Judicial Appointments Commission - Head of Secretariat (Ref: 91811)
Ministry of Justice
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 13th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Job description
Judicial Appointments Commission – Head of Secretariat
Are you a highly organised leader with a passion for working with others and making a difference at the heart of an organisation? Experienced in supporting senior leaders and Boards to deliver effective governance and oversight? If the answer is yes, you could be exactly who we’re looking for.
We’re looking for a Head of Secretariat to provide outstanding support to our Chair, Board of Commissioners, and senior leadership team. As an independent public body, the Judicial Appointments Commission is responsible for designing, planning, and running recruitment campaigns to select judges in the courts and tribunals, up to and including the High Court, as well as non-legal tribunal members. You can read more about our work on our website: http://judicialappointments.gov.uk
With a new recruitment campaign launched every couple of weeks, and statutory responsibilities to make sure we select candidates on merit and through fair and open competition, it’s essential that our processes are robust, inclusive, and attractive to candidates from the widest possible backgrounds. It’s essential that the JAC delivers against our strategy and our Chair and Board can support the organisation to drive forward our priorities.
Our Head of Secretariat role is essential for us achieving that ambition. They lead a team who are responsible for planning and managing the work of our Commission Board, coordinating meetings, developing administrative policies and procedures, providing high quality briefings on key issues to our Chair and Chief Executive, and supporting the JAC to have effective relationships with a range of high-profile stakeholders across the judiciary, legal system and beyond. The also play a key role in ensuring that colleagues across the JAC understand the role of the JAC Commission Board and factor their needs into our operational and policy activity.
Main responsibilities
Reporting to the JAC’s Deputy Chief Executive, your main responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring the Chairman and Commissioners, Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive receive high quality briefing, advice, and logistical support, working closely with colleagues and key partners to drive forward their priorities.
- Planning and managing the business of the Commission Board and various sub committees, ensuring Commissioners receive high quality advice on JAC strategy and policy, and leading on Board governance.
- Planning and managing the business of the Selection and Character Committee, where Commissioners make individual decisions to recommend candidates for judicial appointment.
- Providing support to the JAC Chairman, particularly in relation to their role of chairing the Board and Selection and Character Committee.
- Supporting and assisting Commissioners in the maintenance and promotion of relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, including Ministers and senior judiciary.
- Leading on Commission policy on the ‘good character’ of candidates, as well as policies that have a direct impact on Commissioners and the governance of the organisation.
- Working with colleagues across the organisation to ensure that all teams understand Commissioners’ responsibilities and requirements, and that these are reflected in digital and policy development.
- Leading on the induction and appraisal of Commissioners and leading for the JAC on recruitment of Commissioners.
- Coordinating engagement with parliamentary committees, including oral and written evidence.
- Leading on internal and external Board effectiveness reviews.
- Working with the MoJ to keep joint governance arrangements under review.
- Directly supporting the Chief Executive on internal governance, including through managing meetings of the Senior Leaders Team.
- Line management of a small team (2x HEOs, 1x EO) and oversight of the daily operations of the team.
Essential Criteria
- An ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, including at a senior level.
- Experience of influencing and engaging a wide range of internal and external audiences and adapting your communication style to suit the needs of the audience.
- Excellent written and oral briefing skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and to work effectively under pressure
- Ability to make well judged, evidence-based decisions
- Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
- Excellent IT skills and the ability to develop the skills to work with new digital solutions.
- Previous line management experience or willingness to take on these responsibilities.
What we can offer you
We offer a range of benefits including an attractive annual leave allowance, flexible and hybrid working opportunities, and choice of pension schemes. We actively encourage all staff to undertake learning and development as part of their personal objectives.
Recruitment process details
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Application process
- Your CV
- A statement of suitability outlining how you meet the essential criteria for the post (500 words max).
- Written evidence of the following behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, and Communicating and Influencing (250 words each)
Sift
Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability, and the behaviours Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, and Communicating and Influencing:
If a large number of applications are received, candidates may be sifted on their CV, statement of suitability, and lead behaviour: Managing a Quality Service.
Interview
At interview you we will assess you against all 4 behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Communicating and Influencing, and Working Together.
The panel will also ask you about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service success profiles here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Applicants invited for interview may be required to undertake a brief work exercise either before or on the day as part of the selection process. More details will be provided if you are invited to interview.
Interviews are expected to take place in late November/early December 2024. Interviews will be conducted either remotely via Microsoft Teams or at the JAC offices in Clive House, London. More details on the arrangements will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Reserve List
As well as appointing to the vacancy listed above, we may place other candidates on a 12-month reserve list for future vacancies.
Office Attendance
JAC staff are currently working in a hybrid way with a minimum of 2 days per week in the office in line with Government Policy. Applicants for this role should note that they may be required to attend the office more than 2 days per week in line with business need.
Please note, the JAC has been advised that it will be moving from its current office location at Clive House, Petty France, London, SW1H 9AJ, by September 2025. No details about the new office site are available at this time, however the organisation will remain in London.
Working Patterns
We would consider a part time, compressed hours or job share application that ensured business needs were met.
Further Information
If after reading this job description you require any further information, please contact Jessica Prandle, JAC Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Strategy and Policy, at Jessica.Prandle@judicialappointments.gov.uk
If you have any questions about the recruitment campaign, or any terms and conditions relating to the role, please contact the JAC HR Division:
Recruitment@judicialappointments.gov.uk
Person specification
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Benefits
- Access to learning and development
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
- Annual Leave
- Public Holidays
- Season Ticket Advance
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
- Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
- Telephone : 0845 241 5359
Recruitment team
- Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
Further information
