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General Information

Salary
£38,661 - £42,019
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
29-Aug-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8574

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HM Inspectorate of Prisons) is an independent inspectorate which reports on the treatment of, and conditions for, those in prison, young offender institutions and court custody suites in England and Wales, and immigration detention facilities in the United Kingdom. HMI Prisons also inspects police and Border Force customs custody (jointly with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) and secure training centres (jointly with Ofsted). By invitation, HMI Prisons inspects some military detention facilities, as well as prisons in Northern Ireland and in other jurisdictions with links to the UK, such as the Isle of Man. 

The role of HM Inspectorate of Prisons is to provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees, promoting the concept of ‘healthy establishments’ in which staff work effectively to achieve positive outcomes for those detained and for the public.

The Inspectorate’s work constitutes an important part of the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment. This Protocol requires signatory states to have in place regular independent inspection of places of detention.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons is an Arm’s Length Body (ALB) of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The Chief Inspector of Prisons is a Crown Appointee, while the staff of the Inspectorate are civil servants employed by the MoJ. 

The Inspectorate has a set of guiding principles, which underpins everything that we do: 

  • Independence, impartiality and integrity are the foundations of our work.
  • The experience of the detainee is at the heart of our inspections.
  • Respect for human rights underpins our Expectations.
  • We embrace diversity and are committed to pursuing equality of outcomes for all.
  • We believe in the capacity of both individuals and organisations to change and improve, and that we have a part to play in initiating and encouraging change.

We also have five organisational values:

  • Independent
  • Influential
  • Accountable
  • Capable
  • Collaborative.

The Inspectorate is led by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons. There are approximately 70 staff working for the Inspectorate, including full-time staff, secondees and a number of fee-paid associates. The Inspectorate is currently organised into six specialist inspection teams, a Research, Development and Thematic team and a Secretariat team. Each is headed by a team leader who, together with the Chief and Deputy Chief Inspector, form the corporate management of the Inspectorate. The small office-based teams consist of the Chief and Deputy Chief Inspectors and their Executive Assistant as well as the Research, Data and Thematics team and Secretariat team. The Head of Communications is part of the Secretariat team and works closely with the Chief Inspector.

Office-based staff are accommodated in a HM Government shared hub building in Canary Wharf, London.

For further information on HMIP, please visit our website: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. We are also on:

Twitter at @HMIPrisonsnews

BlueSkySocial at @hmiprisonsnews.bsky.social

LinkedIn at @hm-inspectorate-of-prisons.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons’ Equality and Diversity Statement

We are committed to creating and maintaining a working environment that is positive about and supportive of all equality and diversity issues. We believe that difference and diversity within our workforce strengthens the work we do and the influence we have.

We are committed to becoming an employer of choice by creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where people are treated with dignity and respect and where discrimination and/or exclusion are not tolerated. Our goal is to ensure these commitments, reinforced by our values, are embedded in our day-to-day working practices.

Our long-term vision is to:

  • have a workforce with the necessary expertise and sufficient diversity to reflect the community in which it operates;
  • develop a more flexible and supportive working environment which always seeks to include difference;
  • continue to build a confident and competent workforce who feel valued and heard;
  • deliver learning and development opportunities to our staff so they are equipped to understand, inspect and make valid and relevant recommendations relating to equality and diversity.

We expect commitment and involvement from all our staff and partners in working towards the achievement of our vision and to that end we have developed an equality and diversity action plan.

About the role

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) is looking for someone to join the Secretariat team as a Policy Officer on a full-time basis on a permanent contract.

The post holder will play a key role in the Policy Team, assisting the Chief Inspector in his engagement with policy makers and Parliament. The post holder will also have opportunities to work with HMIPs’ key stakeholders and be given the responsibility and autonomy to lead on significant pieces of work. This is an exciting role for someone who would like to develop their skills and knowledge in policy and parliamentary work and gain exposure to human rights issues and inspection methodologies.

The Policy Officer is managed by the Head of Policy, and the two posts make up the policy team at HMIP, which is part of the wider Secretariat team. The work of the Secretariat overall is managed by the Head of Secretariat.

The policy team carries out a range of functions, including: monitoring policy and parliamentary developments; identifying and responding to consultations and parliamentary inquiries; preparing briefings for inspectors providing evidence; advising on human rights; assisting to develop Expectations; stakeholder engagement; and assisting the Chief Inspector and Deputy Inspector to safeguard HMIP’s independence and remit.

The team works with staff across HMIP and closely with the Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector, Head of Secretariat and the Communications and Publications team.

Our current working arrangements require attendance in our Canary Wharf office in London for three days per week, with the possibility of being in more depending on business needs. This role may involve occasional travel within the UK.

Responsibilities

Duties will include the following:

  • Monitoring and tracking policy and legislation to ensure the Chief Inspector and other HMIP colleagues are briefed on relevant developments;
  • Providing policy support to the Chief Inspector, Deputy Chief Inspector, Head of Policy and other inspectorate staff, including supporting and drafting briefing papers, consultation responses and ad hoc requests;
  • Assisting the Head of Policy to maintain stakeholder relationships and engagement, including attending meetings with stakeholders on behalf of HMIP;
  • Briefing the Chief Inspector and other HMIP staff ahead of appearances before parliamentary committees;
  • Supporting and providing policy advice for project work across the inspectorate, such as Expectation and methodology reviews and thematic inspections;
  • Providing support and policy advice to one or more policy fora;
  • Coordinating HMIP’s response to sanctions cases, including maintaining records, drafting relevant correspondence, liaising with other scrutiny bodies and providing support to the lead sanctions inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector;
  • Helping to develop the inspectorate’s activity in relation to notable positive practice and
  • Supporting the work of the Secretariat as necessary.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential skills and knowledge:

  • Demonstrable interest in detention related issues and the welfare of those detained;
  • Experience of analysing government policy, drafting policy submissions and/or contributing to policy debates;
  • Strong research skills;
  • Experience of preparing reports, presentations and other written materials;
  • Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail, including the ability to draft in plain English for a range of audiences;
  • Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with people from a range of backgrounds;
  • Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines; and proficiency in use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint.

Desirable:

  • A degree in a relevant field (such as social sciences, politics, law);
  • Understanding of legislative processes;
  • Understanding of safeguarding;
  • Experience of working with parliamentary committees;
  • Understanding of new technology such as AI and its potential in policy-making; and
  • Understanding of detention related issues, criminal justice and/or human rights.
Additional 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.

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.

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

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 8574

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 8574

HM Inspectorate of Prisons: 

For further information about the role, please contact Elizabeth Renard on Elizabeth.Renard@hmiprisons.gov.uk

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected w/c 15th September 2025
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)