Change Officer

Ministry of Justice; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is recruiting for four Change Officer positions on a fixed-term basis. Two officers will focus on London Prison and Probation Change, while the other two will target the National Security Directorate and Community Accommodation Services. The ideal candidates will have a systematic approach to change management, strong communication skills, and hands-on digital tools experience. This role offers hybrid working arrangements and various benefits such as training opportunities and family-friendly policies.

Benefits

25 days annual leave increasing to 30

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Extensive training and development opportunities

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience in change management with proven project delivery.
• Ability to build relationships with various stakeholders.
• Hands-on experience with digital tools such as GMS and PFTW.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support change initiatives across prisons and probation establishments.
• Engage with stakeholders to develop communication strategies.
• Maintain risk registers and identify risks proactively.

Skills

Change management

Strong communication

Stakeholder engagement

Digital tools experience

Continuous improvement principles

Tools

Gateway Management System (GMS)

Project for the Web (PFTW)

Job description

Overview

We are recruiting for four Change Officer (PS Probation Band 4) positions on a 3‑year fixed term basis. Two officers will focus on London Prison and Probation Change and two will focus on the National Security Directorate (NSD) and Community Accommodation Services (CAS). Individuals may work from London or outside London, with flexibility for office attendance and travel as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support local and national change initiatives across prisons and probation establishments, working with Area Change Managers or the National Head of Change Delivery.
• Use digital systems such as the Gateway Management System (GMS) and Project for the Web (PFTW) to record, tier and track change activities, ensuring compliance with service level agreements.
• Engage with stakeholders—Business Managers, Heads of Business Assurance and other change agents—to develop and execute communication strategies for projects.
• Manage project delivery: organise task and finish groups, project meetings and focus groups, monitor progress against success metrics, and report status to line managers.
• Maintain risk registers, proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies, and raise escalations when milestones are missed.
• Apply continuous improvement and lean methodologies to enhance delivery and support the Change Delivery Team’s strategic priorities.
• Provide professional oversight and peer review of projects, contributing to monthly reporting within Prison Groups and Probation Regions.
• Uphold civil service values, equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all interactions.

Qualifications & Experience

• Systematic approach to change management with proven project delivery experience.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Hands‑on experience with digital tools (GMS, PFTW or equivalent). Knowledge of change management methodologies and frameworks is desirable.
• Experience working within or across the criminal justice system (prisons, probation, NSD, CAS) is highly regarded.
• Track record of applying continuous improvement and lean principles.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 after five years.
• Full time hours: 37 hours per week, excluding unpaid breaks.
• Hybrid working arrangements will be considered where business needs allow.
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) via the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Extensive training and development opportunities.
• Family‑friendly policies including reduced hours, job share and paid parental leave.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent from all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people with caring responsibilities, disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, ethnic minorities, and former members of the armed forces. All applicants will be considered on a merit basis in accordance with civil service recruitment principles.

Recruitment Process

Applications will be screened against the required behaviours. Successful candidates will progress through a full sift involving face‑to‑face interviews. Applicants may request reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.