Deputy Director, Strategy and Central
Services
Ministry of Justice
SCS Pay Band 1
Closing Date: 23:55 on Sunday 24th 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 the Ministry of Justice Property Function
Thank you for your
The MoJ Property Function is a customer
learning and development across MoJ and
focused organisation, responsible for one
partnering closely with the Government
interest in the Strategy
of the most diverse and complex estates in
Property Profession creating an engaged,
and Central Services role
central Government.
diverse and inclusive function with a strong
voice and identity.
within the Property
We strive to deliver an efficient, well-utilised
and sustainable estate providing estate
We recognise, understand and celebrate
Function at the Ministry of
solutions which are aligned to the delivery
our differences and diversity. Irrespective
Justice
of business objectives, responsive to user
of our background, as individuals we have
need and support new ways of working. We
so much to bring to the table - a wealth of
aim to be inquisitive, visible, confident and
knowledge, skills and talent. I see this
effective in employing our skills and
every day, and I am incredibly privileged
experience to ensure that we get our core
and proud to lead such a fantastic team of
services right first time and that we
professionals and hope you will consider
understand and continually focus on both
making an application to join us
our customers’ needs (current and future)
and a drive for whole life value for money.
Best wishes,
Our directorate brings together property
Ricky McSeveney,
professionals from a wide range of
Chief Property Officer
disciplines. A key priority is enhancing the
management of professional functions
including career paths, opportunities,
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About the Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is a
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) works to
modern and efficient criminal courts
protect and advance the principles of
system.
major government department at
justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class
the heart of the justice system.
•
justice system that works for everyone in
A beacon for justice and the rule of law:
to uphold the rule of law at home and
We deliver some of the most
society.
abroad; promote our world-leading legal
fundamental public services
The justice system plays a crucial role in
services, which contribute to economic
our success as a nation - keeping people
growth; and deliver accessible and
including courts, tribunals,
safe, emphasising fairness, guaranteeing
timely civil, family and administrative
prisons, legal services, youth
individual rights and giving businesses
justice.
justice, probation services, and
confidence to flourish.
For more information on who we are and
attendance centres.
The delivery of our three strategic
what we do, please visit:
outcomes are central to doing this:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisatio
ns/ministry-of-justice.
• Punishment that cuts crime: to rebuild
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 Property Function
The MoJ Property Function is a customer
Government Property to develop the
focused organisation that exists to enable
maturity of the profession and also
our customers to perform to their very best.
encourage our people to join the GPP. We
We do this by providing high quality,
continue to build our capability through
services, and working environments that
training and recruitment, aspiring to be the
best that we can be as individuals and as a
our customers want to work in, which
directorate. We continue to deliver new
support them to deliver their individual
ways of working across our portfolio -
outputs efficiently. Our job is to manage
leading on the scale and pace of activity for
one of the most diverse and complex
central government - proposing ways to
estates in Government - hosted by the
achieve, and then providing more dynamic
Ministry of Justice (MoJ).
and flexible workspace, while driving down
the cost of the estate.
MoJ Property provides specialist services
including facilities management, health and
safety, fire safety and security, technical
design expertise, and sustainability. We
are responsible for a great deal - our
portfolio consists of properties valued at
£9.3bn for the MoJ alone. We are part of
the Government Property Profession (GPP)
and through active membership and
engagement we work with the Office of
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About the role
Job Title
Existing Civil Servants will be appointed in
activity. Maturing and embedding a
line with the Civil Service pay rules in place
refreshed operating framework will ensure
Deputy Director for Strategy and Central
on the date of their appointment.
our governance, risk and assurance
Services, MoJ Property Directorate
processes provide end to end oversight
Contract Type
Location
and alignment across the property portfolio.
This role is being offered on a permanent
As such, this is a uniquely high-profile
National
basis.
people-centred role, that puts you at the
The MoJ is working to open more Justice
centre of departmental decision-making.
This role has a minimum assignment
Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite
duration of 3 years - in line with the
You will also be responsible for offering
Offices over time. Click here to learn more
deliverables identified. Please note this is
counsel and advice to the department’s
about where our currently open Justice
an expectation only, it is not something
Permanent Secretary and Directors
Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite
which is written into your terms and
General.
Offices are, to identify where you may be
conditions or indeed which the employing
based.
organisation or you are bound by.
The role will include development and
management of strategic asset
Please note the requirements for travel and
The Role
opportunities and threats (at building level,
level of flexibility available as set out in the
You will lead the directorate’s business
acquisitions, disposals) and management
FAQs section.
of information, data and systems,
architecture approach, with responsibility
underpinned by sound governance
Salary
for a broad strategic delivery portfolio.
processes, analysis/use of data to inform
Operating at the heart of the directorate
The salary for this role is set within the MoJ
decisions underpinning strategy, policy and
you will lead and continuously improve the
planning. This strategic management of
SCS PB1 range
organisation’s design, maintaining a
the Estate wide priorities would see the role
External candidates should expect their
delivery model that is consistently right
working closely with stakeholders such as
salary upon appointment to be £81,000 per
sized and capable of delivering our
His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation
annum.
Property Strategy and Business Plan
Service (HMPPS).
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collective leadership of the Function, you
government skills strategy and ensure
Working directly to the Chief Property
will develop strategies, plans, policies and
Property is at the forefront of development.
Officer, as a member of the Property
controls to deliver on short-term and long-
Directorate Senior Leadership Team, you
term objectives, having a transformational
Performance and Talent: Deliver and
will plan and oversee a professional
and visionary leadership style
strengthen our approach to performance
function, managing performance, risk,
and talent management, ensuring we have
change and organisational design of the
Governance, Performance & Planning:
strong succession plans and support career
function to ensure that it delivers on its
Build a strategic management centre,
progression that ensures a high performing
strategy and for its stakeholders
based on sound governance to allow MoJ
organisation.
Property to support and inform HMPPS in
Key Responsibilities
making strategic asset decisions, reducing
Organisational Development and
spend across the portfolio as a result.
Culture: You will design and deliver
The role requires an exceptional and
impactive and co-ordinated Organisational
experienced senior level professional with
Lead on performance monitoring, and risk
Design interventions that support MoJ
sound judgement, excellent problem-
management across the Property Function,
Property to be a great place to work and to
solving skills and the ability to work calmly
including reporting to Chief Operating
get the best out of everyone. Manage a
under pressure.
Officer Executive Team, ExCo, the Audit &
directorate wide review of service delivery,
Risk Committee and the Cabinet Office.
ensuring the Property Function has the
The role requires the ability to look
skills and capability to deliver against the
outwards to the wider Property Function,
Lead our corporate approach to skills
commitments set out in its business plan.
Property profession and the wider Civil
and capability: Working with a broad
Service community.
range of stakeholders including heads of
Delegated budget responsibility in excess
professions, Office of Government
of £100m per annum.
You will need to have proven abilities,
Property, you will build on the success of
confidence and skills, in building and
our existing leadership, line management
Continue and build our reputation in the
maintaining your network across different
and core skills offers to meet our strategic
Property Profession as a professionally
organisations, successfully influencing
workforce needs.
recognised directorate where people
senior stakeholders.
across all sectors want to work.
Work alongside other government
As a member of the Property Senior
departments to keep abreast of the
Leadership team, you will participate in the
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Additional responsibilities
• Lead and motivate the COO Senior
Leadership Team developing a high-
performing team that drives
excellence in delivery.
• Championing innovation and
bringing in best practice from other
functions, public and private sector.
• Collaborating with other functional
leads to ensure that plans are
aligned and complementary.
• Ensuring MoJ Property effectively
discharges all its corporate
responsibilities
• Development of a Property
data/Digital strategy
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Organogram
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Person Specification
It is important through the recruitment
Essential Experience:
results through influencing in a highly
process that you give evidence and
political environment, understanding the
examples of proven experience of each of
• You are experienced at a senior level in
policy and legal context and displaying a
the essential and desirable criteria.
leading teams of people at a strategic level.
clear and strong grasp of stakeholder
You will have experience of setting a vision
Later on in the pack you will be told what is
interests through effective working with
and strategy to ensure diverse and
being assessed at which stage of the
other Government Departments, Ministers,
process.
geographically dispersed teams deliver
sponsored bodies and external
against objectives.
stakeholders.
• You will lead the organisational design of
Ability:
the directorate in order to make informed
decisions on resource and strategy based
• You can make effective decisions that
on the business requirements. You will
consider the impact across all aspects
have experience of applying these
of the organisation. You have sound
approaches to achieve outcomes.
financial acumen and can apply
•
financial management principles when
Proven ability to build high performing
making decisions. You evaluate options,
teams, create diverse and collaborative
balancing the impact on factors such as
environments and manage performance
people, processes, finance, and
effectively so all staff can bring their best
strategy.
self to work.
•
• You can communicate clearly and with
Strong communication, negotiating and
confidence, both verbally and in written
influencing skills and the ability to forge
format. You communicate with impact,
highly successful relationships and achieve
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understanding how to tailor your
all levels. Details of the GPP Career
creative solutions to the management of
communication to a wide range of
Framework can be found at:
strategic issues and complex operational
issues.
audiences
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/th
•
e-government-property-profession-career-
You are an experienced engager with
• Strong commercial awareness and
framework--2
understanding of the value of trend data
significant people change management
experience in an operational delivery
This role falls under Head of Strategy and
MoJ SCS Pay Band 1 Behaviours:
environment
Portfolio in the framework. The following
Technical Skills are identified as key for this
You will also be assessed against the following
Technical Skills:
role and may be tested at interview:
Behaviours during the Recruitment Process:
Government Property Profession (GPP)
• Strategy and Business Planning
• Communicating and Influencing
Technical Skills
• Stakeholder Engagement
•
Leadership
The GPP Framework is aimed at staff working If you do not meet the technical requirements
• Seeing the Big Picture
in property or property-related roles and
for this role, we advise you to not submit an
consider property to be their career anchor
application as it is unlikely that you will
• Changing & Improving
profession. This usually encompasses posts
possess the required skillset
where professional qualifications and
• Making Effective Decisions
experience are directly relevant to the work
Desirable Experience:
Read more in the Civil Service Success
being undertaken.
• Experience in building and developing
Profiles Section.
However, it is also applicable to those who are
effective partnerships, negotiating with and Civil Service Leadership Statement:
currently not qualified property practitioners but
influencing senior stakeholders to enable
wish to make this their profession of choice.
delivery of a complex range of goals and
All leaders within the Civil Service are
Those with a property background at any level
targets.
expected to demonstrate the qualities within
are encouraged to register with the GPP,
the Civil Service Leadership Statement during
which exists to support property practitioners at • Able to think and act strategically,
their Staff Engagement Exercise.
developing practical, innovative and
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The Recruitment Process
Recruitment Process
not part of the assessed elements of the
the essential experience and abilities set
selection process.
out on pages 10 and 11.
The selection process will be chaired by Ricky
McSeveney, Chief Property Officer. The other
Application
Find out more information about our
panel members will be:
application process here.
You will need to complete the online
• Lynda Rawsthorne, Government Head of
application process accessed via the
After the Application Stage
the Property Profession, Cabinet Office.
advertisement for this role.
You will be advised whether your application
• Clayton Smith, Property Transformation
This should be completed no later than 23:55
has been shortlisted for the next stage of the
Programme Director, MOJ Property
on Sunday 24th August 2025. As part of the
selection process. If you are shortlisted, we will
Directorate.
application process, you will be asked to
contact you to arrange the next stage of the
complete:
selection process.
Support during the selection process
1. Responses to the eligibility questions to
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an
If you need any support or have any questions
check you are eligible to apply for the role. interview or assessment.
during any stage of the selection process,
2. A response to whether you would like to
please contact the SCS Recruitment Team
request reasonable adjustments during
Other Assessment
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
the selection process. The Disability
Staff Engagement Exercise
Stages of the selection process
Support section explains how adjustments
can be made to the selection process to
The Staff Engagement Exercise or SEE is an
Internal Stakeholder Conversations
accommodate a disability.
opportunity to engage in a two-way discussion
3. You will also need to complete a CV and
on a set topic area with a group of staff from
You are invited to arrange an informal
Statement of Suitability. It is important that the organisation. The topic area will be shared
discussion with Ricky McSeveney, Chief
your CV and Statement of Suitability give
with you in advance. An Occupational
Property Officer to learn more about the role
evidence and examples of how you meet
Psychologist will brief you before the
and the organisation before applying. This is
assessment, observe the assessment and
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debrief you. They will facilitate a discussion to
to have your details retained on a merit list to
seek feedback from the staff, which will be
be considered for future SCS roles.
considered alongside their own observations
What is being assessed?
The Civil Service Leadership Statement.
.
Panel Interview and Presentation
You will be invited to attend an interview and
presentation with the selection panel. You will
be asked to prepare a verbal 5-minute
presentation based on a topic that will be
provided in advance. The interview and
presentation will last for approximately 45
minutes.
What is being assessed?
Behaviours, as listed on page 11.
After the Panel Interview
Following the interview, the performance of all
candidates will be reviewed, and the
successful candidate identified. All candidates
will be notified of the outcome as soon as
possible after the conclusion of all interviews. If
you are not the successful candidate but you
meet the standard required, you may be invited
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Civil Service Behaviours
What are Behaviours?
Leadership
You motivate staff by ensuring they understand
how their work fits into the big picture.
The Civil Service recruits using Success
You visibly demonstrate the organisation’s
Profiles and Behaviours are an element of
values in all your activity, leading authentically. Changing and Improving
Success Profiles used to see whether
You seek to engage staff in the aims of the
candidates are able demonstrate specific
organisation and communicate the
You create an environment of continuous
Behaviours associated with the role they are
organisation’s strategy in an inspiring way. You improvement and change. You see the benefit
applying for during the selection process.
create an inclusive and fair culture which
of change and promote this within your area of
creates a sense of belonging by treating staff
responsibility. You identify business needs,
In this process the below Behaviours are most as individuals and actively valuing diversity
both current and future, and use this to identify
relevant to this role and will be assessed
within the organisation. You empower teams
opportunities for change, utilising innovative
during the interview stage of the process. The and individuals to excel by creating a shared
solutions that benefit the end user. You are
definitions of Behaviours are set out below:
vision and objectives and demonstrate trust in able to embed change, managing risks. You
evaluate the impact of change against the
Communicating and Influencing
staff by giving autonomy.
expected outcomes for service users and the
You communicate clearly and with confidence, Seeing the Big Picture
public.
both verbally and in writing. You are open,
You understand the wider context of the
Making Effective Decisions
honest and transparent in your
organisation’s work, considering the political,
communications. You communicate effectively social, economic, and technological
You make defensible, objective and fair high-
with internal and external senior stakeholders
environment both currently and in the future.
impact decisions, considering the impact on
to present information in a convincing and
You create and implement strategies to
the service user and wider organisation. You
influential manner. You tailor your
achieve the organisation’s aims and meet the
are willing to take ownership of your decisions,
communication methods and content to the
needs of the public. You promote the
being transparent and open about the reasons
audience, simplifying strategic messages.
organisation externally, advocating positive
for them. You effectively analyse data to make
evidence-based decisions, whilst being
outcomes for the sector you operate within.
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comfortable taking considered risks based on
the best evidence available. You consult with
others to incorporate views and professional
expertise, ensuring appropriate individuals are
involved in the decision-making process.
Please click here or more information on
Behaviours and Success Profiles.
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Guidance for writing your Statement and CV
As part of the application process, you need to
experience and abilities required for the role
submit a Statement and CV. Both your
and describe the outcome that came from
Statement and CV should demonstrate how
this.
you meet the essential experience and ability
Providing a name-blind CV and Success
outlined in the Person Specification section.
Profile Statements
Ensure you read through the role information
In both your CV and Success Profile
thoroughly and identify the essential criteria for Statements please remove references to any
each area. You should ensure you provide
personal information that could identify you.
evidence for each of the essential experience
For example:
and abilities which are required for the role in
• Name and title
your Statement and CV. You may not be
• Educational institution names
progressed to the next stage of the
• Age and gender
assessment process if you do not provide this
• Email address
evidence.
• Postal address and telephone number
When structuring your Statements try to:
• Nationality and immigration status.
• Group evidence of the same experience and This will help us to recruit based on your
abilities together by using subheadings and
knowledge and skills, and not on your
paragraphs. This will help to ensure you are background, gender or ethnicity. Recruiting this
writing about the experience that is directly
way is called name-blind recruitment.
relevant for the role you are applying for.
For more information on how to write your
• You should ensure that you detail recent and Statement and CV please visit the Civil Service
relevant examples of the essential
Careers Website.
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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 on Sunday 24th August 2025
Outcome of CV and Statement of Suitability
w/c 1st September 2025
Other Assessment Stages
w/c 15th September 2025
Panel Interview and Presentation
Either 29th September 2025 or 6th October 2025
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Working for the Ministry of Justice
themselves, to feel supported and have a
privilege entitlement to mark the King’s
strong sense of belonging in the workplace.
Birthday.
Our commitment to creating a diverse and
inclusive workforce is reflected in all of our
Flexible Working
people policies and strategies.
While not every type of flexible working will be
Benefits
suitable for every role and business area,
flexible working can take many forms and The
As a Ministry of Justice employee, you’ll be
Ministry of Justice is committed to delivering its
entitled to a large range of benefits which
business effectively and sustainably by
include but are not limited to:
creating modern and inclusive workplaces that
enable smart, flexible and hybrid working.
Pension
For more information on our amazing benefits
The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of
including our Civil Service Pension Scheme,
the best workplace pension schemes in the UK annual and special leave, and our Equality,
public sector. Visit
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing
Diversity, Inclusion and Wellbeing schemes
www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk for
please visit our Senior Civil Service website.
Our departmental values - purpose, humanity, more details.
openness and together - are at the heart of our Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday
commitment to create a culture where all our
Allowance
people are able to thrive and flourish in the
workplace.
25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a
sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
We want to attract and retain the best talent
This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will
from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
be complemented by one further day paid
We want everyone to be the best of
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Disability Support
What reasonable adjustments can be made • An interview at a certain time of day;
recruitment team at
if I have a disability?
This is not an exhaustive list but rather some
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
examples of how we can support you during
We are committed to supporting all candidates the SCS Recruitment Process.
Do you offer a Disability Confident Scheme
to take part in the recruitment process. This
for Disabled Persons?
includes supporting individuals who have a
Whilst we aim to confirm all adjustments
disability by making reasonable adjustments to requested, there may be occasions where this As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ
the recruitment process.
offer an interview to disabled candidates who
isn’t possible. If an adjustment cannot be
provided, the reasons for this will be explained meet the minimum selection criteria, except in
If you feel you require any kind of support
to you.
a limited number of campaigns. This could be
and/or would like to discuss this with someone,
in terms of the advertised essential skills
please indicate ‘yes’ to requesting reasonable
Help with your application
and/or application form sift criteria. Within the
adjustments in your application form and
application form, you will be asked if you would
ensure that you respond to the Reasonable
It is important you contact us as early as
like to be considered for an interview under this
Adjustments Scheme team by email.
possible by email if you would like to request
scheme, so please make us aware of this
reasonable adjustments so that the recruitment when prompted.
How we can support you
process runs smoothly for you.
There are many types of reasonable
If you do decide during the process that you do
adjustments that can be made during
require adjustments and you have not
assessment processes.
completed all your assessments, please
contact the SCS recruitment team in advance
Examples of some types of adjustments
of your next assessment.
include:
If you have any questions in advance of
• Extra time to complete assessments;
making your application regarding reasonable
• Providing a break within an assessment;
adjustments please contact the SCS
• Providing interview questions in a written
format at the interview as well as orally;
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FAQs
Can I apply if I am not currently a
Am I eligible to apply for this role?
you wish to make a complaint, you should
civil servant?
contact scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk in the
For information on whether you are eligible to
first instance.
Yes.
apply, please visit Gov.UK.
If you are not satisfied with the response you
Is this role suitable for part-time working?
Is security clearance required?
receive from the Department you are able to
This role is available for full-time or flexible
Yes. If successful you must hold, or be willing
raise a formal complaint in the following order.
working arrangements (including job shares).
to obtain, security clearance to SC level. More 1. To Shared Service-Connected Ltd (0845
To discuss your needs in more detail please
information about the vetting process can be
241 5358 (Monday to Friday 08.00 - 18.00)
get in touch with the SCS Recruitment Team.
found here.
or e-mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-
Where will the role be based?
Will this role be overseen by the Civil
enquiries@gov.sscl.com)
Service Commission?
If successful you will be based at one of the
2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing
MOJ National Hubs based on your home
No. However, the recruitment process will still
(resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk)
location. Relocation costs will not be
be governed by the Civil Service Commission’s 3. To the Civil Service Commission
reimbursed.
Recruitment Principles.
(https://civilservicecommission.independent
You will also be required to travel to various
What do I do if I want to make a complaint?
.gov.uk/contact-us/)
MoJ locations in the UK including London and
What should I do if I think that I have a
Leeds when necessary.
The law requires that selection for appointment
to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of
conflict of interest?
Can I claim back any expenses incurred
fair and open competition as outlined in the
If you believe that you may have a conflict of
during the recruitment process?
Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment
interest you must declare it by contacting SCS
Principles.
Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse
Recruitment on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk
you, except in exceptional circumstances.
Should you feel that the recruitment process
before submitting your application.
has breached the recruitment principles and
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Data Sharing
We will ensure that we will treat all improve these experiences, and ultimately
2. Processing is of a specific category of
organisation performance.
personal data and it is necessary for the
personal information in accordance
purposes of identifying or keeping under
with data protection legislation,
Sensitive personal data is personal data
review the existence or absence of equality
revealing racial or ethnic origin, political
including the General Data
of opportunity or treatment between groups
opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or
of people with a view to enabling such
Protection Regulation and Data
trade union membership, and the processing of
equality to be promoted or maintained.
genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of
Protection Act 2018.
uniquely identifying a natural person, data
3. Please note if you are successful in your
Data Sharing
concerning health or data concerning a natural
application your sensitive personal data will
person's sex life or sexual orientation.
be used as part of the on-boarding process
To process your application your personal data
to build your employee record.
The legal basis for processing your
will be shared with the Ministry of Justice SCS sensitive personal data is:
For further information please see the GDPR
Recruitment Team, campaign Panel Members
Privacy Notice.
and anyone else necessary as part of the
1. Processing is necessary for reasons of
recruitment process.
substantial public interest for the exercise
of a function of the Crown, a Minister of the
The legal basis for processing your
Crown, or a government department: it is
personal data is:
important to know if groups of staff with
Processing is necessary for the performance of
specific demographic characteristics have a
a task carried out in the public interest.
better or worse experience of working for
Personal data are processed in the public
the Civil Service, so that appropriate action
interest because understanding civil servant
can be taken to level this experience;
experiences and feelings about working in the
Civil Service can inform decision taken to
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Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain
and invest in talent where 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 SCS Recruitment on
scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk.
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