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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £42,914- £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
Leeds, London, Loughborough
Region
London, Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber
Closing Date
09-Jun-2026
Post Type
Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
18004

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Digital Instructional Design Lead (Magistrates)

This is a fixed term post of 2 years, with a possibility of a 1 year extension.

The Digital Instructional Design Lead (Magistrates) will work collaboratively with teams from across the College to create engaging and high-quality digital learning resources for use across the College’s training for magistrates. 

The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.

In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.

We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.

The Judicial College requires a digital instructional design lead (magistrates) to work collaboratively with existing teams involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of training for the magistracy. The demand for this role arises from current and forthcoming changes to the jurisdiction and powers of magistrates coupled with the projected increase in the size of the magistracy.    

The successful applicant will join a newly formed change delivery team, supporting the delivery of a modernised programme of training for an expanding magistracy. The role will require close working and collaboration with a range of other College teams, including the Judicial Education and Digital Learning team and the Magistrates Training Delivery team. The Judicial Education and Digital Learning team, in particular, comprises a range of education professionals and subject matter experts supporting the design, delivery and evaluation of training to the contemporary judiciary. While that team supports the design and delivery of training across all courts and tribunals, the magistrates court and the coroners court, this new role will focus specifically on the College’s training provision for magistrates and legal advisers. 

The successful applicant will work with subject matter experts to (1) adapt existing training resources for digital delivery (both synchronous and asynchronous) and (2) design and develop new digital training assets, as appropriate. 

This is a judiciary-facing role, and the post-holder will be required to work collaboratively with judicial office holders, as well as colleagues from across the Judicial College and wider Judicial Office. The post-holder must accordingly be prepared to be flexible (to meet the evolving training demands of the magistracy in England and Wales) and to be confident in the application of relevant guidance and policies (to maintain the integrity of the Judicial College’s training activities).

The role will support the College in developing and delivering innovative and high-quality digital training interventions to consistently meet the diverse needs of the contemporary magistracy.

Eligibility

You must secure line manager approval in applying for this role.  [Judicial Office staff applying will need Deputy Director approval.]  This is essential because you will need to be released swiftly (no later than 4 weeks) with the expectation that you will return to your home department at the end of the fixed term.

Key Responsibilities

  • Work with subject matter experts (SMEs), stakeholders, and key College teams to define and refine training needs, course aims and learning outcomes based on robust data analysis and evidence.
  • Apply instructional design methodologies to design, create, and test user-centred, effective, engaging and scalable digital learning solutions for magistrates (both synchronous and asynchronous resources including e-learning modules, online tutor-led training and blended learning solutions).
  • Support SMEs to develop learning content through, for example, the creation of templates and written/video guidance.
  • Evaluate and test learning materials to ensure effectiveness, making iterative improvements based on feedback data (quantitative and qualitative).
  • Develop and maintain effective and engaging digital learning resources using appropriate software and platforms.
  • Build and nurture engagement with the magistracy and (as relevant) the wider judiciary.
  • Ensure all content meets the College’s accessibility standards in accordance with contemporary good / best practice.
  • Manage multiple projects while delivering to demanding, tight and/or fixed deadlines.
  • Travel as required between College offices and (as necessary) training venues. In this regard, magistrates training is delivered across seven areas, comprising six regions in England plus Wales.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills

  • Understanding of training methodology including the theory and practice of adult learning, particularly in an online/digital context.
  • Experience in the facilitation of online and/or in-person training or presentations.
  • The ability to apply well-established instructional design principles to create scalable, learner-centred training resources that address complex and diverse needs.
  • The ability to effectively navigate the challenges of designing for large cohorts and across modular programmes, ensuring solutions are cohesive, engaging, and impactful.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and proactively with others across teams to ensure that stakeholders engage effectively with training development and delivery.
  • Experience in communicating effectively with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders at all seniority levels.
  • Confident engagement with senior stakeholders and effective influencing skills to maintain the quality and integrity of training resources.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to prioritise accordingly, adapting effectively to quickly evolving situations.
  • Ability to handle and manage challenges and uncertainty with positivity, and to maintain high-quality digital training content and outputs when working to short-term and/or fixed deadlines.
  • A flexible approach to work, with the ability to tailor innovative approaches to maximise learning and a willingness to learn how to work with new and evolving digital tools.
  • Practical understanding of accessibility in digital learning content creation.

Desirable Knowledge Experience and Skills

  • Project management skills.
  • Experience of working with judicial office holders and knowledge of the judiciary, or the justice and/or legal system in England and Wales.
  • Experience of working in a law and/or policy-driven environment. 
Additional Information

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 roles: 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.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

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.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.

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:

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: 18004

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: 18004

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, 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
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Anticipated to be 18 June
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
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
Level of security checks required
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.