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General Information

Salary
£44,100 - £46,000
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Boston, Buxton, Chesterfield, Coalville, Derby, Grantham, Leicester, Lincoln, Loughborough, Mansfield, Newark-on-Trent, Nottingham, Skegness, Worksop
Region
East Midlands
Closing Date
05-Sep-2025
Business Unit
NPS East Midlands Headquarters (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8985

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

This role reports to the Regional Probation Director.

Supporting the RPD to ensure the effective delivery of probation services within the region, provide assurance to the RPD of effective delivery and maintain a broad understanding of issues and business across MoJ, acting as the link between the Region and HQ.

They will be accountable for delivering effective coordination and business
management of the RPD’s private office. The post is based in the RPD’s Private Office
with line management responsibilities.

Summary

The postholder will need to be persuasive and influence others views positively, to deal confidently and tactfully with other colleagues.

Judgement and decision making – including readiness to take a high level of responsibility and the ability to exercise sound and sometimes rapid judgement based on the evidence presented in a range of situations.

The ability to analyse stakeholder positions and formulate proposals and options for consideration by the RPD, taking into account wider issues.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Coordinate activity in the RPDs private/regional office; ensuring efficient and effective diary management, provision of documents and smooth running of the private/regional office.
• Represent the RPD in non-operational matters with stakeholders, correspondents, members of the public and others as determined by the RPD
• Commission work on key regional objectives In live with the organisations corporate plans working to challenging timescales and ensuring delivery on time and to required quality standards. Commissioning will be to SMEs and involve the RPD’s lead specialist operational responsibility as well as the day to day operation of the region including Accredited Programmes and Interventions; Acquisitive Crime; County Lines; Domestic Violence and MARAC; Foreign National Offenders; Health; Performance & Quality; Young Adults including Care Experienced.
• Receive correspondence, review, prepare briefings for the RPD and draft responses. Ensuring the RPD is informed of matters where necessary and is involved in decision-making at the appropriate time and level.
• Manage the RPD Office budget, with delegated authority to approve expenditure up to approved limits within Financial Regulations.
• Line manage the RPD Office team, including diary manager, senior admin officer and other staff who may be assigned to the office from time to time. Additionally, to be the head of professional for PDU BMs across the region.
 • Maintain and grow good relationships and working contacts with the CPO’s office, DG office and senior leaders across HMPPS and MoJ as well as MoJ Press Office. Develop effective working relationships with relevant Ministerial offices and local MPs, and other criminal justice agencies e.g. office of the Chief Constable, Directors of Social Services etc. Be the point of contact for centralised/HQ services.
• Manage all incoming e-mails/correspondence to the RPD and prioritise the work accordingly. Responding direct where it is possible to do so without reference to the RPD, including handling all incoming telephone calls and enquiries to the RPD’s private office, responding direct where possible and ensuring effective resolution in order to maintain organisational reputation.
• Prepare RPD bi-lats with the CPO and visit reports in preparation for meetings with Heads of PDU, ensuring any actions are carried out.
• Support the updating of Regional Corporate risk reports and review of high- risk recommendations, and maintaining implementation plans across the Region, progress chasing as appropriate. Undertake ad-hoc projects and investigations on behalf of RPD.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Essential Experience

• Experience of working at a managerial level in a complex environment is required.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement at various levels is essential.
• The postholder will need to be persuasive and influence others views positively, to deal confidently and tactfully with other colleagues. Judgement and decision making – including readiness to take a high level of responsibility and the ability to exercise sound and sometimes rapid judgement based on the evidence presented in a range of situations.
• Experienced organiser, coordinating, preparing briefs & correspondence; gatekeeping/protecting and taking the pressure away from the RPD.
• Typically, this individual will have worked in a private office as an assistant, with a developed understanding of the workings of civil service protocols
• Experience of dealing with correspondence, dealing with ministers, MPS,
senior leaders in complex high volume/busy environments.

Technical requirements

• level 5 or equivalent qualification .

Ability

• High level IT and Business Management skills.
• The ability to analyse stakeholder positions and formulate proposals and options for consideration by the RPD, taking into account wider issues.

Additional Information

Are you ready to play a pivotal role at the heart of probation service leadership in the East Midlands? We are seeking a dynamic and highly organised individual to lead the Regional Probation Director’s Private Office. This is a unique opportunity to influence regional delivery, manage high-level stakeholder relationships, and support strategic decision-making across a complex and fast-paced environment. Please note that the job description is currently subject to Job Evaluation, and as such, the banding may change. The successful candidate would move to the band identified through this evaluation process.

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). 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 roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

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.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS 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 HMPPS’ 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, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

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.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

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.

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.

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

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: 8985

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: 8985

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To Be Confirmed
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership
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?
Technical Test
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
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)