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General Information

Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Leeds, London
Region
London, Yorkshire and the Humber
Closing Date
15-Jun-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SCS 2
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
6419

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

The Policy Group is responsible for setting and advising on policy across the full range of the Department’s responsibilities, including criminal, civil, family and administrative justice; the criminal and civil law; the court system, legal aid and support and the legal services sector; the prison and probation systems, and offender policy; the youth justice system; the UK’s domestic human rights framework and international obligations; and MoJ’s international and Union-strengthening strategies. It also supports the Lord Chancellor in her constitutional relationship with the judiciary and oversees the constitutional relationship between the UK and the Crown dependencies. 

This new Probation and Reoffending Directorate is being created to bring our policy work on probation and reducing re-offending closer together, and to respond to increasing demands on these important services. This directorate will also provide significant policy input to help deliver the Lord Chancellor’s priority of using technology solutions to manage offenders in the community.

Reporting to the Director General of Policy, you will be accountable for:

  • Leading the Department's work on probation policy and delivering Ministerial priorities in this area. This will include working closely with HMPPS colleagues to develop and deliver the Department's probation policy response to the ongoing Independent Sentencing Review.
  • Leading the Department's work on Community and Reoffending policy (including accommodation, employment, the reducing reoffending strategy, resettlement policy and BOLD).
  • Working with partners across the justice system, including prisons and probation, police, Whitehall Departments (particularly Home Office, DfE and DHSC), the third sector and local authorities.
  • Manage an allocated budget and ensure that the Directorate is staffed with high quality colleagues.
  • Management of 3 Deputy Directors. Probation Policy, and Community and Reoffending Policy, and Reducing Reoffending Analysis Division.
  • Playing an active role as part of the leadership of the Policy Group (analysis, legal and policy), and championing diversity and inclusion and wellbeing.
  • Upholding the Civil Service Code and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

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.

Additional Information
For those interested in finding out more about the role, we encourage applicants to attend the information session on Tuesday 10th June 3PM which can be accessed by the following link: SCS 2 Director for Probation and Reoffending


You will be joining a great team and working on some of the most complex and important issues that make lives better for the citizens we serve. We particularly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. If you believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

For more information on how to apply please see the candidate information pack attached to this advert.
Contact Information
If you require any assistance please contact us on scsrecruitment@justice.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference in your email to enable us to support you more quickly.

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
It is important through the recruitment process that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria.

Essential criteria:

• A proven track record of leadership in a high profile, complex policy area subject to public and media scrutiny.
• The ability to develop and set long-term strategy which can lead to change in a complex system.
• A significant track record of visible and inclusive leadership which inspires staff and builds motivation, engagement and capability to deliver results.
• Strong demonstration of collaborative working across organisational boundaries, with excellent communication skills, and proven ability to engage and influence a broad range of stakeholders, to form strategy and secure positive outcomes.
• Confident and resilient under pressure with the personal ability to influence, challenge and gain trust at senior levels with Ministers, across Government and with wider stakeholder groups and partners at all levels.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected - Assessments: Week Commencing 30th June, Interviews: Week Commencing 7th July
Behaviours
Leadership
Working Together
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
SEE
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
DBS Standard
Security Clearance (SC)