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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 £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
30-Aug-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20992

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Introduction

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice.  We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and want to make a difference in people’s lives in delivering justice. If you’re interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply. 

Job Description

The Head of Business Continuity and Resilience sits within the National Support Unit (NSU), reporting to the Head of Operational Incident Management and Resilience. This is a key national role, responsible for creating and implementing a strategy that will ensure robust, up to date, fit for purpose and flexible Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS) are in place, and aligned across HMCTS.

The role holder provides assurance to the HMCTS Senior Management Team (SMT) that the organisation is compliant with Civil Contingencies Act 2004 - Part 6, International Standard ISO:22301 and BCI Good Practice Guide. They will ensure business continuity management arrangements are regularly tested and reviewed. They will be supported in this area of business by a team of competent staff allowing the role holder to maintain or as soon as possible resume the provision of key products and services in the event of disruption.

The role holder will build and maintain strong relationships across HMCTS and Ministry of Justice (MOJ), being an expert source of advice and guidance for senior stakeholders, senior managers, operational and HQ teams, enabling them to carry out appropriate business continuity activities and contingency planning.

The role holder will be expected to build and manage relationships with the following key contacts including collaborating, influencing, guiding, and supporting

  • Operational Performance team (to identify impact of business continuity events on performance)
  • MOJ Departmental Operating Centre including Corporate Business Continuity Team and cross Departmental Business Continuity Forum.
  • HMCTS Directorates – Communications, Digital and Technology Services, Property Directorate, HR, Finance Governance and Performance (Risk & Assurance).
  • Leading and influencing for HMCTS on national issues - MOJ Employee Relations Branch (preparation for the management of Industrial Action), MOJ HR (Pandemic Diseases Capability Board)
  • Leading Industrial Action Planning Group on behalf of Deputy Director (National Support Unit)
  • HMCTS Operational Directors and Delivery Directors
  • Network of contacts outside HMCTS notably within Crown Prosecution Service, Prison Escort and Custodial Services and HM Prison and Probation Service
  • Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat/COBR Unit.

Key responsibilities:

  • Responsible for shaping HMCTS policy and strategy on business continuity and resilience and obtaining SMT approval.
  • Develop and co-ordinate production of HMCTS Business Continuity Plans and contingency plans for around 360 sites within a national framework, providing advice and assurance to SMT on organisational and operational resilience.
  • Responsible for engagement on all Business Continuity Management System issues with internal and external stakeholders including MoJ and other government departments.
  • Promote and champion business continuity best practice across HMCTS at all levels.
  • Create and develop a Business Continuity Strategy including specific contingency plans to ensure the continuation of our services during and following any critical incident that results in disruption to the normal operational capability of HMCTS.
  • Lead a team to develop and work collaboratively with senior operational managers on an approach to ensure standards are consistent and are continuously improved subsequently ensuring recovery of key business areas in the event of disruption or major incident.
  • Support HMCTS through change including the work of major programmes and projects by providing advice and strategic direction to ensure delivery includes robust and relevant Business Continuity Management procedures.
  • Lead and assure the delivery of HMCTS Gold Command Secretariat functions, maintaining strategic oversight of national incidents and emerging risks to ensure appropriate escalation, governance and decision-making support is always available to senior leaders.
  • Facilitate the testing of both national and local business continuity/crisis management plans, using own judgement to anticipate and identify any potential risks; assist in the running of tests and acting as the senior liaison officer between the Departments Gold/Silver/Bronze response teams and senior business partners to ensure effective communication between business areas and key stakeholders.
  • Provide SMT with an assurance that HMCTS is in the best possible position to respond to a critical incident, protecting and where possible enhancing the reputation and credibility of the organisation with a significant influence on the important external relationships with the scope to influence and enhance the organisation’s Reputation.

Essential skills

  • Comprehensive people management and leadership skills and experience, working with and through others to build capability and confidence
  • Experience of working with and influencing senior management and stakeholders.
  • Experience or knowledge of HMG Security Policy Framework and its overarching principles.
  • Experience of operational delivery environment and operational incident management at a local or national level.
  • Certificate of the Business Continuity Institute/Member of the Business Continuity Institute or a willingness to work towards it.
  • Strong communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to draft and present papers at committees or boards.
  • Proficient with IT – MS products.
  • Experience or knowledge of a public policy environment.
  • Experience or knowledge of monitoring and evaluation.

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 20992

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 20992

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, 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
Leadership
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
Interviewing from the 23/09 subject to change
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic
Security Clearance (SC)

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.