CJS Strategic Insights and Cross-Cutting Priorities Team LeaderMinistry of Justice
21597
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
This is an exciting opportunity to take up a fast-paced, varied and cross-system role with responsibility for driving change across the Criminal Justice System, shaping how evidence is brought together to inform decisions at the highest levels of government.
As part of the newly established CJS Strategy & Reform Directorate, the Strategic Insight and Cross Cutting Priorities Team Leader will operate at the heart of the Criminal Justice System, bringing together operational insight, analytical evidence, research, policy understanding and stakeholder intelligence to develop compelling, evidence-based narratives about system performance, demand, risks and emerging trends.
The directorate is in its early stages and both the team, and its remit will continue to evolve as the function matures. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys building new ways of working and is comfortable adapting to changing priorities and senior direction. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping not only the work of the team, but how the function develops over the longer term.
As the Strategic Insight and Cross-Cutting Priorities Team Leader, you will work closely with stakeholders in MoJ and across policy and operational partners, developing an understanding of challenges across the system and working together to find solutions. The role will be fast paced, stretching and varied, offering interaction across government and operational partners at all levels, including ministers and senior officials. In addition to coordinating inputs from teams across the CJS, the Cross-Cutting Team plays a crucial role in providing strategic oversight of cross-system issues, both internally and externally, for example drawing out the independencies and trade-offs between options for CJS reform. The team is also responsible for responding to urgent and reactive cross-system crises. Recent examples include helping to coordinate the cross-system response to the prison crisis, antisemitism and responding to the Southport riots.
Acting as the strategic integrator for the Criminal Justice System, the postholder will synthesise evidence from across analytical, operational and policy communities to develop a trusted whole-system understanding of the Criminal Justice System. They will act as the central point for developing the whole-system view of emerging issues, policy developments and operational challenges, translating complex evidence into clear strategic insight and advice that supports better whole-system decision-making.
This is not a specialist policy or analytical role. The successful candidate will operate as a strategic generalist, rapidly developing an understanding of new issues, bringing together expertise from across government and providing strategic advice on the highest priority challenges facing the Criminal Justice System. The postholder will however also be responsible for a small number of cross-cutting policy issues.
CJS Strategy & Insights is a small, integrated team of strategic generalists. All members of the team are expected to work flexibly across the portfolio, responding to emerging priorities and providing collective leadership for the function. Success will depend on close partnership with the Vision Team Leader to ensure strategic direction, whole-system insight and strategic advice are brought together into a single, coherent offer for senior leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Bring together operational insight, analytical evidence, policy developments, research and stakeholder intelligence to develop compelling, actionable whole-system narratives on performance, demand, risks and opportunities across the Criminal Justice System.
Act as the strategic integrator for the Criminal Justice System, maintaining a trusted whole-system understanding of performance, demand, emerging risks and opportunities.
Act as the central point for developing the whole-system view of emerging issues and policy developments, ensuring senior leaders understand what is happening across the Criminal Justice System, why it matters and the implications for future strategic decisions.
Bring together evidence from across the system to identify emerging trends, risks and opportunities, assessing when issues require coordinated cross-system leadership or intervention.
Lead the coordination of cross-cutting issues, ensuring whole-system implications are understood and collective responses are developed, owning a small number of truly cross-cutting issues where that is the best option for the system.
Develop strategic assessments, briefings and evidence-based advice for the Second Permanent Secretary, Ministers and senior leaders.
Work collaboratively with analytical, operational and policy colleagues to ensure evidence is effectively interpreted, synthesised and applied to strategic decision-making.
Champion innovative approaches to integrating operational, analytical and policy evidence across organisational boundaries to strengthen whole-system understanding.
Leadership & Team Management
Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team, creating an inclusive and intellectually curious culture.
Provide confident leadership through ambiguity, helping the team respond positively to changing priorities and emerging issues.
Foster collaboration, continuous learning and professional excellence across organisational boundaries.
Ensure resources are deployed flexibly to respond to the highest strategic priorities.