General Information Salary The national salary is £56,532 - £64,048, London salary range is £61,201 - £69,338. 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 Belfast, London Region London, Northern Ireland Closing Date 30-Jan-2025 Post Type Loan Civil Service Grade Grade 7 Number of jobs available 3 Job ID 2136 Descriptions & requirements Job description ABOUT THE ROLE: These are stretching Grade 7 roles working as team leads in the Transformation, Constitution, and Rights Group within the Northern Ireland Office. The team is responsible for delivering some of the NIOs highest priorities and most complex and interesting policy areas, including: transformation of public services, elections, human rights, identity and cultural issues, and supporting devolution. The roles offer significant autonomy and the post-holder should be comfortable leading across a range of policy areas and managing diverse stakeholders, across Government departments, the Northern Ireland Civil Service and external stakeholders in NI civil society. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work on a wider portfolio of responsibilities than might be the case in a larger department, with considerable exposure to Ministers and senior officials. The successful candidates will be expected to manage a high-performing team to deliver Ministerial and UK Government priorities for Northern Ireland. We are looking for self-starters, with an eye for detail and the ability to grasp technical issues, good political nous, and the ability to anticipate and handle issues at an early stage. You will be a strong leader, able to see the big picture, and think strategically and operate in uncertain circumstances. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The main responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to: Leading on a defined policy portfolio within the Transformation, Constitution and Rights space to support the NI devolution settlement. Navigating a politically high-profile range of issues to deliver high-quality advice to senior officials and Ministers on a broad range of issues, helping to drive forward the governments priorities. Building and managing relationships with UK government departments, NI Civil Service and external stakeholders in Northern Irish civil society to influence policy. Line management of a small team. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: Strong policy-making skills, with an eye for detail; Proven ability to develop and maintain networks with senior stakeholders across a range of sectors to deliver objectives; Strategic thinking skills and evidence of working on complex policy and or legal issues in uncertain and highly political circumstances; Experience of influencing, and working effectively with, Senior Officials, collaborating across the NIO and other Government Departments to resolve difficult issues; Excellent communication skills and experience of drafting high-quality, accurate written briefing to tight deadlines, and of providing effective oral briefing to Ministers/senior officials; Sound judgement, with the ability to think strategically and creatively and an ability to resolve or escalate complex issues as appropriate; Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to work effectively across a range of tasks and under pressure. DESIRABLE CRITERIA: An understanding of the NI political landscape and devolution settlement. APPLICATION We will assess the following Civil Service Behaviours at sift: Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace EXPERIENCE: Please provide a CV and statement of suitability no longer than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria. Both will be used in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role. Your statement of suitability needs to set out evidence of how your experience meets the requirements set out above. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. One narrative example may cover the requirements needed. You dont have to explain the whole process, just what you have done and the skills and experience you have used. Share with us what makes you suited to this role and why. What you can do, the skills you have that are transferable and the life experience or passion you have that are linked to this role. If you dont have work-based examples then give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in. You will also be asked to complete a CV with details of your education, professional qualifications, previous skills and full employment history. Your CV will not be formally assessed so please put the main evidence of your skills into your personal statement. Your CV will be used to add context to your personal statement. More information on behaviours and success profiles can be found. Please note that in the event of a large number of applications being received we may run the initial sift on the lead Behaviour Communicating and Influencing. INTERVIEW: You will be assessed against the same two behaviours for the application stage, plus two further behaviours at the interview stage. You will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated the four behaviours listed below. Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Working Together It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain: WHO- What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? Or STAR- What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions? OFFER Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email. Offers will be made in strict merit order to the highest scoring candidate first. The successful candidate will be notified of a start date following successful security checks. Additional information received after the closing date will not be considered. Failure to provide sufficient information in support of an application prior to the closing date will not be considered as grounds for an appeal if an applicant is not shortlisted for interview. SECURITY CLEARANCE: This role requires National Security Vetting given the access to sensitive information afforded by the job role. You can find more information by reviewing the information held in the following links: United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK ( The vetting charter - GOV.UK ( In addition, t is a minimum UK residency requirement set by the Cabinet Office which is dependent on the security level required for the role. This role requires SC and to be eligible to apply for this role you should have been present in the UK continuously for the past 5 years. Neither Detached Duty terms nor relocation costs will apply to this post. Further Information: Further information about the post may be obtained from Eleanor Hayden via email to All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. This job description should not be taken as constituting conditions of employment. Please note that due to the high interest in NIO opportunities, feedback cannot be given if you are unsuccessful at the sift stage. Feedback is available on request if unsuccessful following the interview. Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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 everyones 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 MoJs 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, w 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 MoJs 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. T 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. T 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. 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 or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at 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 ); To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (); To the Civil Service Commission (details available ) 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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team. 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. Diversity & Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Contact Information If you require any assistance please call (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail. Please quote the job reference 2136 Job Description Attachment _G7 TCRG - Transformation & Mat Leave (Job Description Attachment) Select new file Application form stage assessments Behaviours 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, w all behaviours will then be considered. Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability Interview stage assessments Behaviours Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Working Together 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 Security Clearance (SC)