications for part-time working would be considered however due to the nature of the role the minimum hours would be 30 hours per week over 4 days.