Strategy Advisor, Strategy and Modernisation, Judicial OfficeMinistry of Justice
21112
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Role title:
Strategy Advisor (2 roles)
Team/Directorate:
• Strategy and Modernisation Team
• Strategy, Information & Digital Directorate
Overview of the Judicial Office
The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The JO is an interesting and unique place to work. Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.
We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.
Overview of the team
The Strategy and Modernisation Team supports the senior judiciary to deliver their strategic priorities in a cross jurisdictional way; it plays an integral part in providing policy expertise across the Judicial Office, developing key policy, and advising the most senior judges on the strategic questions of the day. The team works across all jurisdictions (civil, family, tribunals, crime and coronial as well as on cross-jurisdictional projects such as One Judiciary), working with a range of judges. The team has close links with several different teams within Judicial Office, in particular HR Policy, the Judicial College and the Private Offices. Externally the team has close working relationships with HMCTS and MoJ and represents the judiciary on a number of boards and working groups.
Hybrid Working Requirement
This position is eligible for hybrid working (current minimum requirement for time spent at base location is 60%, which is subject to business requirements).
Summary of the role
We have two HEO roles available. One is available on a permanent basis, and the other on loan until the end of March 2028, with the possibility of extension.
These are exciting opportunities to provide direct support to the senior judiciary in the delivery of their vision for the modernisation of the justice system. The successful applicants will work on varied projects within a multifunctional team and have regular contact with the senior judiciary. Working with G7s and SEOs, post-holders will help in identifying and designing policies and strategies and working with varied stakeholders to ensure that plans are deliverable and implemented. You will need to be able to deal with senior judges and officials with confidence with an ability to influence upwards, providing both oral and written briefings to senior judges and colleagues and providing secretariat support to various judicial working groups.
The role will involve working across Judicial Office and wider government to establish strong relationships and effect change. This is likely to be within civil, family and tribunals, but there is the possibility of providing support also to the criminal jurisdiction, or cross-jurisdictionally as the needs of the team flex.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:
• Support the delivery of specific projects, including in relation to digitisation, AI adoption by judges and jurisdictionally specific aims to enhance productivity.
• Support the senior judiciary with the implementation of the rollout of modernisation initiatives or with consultation on change.
• Liaison with HMCTS, MoJ and other teams across Judicial Office to ensure the judiciary are effective participants and leaders in the delivery of various initiatives or projects.
• Able to grip boards chaired by judges ensuring effective agendas and capturing accurate notes and maintaining action logs.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
• Be able to influence and manage upwards and speak with authority when dealing with senior officials or judiciary.
• Have excellent communication skills, and an ability to flex styles according to need.
• Have strong organisational skills and the ability to drive multiple work strands forward, keeping track of milestones and deadlines.
• Have excellent written skills and be able to draft high quality briefing and advice
• Keen attention to detail
• Proven ability to collaborate well across the team, wider organisation and externally, often at high levels, working with others to identify areas for improvement.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills
• Experience of working with the judiciary, and an interest in the workings of the courts and tribunals system more widely.
• Experience of supporting the delivery of strategies/policies from inception to completion.
Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles)
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
Assessment process at application
Behaviours examples and a Statement of Suitability of up to 500 words.
Assessment process at interview
Behaviour and strength-based interview.
Security clearance required:
Select one of the below.
(this will be determined by the location)
- DBS
- CTC
- SC
- DV
Please note:
Central Government policy dictates that applicants for National Security Clearance must be a resident in the UK for these minimum periods: