Chief Product Officer
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Digital Technology Services
SCS Pay Band 2
Closing Date: 23:55 Sunday 3rd August 2025
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Contents
Person
Introduction
The Role
Benefits
Specification
Recruitment
Diversity &
FAQs
Contact Us
Process
Inclusion
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Welcome to HMCTS
Thank you for your interest in the Director-
level role of Chief Product Officer. It is an
We particularly encourage applicants from
exciting opportunity to work at the heart of
diverse backgrounds.
one of the largest departments in Whitehall.
If you believe you have the skills and
This director-level role will be central to
qualities we are looking for, then I would be
shaping the future of digital justice services,
delighted to hear from you.
affecting millions of people across the UK.
You will provide strong, strategic, and
inspiring leadership for your team. You will
Best wishes,
be joining a great team and working on
“You will be central to
some of the most complex and important
John Laverick
issues to ensure HMCTS’s digital platforms
shaping the future of
and tools deliver significant taxpayer value
Chief Digital and Information Officer
digital justice services,
whilst meeting operational priorities.
affecting millions of
people across the UK."
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About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is
The MoJ works to protect and advance the
modern and efficient criminal courts
principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver
system.
a major government department
a world-class justice system that works for
• A beacon for justice and the rule of law:
at the heart of the justice
everyone in society.
to uphold the rule of law at home and
system. We deliver some of the
The justice system plays a crucial role in
abroad; promote our world-leading legal
most fundamental public
our success as a nation - keeping people
services, which contribute to economic
safe, emphasising fairness, guaranteeing
growth; and deliver accessible and
services including courts,
individual rights and giving businesses
timely civil, family and administrative
tribunals, prisons, legal services,
confidence to flourish.
justice.
youth justice, probation services,
The delivery of our three strategic
For more information on who we are and
and attendance centres.
outcomes is central to doing this:
what we do, please visit:
•
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisatio
Punishment that cuts crime: to rebuild
ns/ministry-of-justice.
confidence in the criminal justice system
by protecting the public and reducing
reoffending with a sustainable and
effective prison and probation service.
• Swifter justice for victims: to rebuild
confidence in the criminal justice system
by ensuring timely, just outcomes for
victims and defendants through a
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About the Digital and Technology Services
The Digital and Technology Services (DTS) designs, builds and runs the digital services of
HMCTS. These services are used by people at vulnerable times. It’s important work, and it’s not
easy.
Our responsibilities include supporting, managing and developing digital services, and making
sure they are legislatively compliant and fit-for purpose. We work closely with operational teams,
MoJ Justice Digital and external suppliers to support the business, keeping the needs of the users
at heart.
Our mission is to enable swift access to justice through our digital services. We aim to foster an
environment that empowers colleagues, encourages accountability, welcomes measured risks
and values the ability to say no when needed.
The team is divided up into the following directorates:
• Digital Delivery
• Digital Operations
• Cyber Security
• Digital Architecture
• DTS Project Delivery Team
• Business Operations
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About the role
Job Title
Contract Type
The CPO will work closely with the
transformation team within MOJ to ensure
Chief Product Officer (CPO)
This role is being offered on a permanent
opportunities to integrate across the
basis.
Criminal Justice System (CJS), specifically
Location
other MOJ partner agencies, are explored
This role has a minimum assignment
National (base location will be a local court
and supported.
duration of 3 years - in line with the
site - What is your postcode? - Find a Court
deliverables identified. Please note this is
Key Responsibilities
or Tribunal - GOV.UK)
an expectation only, it is not something
which is written into your terms and
Reporting to the Chief Digital and
There is an expectation to travel to London
conditions or indeed which the employing
Information Officer (CDIO) you will be
frequently. Please note the requirements
organisation or you are bound by.
accountable for:
for travel are detailed in the FAQs section.
The Role
Salary
• Strategic Product Vision: Develop
This director-level role will be central to
and communicate a clear, long-term
The salary for this role is set within the MoJ
shaping the future of digital justice services,
product roadmap aligned with
SCS PB2 range
affecting millions of people across the UK.
HMCTS’s strategic goals, ensuring
The CPO will drive a user-focused product
coherence across all jurisdictions
External candidates should expect their
strategy that integrates seamlessly with
and user needs.
salary upon appointment to be £100,000 -
service teams, ensuring that HMCTS’s
£110,000 per annum.
digital platforms and tools deliver significant
• Continuous Improvement and
value while meeting operational priorities.
Digital Delivery: Lead the digital
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
This role provides a unique opportunity to
delivery within DTS and set
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
influence the modernisation of the justice
approaches and practices to digital
on the date of their appointment.
system, embedding innovation,
delivery across HMCTS. This
includes overseeing the continuous
accessibility, and simplicity at its core.
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improvement of Criminal, Civil,
Journey) and BAU projects.
agile, iterative product development
Family, Tribunals, and cross-cutting
processes, focusing on delivering
digital services.
• Platform Development and
measurable outcomes and
Innovation: Lead the improvement
actionable insights.
• Team Leadership: Lead the 300+
of digital platform capabilities,
Civil Service personnel across 32
integrating cutting-edge tools, low-
• Continuous Improvement:
continuous improvement
code solutions, and Application
Oversee the lifecycle of existing
development squads and four
Programming Interfaces (APIs) to
digital products, ensuring sustained
Subject Matter Expert (SME) squads
optimise service delivery and user
value through iterative
responsible for supporting and
experience.
enhancements informed by user
continuously improving HMCTS’s
feedback and data-driven insights.
digital services.
• Risk and Resilience Management:
Safeguard critical national
Queries
• Prioritisation and Planning: Work
infrastructure by embedding
closely with service teams to identify
technical debt management and
If you have any queries about the role, or
and prioritise product investments,
cyber resilience within product
wish to discuss, please contact Abigail
balancing user impact, operational
strategies.
Hawkins (Abigail.Hawkins@justice.gov.uk)
risk, and organisational capacity.
• Cultural Leadership: Foster an
or Aamna Talib
inclusive and empowering culture
(Aamna.Talib@justice.gov.uk)
• Cross-Agency Collaboration:
that enables diverse,
Partner with senior stakeholders
multidisciplinary teams to thrive and
across HMCTS, the Ministry of
innovate.
Justice (MoJ), and external agencies
to address shared challenges and
• Governance and Delivery
co-design solutions that simplify
Assurance: Establish robust
justice services. This includes
product governance frameworks to
working closely with the MoJ
ensure accountability for outcomes,
transformation team to support the
transparency, and risk management.
necessary integration work on
pathfinder projects (e.g., Victim
• User-Centric and Delivery
Management Practices: Champion
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Organogram
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Person Specification
It is important through your CV and Statement
of modern product development
You will be assessed against the following four
of Suitability that you give evidence and
practices, service design, and agile
Behaviours (at Director-level) at interview and
examples of proven experience of each of the
delivery methodologies.
during the application process:
below essential criteria:
• Cultural Architect: A track record
of fostering inclusive, high-
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
Essential criteria:
performing teams and creating
environments where innovation
• Changing and Improving
• Proven Leadership at Scale:
and talent can flourish.
• Managing a Quality Service
Extensive experience as a product
• Operational Insight: Experience
leader, managing complex, high-
balancing strategic ambitions with
• Delivering at Pace
impact portfolios in dynamic and
the operational needs of large,
fast-paced environments.
complex organisations.
Further information about the Civil Service
• Strategic Thinking and Problem-
Behaviours Framework can be found here:
Solving: A strong ability to
Civil Service Success Profiles:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/su
navigate ambiguity, envision
ccess-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-
transformative opportunities, and
The Selection Criteria uses the Civil Service
behaviours
inspire teams towards a shared
Success Profile Framework. Success
vision.
Profiles will enable a fairer and more
Civil Service Leadership Statement:
• Exceptional Communication
inclusive method of recruitment by enabling
Skills: Proficiency in storytelling,
us to assess the range of experiences,
You will be expected to demonstrate the
engaging stakeholders, and
abilities, strengths, behaviours and
qualities within the Civil Service Leadership
building buy-in across diverse
technical/professional skills required for
Statement during your Staff Engagement
audiences.
different roles.
Exercise.
• Deep Product Delivery
Expertise: Advanced knowledge
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The Recruitment Process
Application
treated in the strictest confidence and will
Should you encounter any issues with your
not be provided to the selection panel. We
application please get in touch with SCS
To apply for this post, you will need to
capture this information to monitor our
Recruitment via:
complete and submit the application form,
internal vacancy filling processes with a
alongside your CV no later than 23:55 on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
view to ensuring that we continue to build a
Sunday 3rd August 2025:
talented workforce with diverse
Selection Process
Document details:
perspectives and backgrounds.
Paul Kernaghan, a Civil Service
1. A CV setting out your career history, with
4. In addition to diversity information, you will
Commissioner, will chair the process. The Civil
key responsibilities and achievements.
be asked whether you wish to apply for the Service Commission has two primary
Please ensure you have provided reasons
role as part of the Disability Confident
functions:
for any gaps within the last two years.
Scheme. For more information about the
●
scheme, please see the FAQs section.
Providing assurance that selection for
2. A Statement of Suitability (no more than
appointment to the Civil Service is on merit
750 words) explaining how you consider
Please submit and complete all of the
on the basis of fair and open competition.
your personal skills, qualities and
documents listed so that the panel will have all
For the most senior posts in the Civil
experience provide evidence of your
the required information on which to assess
Service, the Commission discharges its
suitability for the role, with particular
your application against the criteria in the
responsibilities directly by overseeing the
reference to the criteria in the Person
person specification. Please note failure to
recruitment process and by a Commissioner
Specification.
submit a CV and Statement of Suitability will
chairing the selection panel.
result in your application not being considered
3. As part of the application process, you will
for this role.
● Hearing and determining appeals made by
be required to complete your diversity
civil servants under the Civil Service Code
information. All monitoring data will be
which sets out the Civil Service values -
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Impartiality, Objectivity, Integrity and
Assessment
Full details of the assessment process will be
Honesty - and forms part of the relationship
made available to shortlisted candidates.
If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take
between civil servants and their employer.
part in a Staff Engagement Exercise. This
Offer
More detailed information can be found on the
assessment will not result in a pass or fail
Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all
Civil Service Commission website.
decision. Rather, it is designed to support the
panel’s decision making and highlight areas for candidates as soon as possible after the final
In addition to the Civil Service Commissioner,
interview.
the panel to explore further at interview.
Paul Kernaghan, he will be joined by John
Further information on Staff Engagement
Laverick, Chief Digital Information Officer.
Exercises will be provided to shortlisted
Other panel members will be communicated to candidates.
shortlisted candidates prior to interview. The
panel will satisfy the Civil Service panel
Fireside Chats
requirements on diversity.
You will be given the opportunity speak to John
Shortlist
Laverick, Chief Digital Information Officer prior
to the final interview to learn more about the
The panel will assess your application to select role and the organisation. Please note this is
those demonstrating the best fit with the role
not part of the formal assessment process.
by considering the evidence you have provided
against the criteria set out in the Person
Interview
Specification section, Failure to address any or You will be asked to attend a panel interview to
all of these, may affect your application.
have a more in-depth discussion of your
Shortlisted candidates will be advised of the
previous experience and professional
outcome as soon as possible following the
competence in relation to the criteria set out in
shortlist meeting.
the Person Specification. Please note, you
may be asked to complete a presentation on a
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an topic chosen by the panel at interview stage.
interview or assessment.
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Expected Timeline
We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for assessments or interviews. You are
therefore asked to note the below timetable, exercising flexibility through the recruitment and selection process, in order to meet the dates
given. Please note that these dates may be subject to change.
The anticipated timetable is as follows:
Advert Closing Date
23:55 Sunday 3rd August 2025
Shortlist Meeting
Week commencing 11th August 2025
Staff Engagement Exercises
Week commencing 18th August 2025
Interviews
Week commencing 25th August or 1st September 2025
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
The successful applicant must spend at least
European Union Settlement Scheme
civil servant?
60% of the week working from a MoJ site.
(EUSS)
Yes. This role is open to suitably qualified
Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
people in the external market and to existing
nationals working in the Civil Service
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
civil servants and those in accredited Non-
during the recruitment process?
● Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish
Departmental Bodies.
nationals who have built up the right to work
No. Unfortunately we will not be able to
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
in the Civil Service
reimburse you, except in exceptional
This role is available for full-time or flexible
circumstances and only when agreed in
● Certain family members of the relevant EU,
working arrangements (including job share
advance.
EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
partnerships). If you wish to discuss your
What are the nationality requirements for
For further information on whether you are
needs in more detail, please get in touch with
this role?
eligible to apply, please visit Gov.UK.
the SCS Recruitment Team.
This job is broadly open to the following
Reserved for UK Nationals
Will the role involve travel?
groups:
Certain posts might be reserved for British
If the successful candidate is not London
● UK nationals
citizens, this is not a reserved post.
based, travel to London will be needed several
times a month.
● Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
Is security clearance required?
Where will the role be based?
● Nationals of Commonwealth countries
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More
The base location of this post is flexible and
● Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland information about the vetting process can be
can be based at any of our buildings across
with (or eligible for) status under the
found here.
England and Wales.
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What reasonable adjustments can be made or access requirements will have no impact on to request that they are not assessed on a
if I have a disability?
the outcome of your application, regardless of
specific behaviour outlined in the job advert
your request or the role you have applied to.
this would not be possible because the
We welcome and encourage applications from
behaviour has been identified as important for
all candidates and are committed to supporting How we can support you
the job role and all candidates are assessed
all candidates to take part in the recruitment
There are many types of reasonable
against this criterion. If an adjustment cannot
process. This includes supporting individuals
adjustments that can be made during
be provided, the reasons for this will be
who have a disability by making reasonable
assessment processes, and the type or
explained to you during your contact with the
adjustments to the recruitment process. We
combination you choose to request will depend reasonable adjustment scheme team.
are also able to provide support to candidates
on your individual requirements.
who require adjustments to the assessment
Help with your application
process due to more temporary difficulties (e.g. Examples of some types of adjustments
During the application process, we will ask you
linked to a recent injury).
include:
if you require reasonable adjustments. It is
We will ask you within your application form if
• Extra time to complete assessments;
important you tell us as early as possible if you
you would like to request reasonable
would like to request reasonable adjustments
•
adjustments. If you feel you require any kind of
Providing a break within an assessment;
so that the recruitment process runs smoothly
support and/or would like to discuss this with
• Providing interview questions in a written
for you.
someone, please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting
format at the interview as well as orally;
If you do decide during the process that you do
reasonable adjustments.
• An interview at a certain time;
require adjustments and you have not
We understand that the support requested will
completed all your assessments, please
be unique to every candidate and we will work
• Coloured overlays or different fonts for
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
with you to help you to identify your individual
assessment materials.
of your next assessment.
requirements.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but If you need any help with your application,
We make reasonable adjustments so that all
rather some examples.
please contact the SCS recruitment team at
candidates are given a fair opportunity to
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
undertake the recruitment process. Therefore,
requested, there may be occasions where this
disclosing information regarding your disability isn’t possible. For example, if a candidate were
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Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme The law requires that selection for appointment 3. To the Civil Service Commission
for Disabled Persons?
to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
fair and open competition as outlined in the
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
Disabled applicants who meet the minimum
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
selection criteria in the job specification are
What should I do if I think that I have a
Principles.
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
conflict of interest?
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards
Candidates must note the requirement to
interview under the Disability Commitment, you of behaviour expected of Civil Servants.
declare any interests that might cause
should complete the relevant section of the
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and
questions to be raised about their approach to
online application. It is not necessary to state
open competition, as outlined in the Civil
the business of the Department.
the nature of your disability.
Service Commission’s recruitment principles.
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
Do you offer a Guaranteed Interview
Should you feel that the recruitment process
interest, please contact SCS Recruitment on
Scheme for Veterans?
has breached the recruitment principles and
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk before
you wish to make a complaint, you should
Yes. The Great Place to Work for Veterans
submitting your application.
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
scheme aims to encourage more veterans to
first instance.
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
join the Civil Service when they leave the
Service Commission?
armed forces.
If you are not satisfied with the response you
receive from the Department you are able to
Yes. As this role is one of the more senior
Veteran applicants who meet the minimum
raise a formal complaint in the following order. posts within the Civil Service, a Commissioner
selection criteria in the job specification are
will oversee the recruitment process and chair
guaranteed an interview. Selection will be on
1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
the selection panel. More detailed information
merit. If you wish to claim a guaranteed
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00) can be found on the Civil Service Commission
interview under the Great Place to Work for
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
website.
Veterans scheme, you should complete the
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
relevant section of the online application
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
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Benefits of working for the Ministry of Justice
Whatever your role, we take your career and
people policies and strategies, and we offer
development seriously, and want to enable you our employees access to:
to build a really successful career with the
Ministry of Justice and wider Civil Service. It is
● Diverse talent programs;
crucial that our employees have the right skills
● Mentoring schemes;
to develop their careers and meet the
challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from
● Family friendly policies including generous
regular performance and development reviews
parental and special leave options;
to ensure this development is ongoing. As a
Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be entitled
● Flexible working options - including a
to a large range of benefits.
varied working patterns and flexibility to
choose how and where you work;
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
● Workplace adjustment support;
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity,
openness and together - are at the heart of our
● Wellbeing support, including access to our
commitment to create a culture where all our
Employee Assistance Provider;
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
workplace. We want to attract and retain the
● Special leave for active duty reservists;
best talent from diverse backgrounds and
● Volunteering days.
perspectives. We want everyone to be the best
of themselves, to feel supported and have a
Ministry of Justice have diversity champions,
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
senior civil servants appointed by our
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
Permanent Secretary, who work to drive
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
forward and embed equality, diversity and
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inclusion as a core part of both our business
Pension
Childcare Benefits
delivery and in how we support our people.
Your pension is a valuable part of your total The government has introduced the Tax-Free
The Ministry of Justice’s champions each
reward package.
Childcare (TFC) scheme. Working parents can
advocate for a specific strand including Race,
open an online childcare account and for every
A competitive contributory pension scheme
Disability, Carers, Gender, LGBTQI, Faith and
£8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to
that you can enter as soon as you join where
Belief, Age and Social Mobility.
a maximum of £2000 a year for each child or
we will make a significant contribution to the
£4000 for a disabled child. Parents then use
They work closely with our diversity staff
cost of your pension; where your contributions
the funds to pay for registered childcare. More
network groups and help to shape and build
come out of your salary before any tax is
information about the Tax Free Childcare
our sense of community across the Ministry of
taken; and where your pension will continue to Scheme can be found on GOV.UK or
Justice. The Ministry of Justice staff network
provide valuable benefits for you and your
Childcare Choices.
groups provide care and support for their
family if you are too ill to continue to work or
members, offer our policy makers challenge
die before you retire. Visit
Onsite facilities
and critical friendship, champion opportunities, www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
Opportunity to use onsite facilities including
help change our culture and celebrate
more details.
fitness centres and staff canteens (where
everything that makes our people who we are. Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday applicable).
The department also has an employee health
Allowance
Season Ticket and Bicycle Loan
and wellbeing strategy which details the wide
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
range of support available to staff. The strategy sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the
focuses on four key wellbeing areas; mental
cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new
This is in addition to 8 public holidays.
wellbeing, lifestyle including physical wellbeing,
bicycle.
financial wellbeing and workplace environment This will be complemented by one further day
- culture and physical workspaces.
paid privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
Sick Pay
Birthday.
Occupational sick pay.
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all experiences and feelings about working in the
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
can be taken to level this experience;
personal information in accordance improve these experiences, and ultimately
with data protection legislation,
2. Processing is of a specific category of
organisation performance.
personal data and it is necessary for the
including the General Data
Sensitive personal data is personal data
purposes of identifying or keeping under
Protection Regulation and Data
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
review the existence or absence of equality
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
of opportunity or treatment between groups
Protection Act 2018.
trade union membership, and the processing of
of people with a view to enabling such
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
equality to be promoted or maintained.
Data Sharing
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
3. Please note if you are successful in your
To process your application your personal data concerning health or data concerning a natural
application your sensitive personal data will
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS
person's sex life or sexual orientation.
be used as part of the on-boarding process
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members
The legal basis for processing your
to build your employee record.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
sensitive personal data is:
recruitment process.
For further information please see the GDPR
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
Privacy Notice.
The legal basis for processing your
substantial public interest for the exercise
personal data is:
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
Processing is necessary for the performance of
Crown, or a government department: it is
a task carried out in the public interest.
important to know if groups of staff with
Personal data are processed in the public
specific demographic characteristics have a
interest because understanding civil servant
better or worse experience of working for
18
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 D&I Strategy
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Contact us
Should candidates like to discuss the role in more detail before
submitting an application, please contact Abigail Hawkins
(Abigail.Hawkins@justice.gov.uk) or Aamna Talib
(Aamna.Talib@justice.gov.uk
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