Judicial Appointments Commission - Policy Officer (Ref: 90485)
Ministry of Justice
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 30th September 2024
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Judicial Appointments Commission Job Description – Policy Officer
Are you well organised with outstanding stakeholder skills? Do you have great attention to detail and a passion for supporting your colleagues? Would you like the opportunity to support our team to develop policies and processes at the heart of judicial recruitment? If the answer is yes, you could be exactly who we’re looking for.
We’re looking for a Policy Officer to help us deliver high quality recruitment campaigns at pace. 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.
Our Policy Officer will play a key role in helping us to achieve that. They will work with our Policy Advisors and Selection Exercise Teams to help make sure our shortlisting and interview materials are challenging, fair and fulfil our statutory responsibilities. They will support our policy advisors to advise colleagues across the organisation, and beyond, on how to implement JAC policies correctly, and take on their own projects such as providing secretarial support for key JAC committees and making sure our key policy decisions are clearly recorded and shared with our exercise teams so that we can continue to run the most efficient and effective judicial recruitment process.
Main responsibilities
The role of JAC Policy Officer includes:
- Directly supporting a Senior Policy Advisor with selection exercise activity and supporting the wider Policy team where required. This may include attending selection exercise meetings and briefings.
- Assisting with reviews of selection material and taking forward internal policy work, such as providing policy advice and guidance to operational colleagues.
- Ensuring the JAC’s Selection Exercise Policy Guide and selection exercise templates are reviewed and revised as appropriate to reflect agreed changes.
- Processing character checks for judicial applicants, liaising with internal & external colleagues where necessary, and monitoring our Information Sharing Agreements with external stakeholders.
- Providing secretariat support for the JAC Welsh Matters Committee.
- Maintaining appropriate logs noting progression of work and policy decisions.
- Assisting in creating and lead on coordinating internal policy training and inductions.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Essential Criteria
- Excellent attention to detail with an ability to provide high quality support and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong organisational skills
- Good stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to interact with a wide variety of internal and external audiences (including senior staff and judges)
- Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor communications appropriately.
- The ability to quickly learn to use unfamiliar software to a good standard, with appropriate training
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.
While the JAC is an independent executive non-departmental public body, we are considered an arms-length body of the Ministry of Justice and share many of the same policies, processes and terms and conditions as Civil Servants employed directly by the MoJ. This includes being part of the MoJ pay remit, enabling transferees from other government departments to retain their continuity of service and Civil Service Pension arrangements.
Recruitment process details
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the recruitment process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Application process
You need to provide:
- Your CV
- A statement of suitability detailing the relevant skills and experience you have (250 words max). Please refer to the main responsibilities and essential criteria sections of the job description when writing your statement of suitability.
- Written evidence of the 2 core behaviours for this role: Making Effective Decisions and Delivering at Pace.
Sift
Applications will be sifted based on the CV, Statement of Suitability and the 2 behaviours Making Effective Decisions and Delivering at Pace.
If a large number of applications are received, candidates may be sifted on their CV, statement of suitability, and lead behaviour: Making Effective Decisions.
Interview
At interview we will assess you against 3 behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, and Communicating and Influencing. We will also ask you about your experience. You can find out more about the Civil Service’s recruitment framework 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 of their interview 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 October/early November. Interviews may be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams or face-to-face. 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 Steven Ball, Senior Policy Advisor
Steven.Ball1@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 Recruitment Team:
Person specification
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
• 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
• 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@sscl.gse.gov.uk
- Telephone : 0845 241 5359
Recruitment team
- Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk
Further information
