Deputy Director, Rights and Public Law

This is a stretching and high-profile role that would suit a confident and experienced policy professional. Leading a team of around 32 FTE, the responsibilities span a range of complex, challenging and often controversial topics, with high levels of stakeholder, political and media interest. The postholder will need to gain and maintain the confidence of ministers and senior officials across government, and handle relationships involving, amongst others, the senior judiciary, the legal profession, academia, and international organisations. The postholder will also need to be a credible and effective representative of the United Kingdom on the international stage, including in public forums, and comfortable with operating in highly political areas and defending the Government's position while maintaining appropriate civil service boundaries. A key element of the role is the ability to pivot rapidly between diverse policy subjects, and to become quickly familiar with new issues as they emerge. Many topics require a good degree of legal understanding, and specific subject-matter knowledge relating to one or more parts of the role would be advantageous., Reporting to the Director, you will:

• Oversee policy on human rights in UK law, including the operation of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its interaction with other legislation including the devolution settlements;
• Lead jointly with the FCDO on policy across Government on the European Convention on Human Rights, and oversee Ministry of Justice interests in the Council of Europe;
• Ensure the effective performance of UK legal obligations under United Nations and Council of Europe human rights treaties, including notably leading the representation of the UK to UN treaty bodies and the UN Universal Periodic Review.
• Hold responsibility for the effective operation of the system of closed material procedure, with responsibility for a seven-figure budget funded from users across government;
• Lead on policy on judicial review, especially regarding how challenges are brought against nationally significant infrastructure projects;
• Ensure the full performance of Ministry of Justice legal obligations relating to better regulation, equalities and the Welsh language;
• Engage effectively with and represent the Government to a broad range of stakeholders across all policy responsibilities, including from the judiciary, legal profession, academia and international organisations;
• Secure effective coordination and shared prioritisation with partner teams across government departments and agencies, and
• Lead, support and develop a team of around 32 FTE, securing its resilience and delivery.
Additional Responsibilities
• You will also be a key member of the IRCPD leadership team and expected to take responsibility for sponsoring and guiding elements of the corporate and staff engagement work of the directorate., Week commencing 13th July 2025
Behaviours Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Delivering at Pace Strengths Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here. Level of security checks required Developed Vetting (DV)


• Fast-paced delivery leading a complex and politically sensitive policy area, working collaboratively with colleagues across government.
• An ability to establish, inspire and maintain high performing teams, demonstrating personal resilience and supporting it in the team.
• Strong understanding of the political and legal landscape both in the UK and internationally.
• Highly effective communication skills, demonstrating credibility with Ministers and an ability to represent and influence with senior external stakeholders.
• Agility in working across a highly diverse set of issues, synthesising complex information and presenting it clearly to senior audiences to enable decision-making.
Desirable Experience:
• Legal understanding relevant to the responsibilities of the role
• Experience working internationally and/or with multilateral organisations, Fast-paced delivery leading a complex and politically sensitive policy area, working collaboratively with colleagues across government.
• An ability to establish, inspire and maintain high performing teams, demonstrating personal resilience and supporting it in the team.
• Strong understanding of the political and legal landscape both in the UK and internationally.
• Highly effective communication skills, demonstrating credibility with Ministers and an ability to represent and influence with senior external stakeholders.
• Agility in working across a highly diverse set of issues, synthesising complex information and presenting it clearly to senior audiences to enable decision-making.
Desirable Experience:
• Legal understanding relevant to the responsibilities of the role
• Experience working internationally and/or with multilateral organisations
Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability