Policy Advisor

Ministry of Justice; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom is seeking a motivated policy professional to support the recall reforms and monitor impacts within the Sentencing Act. You will collaborate across MoJ, HMPPS, and external stakeholders to deliver evidence-based policy options.

This fast-paced role offers a hybrid working arrangement with flexible hours and opportunities to influence national policy on prison capacity and recall processes.

Qualifications

• Policy experience in the criminal justice or public sector.
• Ability to analyse evidence and data to inform policy.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience working with Ministers and senior officials.

Responsibilities

• Policy development and innovative approaches to complex policy challenges.
• Prepare clear briefing, advice and parliamentary correspondence for Ministers and stakeholders.
• Plan and manage projects, including risks, issues and dependencies.
• Maintain relationships with MoJ/HMPPS and external stakeholders.

Skills

Policy development

Briefing & correspondence

Project management

Stakeholder relations

Job description

We are looking for a motivated policy professional to join a welcoming and supportive team to help address the challenge of the growing recall population. The role is fast paced, intellectually challenging and exciting, and will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work on an area which will make a real difference to how offenders are dealt with by the criminal justice system for years to come. This is a busy team that receives a lot of interest from senior officials and ministers and is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the prison capacity challenge. The job holder will be required to work flexibly to respond to ministerial priorities. Although the focus of the role will evolve, you will initially work to provide critical policy support to help monitor the impacts of our recall reforms within the Sentencing Act, as well as undertaking work to identify and develop non‑legislative policy options for further reforms to the recall process. This will involve significant collaboration with policy teams across the MoJ, operational partners in HMPPS and external stakeholders as well as providing clear advice to Ministers.

Key responsibilities

• Policy development: Developing innovative approaches to complex policy challenges. You will draw on different sources of evidence and data to inform your work and demonstrate effective problem‑solving approaches.
• Advice, briefing and correspondence: Ensuring Ministers, senior leaders, Parliamentarians and stakeholders are given clear, well‑researched and timely advice on live issues and areas of concern. This work is likely to include oral and written briefings, parliamentary questions and correspondence and feeding a prison demand and release perspective into wider work across MoJ and other government departments.
• Project oversight ‑ Scoping, planning and managing your work through project management techniques: managing risks, issues and dependencies and monitoring and progress. This can include reviews and research‑led projects
• Stakeholder relations: Maintaining and owning close relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders within the MoJ/HMPPS, across government and within the third sector.

Additional Information Working Arrangements & Further Information

The Ministry of Justice 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.

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.

Interview stage assessments Interview Dates Expected October 2026

Level of security checks required Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

The national salary range is £42,914 - £46,182, London salary range is £49,325 - £53,081. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, 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‑rated 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.

• 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.