23679 - International Bilateral Engagement Team Leader

Ministry of Justice; Leeds; Hybride; GBP 59 000 - 65 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Annual leave

Pension

Training opportunities

Networks and inclusion groups

Résumé du poste

Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom is seeking a Grade 7 International Bilateral Engagement Team Leader to lead a skilled team within the International Engagement function. The role focuses on shaping the department's overseas engagements, coordinating with ministers and officials, and delivering strategic international programmes.

The post offers hybrid working between base locations and travel as required.

Qualifications

• Excellent leadership and team management.
• Strong planning and organisational abilities.
• Proven collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Interest in foreign policy and diplomacy.

Responsabilités

• Lead and develop a high‑performing team with clear direction and coaching.
• Shape and deliver an international engagement programme aligned with MoJ aims.
• Oversee high‑impact engagements, visits and events with budget oversight.
• Build relationships with UK posts, missions and senior stakeholders.
• Coordinate international engagement across the department with ministers and offices.
• Represent MoJ credibly with senior partners and lead negotiations where needed.
• Balance strategic thinking with delivery in a fast‑moving environment.

Connaissances

Leadership

Team management

Organisational skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Description du poste

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.

Salary

The national salary range is £58,511- £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725. Your salary will be dependent on your base location

Job description

International Bilateral Engagement Team Leader

G7

International, Rights and Constitutional Policy Directorate (IRCPD)

International, Rights and Constitutional Policy Directorate (IRCPD) is recruiting permanently for a Grade 7 International Bilateral Engagement Team Leader.

This campaign is open to current civil servants on level transfer and suitable candidates on promotion.

Candidates are reminded that to be eligible for this campaign; you must still be employed as a civil servant at the point of accepting the role. If you resign or your FTA contract ends before you are made and accept an offer, you will become ineligible and you will be withdrawn from the process.

Location

Successful candidates will have the option to be based at one of the following locations:

• 102 Petty France, London
• 5 Wellington Place, Leeds

Occasional travel between the two locations may be required. We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your base location (102 Petty France or 5 Wellington Place Leeds) .

Ways of Working

At the MoJ we believe and promote alternative ways of working, these roles are available as:

• Full-time, part-time or the option to job share
• Flexible working patterns

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

Salary

Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ)

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice

The Work of the International Engagement Team

The International Engagement Team plays a central role in shaping and delivering the Ministry of Justice’s relationships with countries around the world. We work at the intersection of domestic justice policy and international diplomacy, helping to advance the department's priorities, strengthen international partnerships and promote UK interests overseas.

Our work is varied, fast-paced and often high-profile. We lead the planning and delivery of overseas visits by MoJ ministers, coordinate incoming international visits and support bilateral engagement and negotiations with international partners. We work closely with ministers, their Private Offices, colleagues across Whitehall, the FCDO and our diplomatic network overseas.

We also work across the department to ensure that international engagement is strategic, makes a real contribution to MoJ's policy objectives and delivers value for money.

The team offers a unique vista point across the department's priorities, combining exposure to senior decision-makers with the opportunity to help shape how MoJ engages with the world.

International Bilateral Engagement Team Leader - the role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a talented and supportive team at the heart of the MoJ's international work. The International Engagement Team is a busy, collaborative and enjoyable place to work, with a strong team culture and a varied portfolio that offers plenty of opportunities to make an impact.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and confident leader who enjoys working with people, thrives on variety and can bring energy, sound judgement and a strategic perspective to a demanding but rewarding role. The post would suit either an established Grade 7 looking for a new challenge or an ambitious and experienced SEO ready to take the next step.

You will lead the delivery of a high-profile programme of international engagement, working closely with ministers and their Private Offices, senior officials, policy teams across Whitehall and international government representatives. You will have opportunities to influence how the department engages internationally, develop strong networks across government and beyond, and help turn ministerial priorities into successful engagements and tangible outcomes.

The role calls for someone who can balance strategic thinking with effective delivery, manage competing priorities and remain calm and adaptable when circumstances change. Just as importantly, we want someone who enjoys leading and developing people, builds a positive and inclusive team culture and helps colleagues thrive in a fast-moving environment.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Lead, develop and support a high-performing team, providing clear direction, coaching and opportunities for professional development, while contributing to the leadership of the wider division and directorate.
• Shape and deliver the department's international engagement programme, identifying opportunities that advance MoJ and wider HMG objectives and respond to evolving ministerial priorities working closely with the Grade 7 Head of International Strategy.
• Develop and oversee delivery of a programme of high-impact engagements, visits and events for ministers and senior officials, ensuring effective delivery and management of associated budgets.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with UK diplomatic posts overseas, diplomatic missions in London and senior stakeholders across government and the justice sector to advance departmental objectives.
• Working with the G7 Head of International Strategy, coordinate international engagement across the department, working closely with ministers, policy officials, operational teams and private offices to ensure a coherent and strategic approach.
• Represent the department credibly and effectively with senior partners, influencing and collaborating across organisational boundaries to achieve shared outcomes.
• The role may also include negotiations and leading elements of wider international justice policy.

This post holder will report to the Grade 6 Head of International Engagement, Strategy and Ukraine Response.

This role sits alongside the Grade 7 Head of International Strategy. Together, the two Grade 7s will provide leadership across a team comprising five SEOs, four HEOs and a Fast Streamer. The postholder is expected to have line management responsibility for approximately five colleagues, although the precise allocation of responsibilities will be agreed upon appointment.

Other similar roles may be available and suitable merit listed candidates may be offered these roles.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Excellent leadership and team management
• Organisational and planning skills, ability to drive forward a broad portfolio of work
• A proven track record of collaborative working
• Credibility engaging with external stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly to set and meet deadlines, manage competing demands and prioritise where appropriate
• An ability to manage your own resilience and that of your team/colleagues
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex and sensitive information clearly and concisely
• Interest in foreign policy and international relations and ideally experience of diplomacy and/or delivering international engagement.

Additional Information

The role may involve some occasional international travel.

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.

Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description.

Application process

You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework .

You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

Experience

You will be asked to provide a CV (2 pages maximum) during the application process to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Skills and Experience listed above.

Behaviours

During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviour – Delivering at Pace

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Should we receive a large number of applications, we will sift primarily on the Statement of Suitability . Successful applicants will then be invited to an interview, testing both behaviours and strengths.

Candidates invited to Interview

Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely.

At interview you will be assessed against behaviours where you will be asked to provide examples of how you have demonstrated them. In addition, you will also be asked strength-based questions.

Behaviours:

The following Behaviours will be tested at interview:

• Leadership
• Working together
• Delivering at pace

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

- WHO - Whatit was?Howyou approached the work/situation? What theOutcomeswere, what did youachieve? Or

- STAR - What was theSituation? What were theTasks? WhatActiondid you take? What were the Results of your actions?

Please also refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details at this grade:

Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK

Strengths:

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this. Further information on Civil Service Strengths can be found via this link Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK

Presentation:

Candidates invited to interview will be asked to deliver a short presentation. Details will be provided when candidates are shortlisted.

Interview Timeline:

Interviews are expected to take place in early December.

Contact information

If you would like to know more about this role, please [e-mail]

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 (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/tax-free-childcare) or Childcare Choices (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) . 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

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail] );
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( [e-mail] );
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/) )

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.

MoJ Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

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 [e-mail]

Please quote the job reference 23679

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [e-mail]

Please quote the job reference

Guidance for the Statement of Suitability

You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Skills and Experience listed above.

Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-experience).

Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-strengths).

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.