Various Policy Roles

We are recruiting for various roles at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) level which could include working as a:

• Policy Advisor: Regional Growth


• Policy Advisor: Domestic Affairs and Trade


Additional posts may become available and therefore a reserve list will be held for 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Purpose of the Role:

The post holder will play an integral role in working with key stakeholders throughout Whitehall delivering policy on reserved matters, whilst progressing the Secretary of State's priorities. You will be expected to build effective relationships across Whitehall to deliver the Regional Growth deals within Wales and the wider UK Government five core missions. You will need to work at pace to often challenging deadlines with an ability to draw together different sources of information and make sense of it for busy Ministers. You will need to be proficient in keeping abreast of the latest developments within Wales and throughout the rest of the UK., You will be effective at briefing others, be well organised, and be able to deliver at pace. You will be capable of learning new policy areas quickly. You will have well-honed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with stakeholders quickly and have the confidence to provide challenge to colleagues where appropriate.

• Providing high quality advice and written briefing to the Secretary of State (SoS) or the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (PUSS) on matters relating to areas of Regional Growth Deals and Domestic Affairs and Trade.


• Replying to written correspondence from Parliamentarians, external groups, or members of the public, for example, and supporting the SoS/PUSS to prepare for Parliamentary engagements, such as Welsh Affairs Committee appearances and Welsh Orals sessions in the House of Commons.


• Working with other Government Departments across Whitehall and wider external stakeholders in Wales to ensure that Welsh interests are fully reflected in UK Government policy.


• Communicating and managing relationships with Local Authorities, Welsh Government, and other UK Government Departments across the Regional Growth Deals.


• Researching key information to support Ministers and Senior Officials.


• Developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal teams including Private Office and the Correspondence Team, working with them to effectively manage expectations and resolve issues where they arise to ensure consistent delivery.


• Line management responsibility., 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, 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.

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.,
• You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government


• You were studying abroad


• You were living overseas with parents


In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles

Please evidence in your Statement of Suitability, how closely you match the essential criteria:

Essential:

• The ability to work autonomously.



• The ability to plan and manage your workload, adapting quickly to changing circumstances, using initiative, and working proactively as part of a team.


• Proven ability to analyse information from a wide range of sources, working accurately with good attention to detail.


• An ability to communicate confidently with people at all levels and build rapport with important stakeholders.


• Experience of drafting, ensuring your work is accurate and precise.


• Intermediate or advanced IT skills, with specific experience of using Microsoft Office suite.



• Travel may be required to provide support on Ministerial visits or when attending stakeholder meetings.


Desirable:

• Welsh Language skills., To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.


For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert)., Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Experience
Statement of Suitability - 750 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, 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.

The Wales Office is the face of the UK Government in Wales and the voice of Wales in Westminster. We support the Secretary of State for Wales and the Ministerial team in representing Wales at the heart of Government. We work in partnership with other Government Departments and other stakeholders to deliver a stronger Wales within a strong United Kingdom.

This is an exciting time to be involved in policy within UK Government and the need for Whitehall departments to understand how to work with the devolved administrations in the context of legislative change has never been greater.

Our departmental values are Commitment, Collaboration and Quality. These shape how we operate in a challenging, demanding and fast paced environment which requires flexibility, transparency and professionalism.

The Office is based over two sites, with one base in Cardiff and another in London. As an accredited smarter working organisation, we offer considerable flexibility around 'the way we work.' We have great technology and an attractive employee benefits package which includes a commitment to investing in the learning & development of our staff.

About the team:

The team operates across a wide range of reserved and devolved policy areas, working to identify opportunities to benefit Wales within emerging UK Government policy and acting to identify issues and resolve misunderstandings. This influence-strong brief requires a flexible approach to engagement and an excellent understanding of the bigger picture.

The Regional Growth team oversees governance and assurance of the UK Government investment in Wales' four City and Regional Growth Deals currently in delivery - the Cardiff City Deal, the Swansea Bay City Deal, the Mid Wales Growth Deal, and the North Wales Growth Deal.

The Domestic Affairs and Trade team sits with the wider Policy team. It consists of a Grade 7, a Higher Executive Officer, and an Executive Officer. The Domestic Affairs and Trade team combines its work to progress longer-term, strategic objectives with an agile and responsive role in the department.

Team members will often be called upon to provide briefing for Ministers or senior officials and provide understanding and insight on the impact of current events on their policy areas., The Wales Office is not an employer in its own right. Staff recruited to work at the Wales Office will be employees of the Ministry of Justice who provide employment services on our behalf.

This role requires CTC level clearance. Applicants for National Security Clearance (CTC) must be resident in the UK for 3 years immediately prior to their application for Security Clearance. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years), you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.

If you do not meet the above requirement, you may still be considered for the role if, for example:

• You have been serving overseas with HM Armed Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government.


• You were studying abroad.


• You were living overseas with parents.
  
  The national salary is £32,827 - £35,678, London salary is £37,174 - £40,403. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, Salary £32,827 - £35,678 (National) / £37,174 - £40,403 (London) Your salary will be dependant on your base location, 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.

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);


• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);


• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)


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.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

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.
Interview dates
Interviews expected late October 2024.
Closing Date, Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation
Any candidate who has been assessed as being appointable to the role they applied for may be offered a similar, lower grade role, if one is available. Furthermore, any candidate who has just missed meeting the criteria for a particular role, may be appointed to a similar role at a lower grade if such a role is available, and if they have been assessed as meeting the criteria for the lower grade role. These appointments will also be made in merit order.

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 are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.