MoJ Permanent Recruitment SEO Job Advert

Job Title:Senior Implementation Adviser

Directorate:Planning, Performance, and Risk

Team:Implementation Unit (IU)

Location and Working Pattern:National by default recruitment

Duration:Permanent

Grade:2x SEO (open to applicants on level transfer and promotion)

About the role

The IU has recently joined the MoJ’s new Performance Delivery Unit (PDU) and provides the department with clear, practical insight into the drivers of performance and system challenges and ‘what works’ when it comes to improving performance.

We are recruiting for 2 Senior Implementation Advisers. In this role you will be responsible for delivering high-profile IU projects, working as part of small project teams, taking projects from scoping through to final report and presentation. You will engage directly with decision-makers, senior officials and frontline staff, turning complex evidence into clear, actionable recommendations that help drive improvements across the justice system.

You will also play a central and collaborative role within our bespoke team: strengthening our methods, tools and ways of working, and empowering and supporting colleagues.

With implementation and performance improvement a recently-affirmed Ministerial and Executive priority, this is an exciting time to join the team and help shape policy and operational decision-making at a crucial moment of change for the justice system.

About the team

The IU sits at the centre of the department, in the Performance Delivery Unit (PDU), within the newly-formed Planning, Performance, and Risk (PPR) Directorate.

The PDU can be commissioned by Ministers and ExCo to support priority areas by surfacing underlying causes of performance challenges, identifying practical levers for improvement, and bringing these insights into decision making and improvement planning.

The IU has an established reputation and methodology for conducting 2-4 month deep-dives sourcing and analysing qualitative data and insights from frontline staff to understand the ‘why’ behind the data.

The Directorate has five divisions, including the Planning and Performance Capability Office; the Performance Analysis Division; the Performance Delivery Unit; the Risk and Governance team; and the Departmental Operations Centre (DOC).The directorate was created to strengthen the MoJ’s ability to deliver departmental priorities by bringing together performance insight, delivery assurance and targeted intervention within a single, cohesive structure; enabling a step change in performance management across the department and the building of a high-performance culture.

The directorate ensures that our existing performance and planning processes are robust, evidence-based, and aligned to departmental priorities and the Justice Delivery Plan and is delivering a new programme of performance activity to influence the culture and behaviour of the organisation.

The team has a wide range of experience - some have worked in different parts of MoJ and other government departments, others have joined from outside the Civil Service, and some have previous experience working in frontline roles. We have a friendly, supportive and collaborative team culture that encourages learning and development on an individual and team level. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice.

To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

As a Senior Implementation Adviser, you will:

• Support the delivery of IU projects from scoping through to final report, leading on aspects where required.
• Gather and analyse frontline evidence, combining qualitative and quantitative sources to deliver clear, evidence-based insights.
• Translate complex findings into clear, compelling reports – using written as well as visual design techniques to make messages easy to understand and ensuring they land persuasively with Ministers, senior stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Support the provision of engaging workshops and presentations, from initial scoping sessions to sharing project findings- bringing together stakeholders with sometimes conflicting views, and facilitating constructive discussions that influence outcomes.
• Build collaborative, trusting relationships with colleagues, policy teams and executive agencies within the department and across government
• Innovate IU processes and tools, and help shape future project opportunities by building networks across the department.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Proactively engaging the project steering group and key stakeholders to scope projects – including comfortably using issue trees, conducting literature reviews, and analysing data.
• Designing and delivering structured fieldwork, including stakeholder interviews, workshops and site visits, to gather frontline and system-level insight.
• Analysing qualitative and quantitative evidence to identify root causes, system bottlenecks and practical opportunities for improvement.
• Working closely with policy, operational, analytical, and functional colleagues to develop evidence-based, deliverable recommendations.
• Contributing to the development of clear, compelling products for senior audiences, including Ministers, senior officials and cross-agency boards.
• Supporting effective project management, including maintaining delivery plans, tracking risks and issues, and escalating where appropriate.
• Building and maintaining strong and collaborative working relationships with colleagues, policy teams, and operational teams across MoJ and external partners

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of leading or contributing to complex projects or reviews and delivering to tight deadlines with a high degree of autonomy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources and identify clear, evidence-based conclusions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex issues clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Confidence engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including operational colleagues and senior leaders, and handling differing perspectives constructively.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple stages and priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment

Desirable

• Experience working with
• Experience working with senior governance processes
• Experience working on high-profile or politically sensitive issues
• Experience of qualitative research methods, including interviews, focus groups or workshop facilitation
• Experience of quantitative research methods, including data analysis, identifying and analysing patterns, and identifying and exploring relationships between variables

Please note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework

Sift

Please provide examples of how you have met each of the behaviours below:

• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-civil-service-behaviours#why-we-assess-behaviours

Experience

To apply, you will need to submit a statement of suitability (no more than 750 words). Your SoS should evidence your relevant skills and experience with reference to the essential criteria listed in the job description, and why you believe you are a suitable candidate for this role.

In the event of large number of applications, an initial sift will be carried out using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams. During the interview, we will be assessing you on the Behaviours listed above, and Strengths from the Success Profiles framework.

You will also be asked to give a short presentation (5 minutes) at interview. Details will be sent to those candidates invited to interview.

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: 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).

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.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.

Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.

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.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 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 Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
• 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.

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 TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos

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 Planand the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

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

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.