91811 - Judicial Appointments Commission - Head of Secretariat

Salary   £47,657 - £52,040 Number of jobs available   1 Detail of reserve list   12 Months Region   London City/Town   London Building/Site   CLIVE HOUSE LONDON, SW1H 9EX Grade   SEO Organisation Grade for MoJ   SEO Post Type   Permanent Working Pattern   Full Time, Flexible Working Role Type   Administration / Corporate Support, Business Management & Improvement, Governance, Other, Secretarial Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?   Yes 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

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh. 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 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.

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.

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 (0845 241 5358 (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 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. Closing Date:  

13/11/2024, 23:55 hours.

Contact information  

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference - 91811.

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

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).

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

• 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  

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit Seeing the Big Picture - 250 word limit Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit Experience CV Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, 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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy. Behaviours Managing a Quality Service Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Working Together Experience General experience question in line with JD/Essential criteria Additional Assessment(s) JAC Head of Secretariat work-based task

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'.

MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

· UK nationals

· nationals of the Republic of Ireland

· nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

· nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

· individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

· Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules