Assistant Private Secretary

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., The Senior Presiding Judge (SPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period. The SPJ's responsibilities and remit include:

• providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
• acting as 'Chief of Staff' for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with the day-to-day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including diversity, HR casework, and judicial appointments;
• representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
• the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular meetings with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.
The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ). The Private Office team is responsible for providing strategic support, advice, and coordination for the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio., We are recruiting an Assistant Private Secretary (APS) to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge. The role will primarily be focused on supporting the SPJ and DSPJ in their responsibilities in relation to the implementation of reforms stemming from the Independent Review of Criminal Courts (IRCC). The role is a fixed term loan until 31 March 2029 and is open to current Civil Servants applying for a temporary promotion or level transfer. This is a frontline role working directly with members of the senior judiciary to deliver their priorities across issues which impact judges across England and Wales. The role involves close working with teams across the Judicial Office, HMCTS, Ministry of Justice, and other partners across the justice system. Please be aware that Private Office roles can be unpredictable and may require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ and DSPJ on visits across the country and therefore some travel will likely be required. Responsibilities,Activities & Duties: Key responsibilities will include: 1) Building and maintaining an understanding of matters related to the IRCC reforms, the role of the SPJ / DSPJ, and the teams involved with different aspects of the work. 2) Monitoring live issues, actions and forward plans. Taking steps to ensure issues are resolved, ensuring the judiciary are kept informed and escalating matters as required. 3) Managing processes for submissions to the SPJ on matters relating to the appointment and deployment of magistrates and of District Judges who sit in the Magistrates' Courts. Working with Judicial HR to improve processes to ensure timely decision-making. 4) Working with MOJ and HMCTS teams on the development and implementation of reward and recognition initiatives for magistrates. 5) Developing evidence-based recommendations to enable the SPJ and DSPJ to make decisions on a variety of subjects. 6) Supporting the SPJ and DSPJ's engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including judges, magistrates, and partners across the criminal justice system. Please note that portfolios are subject to change in the SPJ Office, and you may be required to take on other areas of responsibility depending on changing priorities., 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., 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 Plan and 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.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to condense large volumes of information into high quality briefings.
• Strong organisation skills.
• Ability to work at pace and deliver high-quality outputs.
• Ability to manage your own workload, prioritise tasks effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and Skills
• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of working in a Private Office.
• Experience working with the judiciary and / or the magistracy.
Behaviours (for Recruitment/Success Profiles):
• Delivering at Pace (lead behaviour)
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
Assessment process at application, A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, 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 250 Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing

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.