Ministry of Justice UK

21054 - Senior Policy Advisor: Local Growth and Place Division

Ministry of Justice UK  •  £49k - £53k/yr  •  London, GB / Edinburgh, GB (Hybrid)  •  1 day ago
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Job Description

This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.


General Information


Salary

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. 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

Edinburgh, London

Region

London, Scotland

Closing Date

01-Sep-2026

Post Type

Loan

Civil Service Grade

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

21054


Descriptions & requirements


Job description

The Scotland Office supports the Secretary of State for Scotland, promoting the best interests of Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom. It ensures Scottish interests are fully and effectively represented at the heart of the UK Government, and that the UK Government’s responsibilities are fully and effectively represented in Scotland.

This role sits within the Social, Rural and Fiscal (SRF) Policy Team in the Local Growth and Place Division of the Scotland Office.The SRF team covers a diverse range of policy areas, including departmental account management for DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA and elements of MHCLG and HMT. As such, the post-holder will be required to work flexibly, collaborating within and across teams on new policy areas and priorities as they arise.

The successful candidate will be expected to support and lead on a wide variety of work including researching, monitoring, and advising Ministers on emerging policy issues and opportunities for Scotland; and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the department has oversight and input on issues relating to Scotland.

This is a great opportunity for any individual who is keen to use their initiative to identify and deliver impactful change in Scotland; enjoys working in a fast paced environment with a lot of autonomy and exposure to seniors and Ministers.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Leading the Account Management (i.e. regular engagement, opportunity and risk tracking, information management etc.) for DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA, MHCLG and HMT. You will be allocated specific departments, however, to ensure resilience cross-team we also operate flexibly across accounts.

  • Advising the Team Leader, the Deputy Director, Director, SpAds and Ministers on issues relating to your accounts.

  • Picking up ad hoc policy design and delivery support for wider team and Divisional priorities.

  • Leading correspondence, Write-Rounds and external engagement on policy areas that fall within the policy areas of your accounts.

Essential criteria

Strong communication and writing skills - with close attention to detail and ability to adapt styles appropriately in line with audience needs;

Experience in policy influencing and policy development (inc. research and analysis);

Strong understanding of cross-UK government delivery processes and departmental decision-making structures;

Desirable criteria

Understanding of Scottish devolution and policies.

Experience of working with or engaging with policy areas of some / all of the following departments: DCMS, DfE, DHSC, MoJ, DEFRA, MHCLG and HMT.

Experience of external stakeholder engagement and management and Government communications.


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: 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

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:

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.


Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 21054

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 21054


Job Description Attachment


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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, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

500

Communicating and Influencing

Making Effective Decisions

Seeing the Big Picture
Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability


Interview stage assessments


Interview Dates

Expected: Week commencing 14/09/2026
Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing

Making Effective Decisions

Seeing the Big Picture
Level of security checks required

Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Ministry of Justice UK

About Ministry of Justice UK

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Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
London, GB
Year Founded
2007
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