Ministry of Justice UK
22412 - Head of People Services
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Head of People Services
Team/Directorate
Business Support Team/DCEO
Overview of the Judicial Office
The Judicial Office is an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Justice, which supports the Lady Chief Justice and the wider judiciary in the effective administration of justice. It also supports the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend across England and Wales and, for some tribunals, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Everything we do supports the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an in-house people services function and have a tangible impact on a growing organisation of nearly 500 members of staff. The Judicial Office derives many of its HR policies from the sponsoring department so the prompt establishment of good relationships is key.
Overview of the team
The People Services Team is an established central function within the Judicial Office, and sits within the wider Business Support Team. It provides strategic people advice, organisational insight and practical services to the Judicial Office Management Board (JOMB), senior leaders, managers and staff. Its portfolio includes strategic workforce planning, recruitment, people policy, people data and analysis, learning and development, staff engagement, the People Survey, reward and recognition, talent and succession planning, and oversight of people-related risk.
Hybrid Working Requirement
This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).
Summary of the role
Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Head of People Services is the senior people adviser for the Judicial Office. The postholder will provide JOMB and senior leaders with authoritative, evidence-based advice on the organisation’s immediate and long-term people priorities, translating strategic objectives into a coherent people plan and ensuring that decisions reflect workforce capacity, capability, culture, inclusion, risk and affordability.
The role combines strategic leadership with strong operational grip. The postholder will lead and develop the People Services Team, maintain reliable business-as-usual services and create sufficient capacity to address longer-term priorities. They will be expected to challenge constructively, present clear options and recommendations, and ensure agreed actions are implemented and evaluated.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
- Provide JOMB, the Chief Executive and senior leaders with clear, evidence-based strategic people advice on current and longer-term organisational priorities.
- Lead proactive workforce planning and resourcing, using data on demand, skills, funding and organisational priorities to anticipate future needs.
- Provide strategic oversight of people policy, governance and risk, ensuring fair and controlled approaches across the Judicial Office.
- Turn people data, survey findings and engagement insight into clear priorities, targeted interventions and measurable improvements in culture and performance.
- Set the strategic direction for learning, capability and talent, aligning development activity with future workforce needs and priority capability gaps.
- Lead the People Services Team (currently five people) to deliver reliable business-as-usual services while maintaining capacity for strategic priorities and continuous improvement.
- Engage outwardly with MOJ and other ALBs to share best practice and influence the development and operation of core policies.
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Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Substantial experience of providing authoritative strategic people or HR advice to boards, executive teams or senior leaders in a complex organisation.
- A strong track record of translating organisational strategy and evidence into clear, deliverable medium- and long-term people priorities.
- Experience of balancing a broad operational service with strategic programmes, using prioritisation, delegation and performance management to deliver through others.
- Highly developed influencing and relationship-management skills, including the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders constructively.
- Experience of leading and developing a team, improving services and embedding consistent, customer-focused ways of working.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- CIPD qualification, or equivalent breadth and depth of professional HR experience.
Behaviours
The recruitment campaign will assess the following behaviours:
- Making Effective Decisions (lead behaviour)
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Assessment process at application
To apply, candidates should submit a CV and a statement of suitability of no more than 1000 words, demonstrating how they meet the essential criteria. They will also need to submit examples of how they meet the four behaviours.
Assessment process at interview
Candidates successful at sift will be invited to interview. Candidates will be set a 10-minute presentation in advance and will also be asked Civil Service strength questions.
Security clearance required:
Select one of the below.
(this will be determined by the location)
- DBS
- CTC
- SC
- DV
Please note:
Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods:
- CTC - 3 years
- SC - 5 years
- DV - 10 years
CTC
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 role: 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).
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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:
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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.
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Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
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Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
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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.
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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.
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