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General Information

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
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
28-Nov-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11818

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Description:  MoJ VAT Manager

Band/Grade:  G7

Number of Vacancies:  1

Business Group:  MoJ Tax Centre of Excellence

Directorate:  Financial Management Control, Risk and Governance

Location:  National

Hours:  37

Working Pattern:  Permanent

Role Type/ Team:  MoJ Tax Team / Tax Centre of Excellence

Overview

The role is for a Tax Specialist in the MOJ Tax Team which is part of the cross-government Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE). The MoJ is a major government department, at the heart of the justice system. We work to protect and advance the principles of justice. Our vision is to deliver a world-class justice system that works for everyone in society.

Working in the Tax Centre of Excellence (Tax CoE) offers a unique opportunity to shape, influence and deliver the direction of tax services at the heart of government. It is also an exciting and welcoming place to work, and you will be supported to reach your full potential and get the most out of a rewarding career in Finance.

The Tax CoE was the first cross government centre of excellence to be established and is a central resource for tax advice and services available to the public sector. The Tax CoE is comprised of teams from the Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Department for Work and Pensions. The services offered by the Tax CoE and operating model can be found on the Tax CoE website on OneFinance.

This role also attracts a specialist allowance of £2,000. The specialist allowance is non-contractual and subject to annual review.

Role Purpose

As the VAT Manager you will provide expert and professional advice on all aspects of VAT and other indirect taxes (customs duties and environmental taxes) to the MoJ core departments and its Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) to ensure compliance with legislation and HMRC guidance.

You will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders across the business to develop and deliver a VAT strategy that mitigates tax risk for the department and its ALBs.

You will manage the VAT team, providing them with technical support on complex areas as well as HR management.

You will support delivery of cross government tax compliance projects and initiatives, engaging and working in partnership with colleagues from other government bodies, including HM Revenue and Customs and HM Treasury, communities and networks.

Key Responsibilities

The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities.

  • Lead and support the team on advising on complex, sensitive and challenging tax issues, providing clear communications and guidance to maintain a strong level of tax compliance across the MoJ.
  • Develop the VAT Strategy ensuring compliance across the organisation, sharing best practice across the wider Tax CoE.
  • Lead and action continuous improvement and ensure robust processes/controls operate to give assurance on tax compliance. Identify innovative/ creative ideas and solutions, including digital where appropriate.
  • Provide VAT Subject Matter Expertise and be the Decision Maker for the tax design and delivery of Synergy, ensuring the new system is compliant with tax legislation in both the common and local design phases.
  • Ensuring VAT professional and expert services are delivered, prioritising and deploying resources to ensure service standards are delivered.
  • Build strong relationships with key stakeholders to enable effective partnership working across the MoJ organisation, Tax CoE and wider government department sector 
  • Actively contribute to the Tax CoE delivery and development of tax services and programme of work with an ongoing focus on continuous improvement.

Key skills and knowledge

The Successful Candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Essential Criteria:

  • A strong working knowledge, track record, experience and understanding of VAT and the nuances that apply to government departments (Section 41). (Technical)
  • Lead an organisation's tax management, compliance and assurance activities. Carefully manage complex, sensitive and challenging tax issues. (Leadership)
  • Successful track record leading on continuous tax improvements in both process and compliance including effective up-skilling. (Developing self and others)
  • Confidence in challenging and influencing senior stakeholders. (Communicating and Influencing)
  • Good stakeholder and engagement skills with the ability to build and facilitate successful working relationships with both internal and external customers. (Working Together)
  • Effective communication skills including the ability to translate complex rules into clear and helpful guidance that can be widely understood. (Communicating and Influencing)
  • Ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely tax advice and guidance. (Technical)
  • Ability to manage competing priorities, delivering high quality work to demanding timescales. (Leadership)
  • A willingness to develop further expert knowledge in VAT, Finance and government departments. (Developing self and others)
  • Engaging and collaborative team member. (Working together)

Desirable Skills and Experience

  • A good understanding of VAT within the public sector and Oracle systems and accounting would be useful, but not a necessity.
  • Previous management experience (desirable but not essential).
  • Knowledge of the other indirect taxes (desirable but not essential).

*Please note that whilst we don’t assess or score ‘desirable’ criteria, we may consider evidence provided that demonstrates meeting the desirable elements of the role, only after essential criteria is assessed and where there is a need to differentiate between closely scored candidates.

Application Process

Success Profiles 

Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.

Please refer to the Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which can be found here, to complete this application: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/717275/CS_Behaviours_2018.pdf

Application Stage

Civil Service Behaviours

The following G7 Civil Service Behaviours are essential to this post and will be assessed upon application:

  • Leadership (lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others

Specific Technical Skills and Experience Required

This role requires an in depth understanding and working knowledge of VAT, specifically relating to VAT in a government departments.

In addition to the Civil Service Behaviours above, at the application stage you will also be required to provide:

  • Answers to two technical questions consisting of a maximum of 250 words per question summarising how you meet the technical requirements for this role.
  • Provide a CV detailing your job history and experience in VAT in the public sector.

*Please note the behaviour and technical skill in brackets against specific essential criteria points above. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate these essential criteria within the application behaviour and technical responses.

Professional Competencies / Requirements

  • An experienced finance professional who meets the Government Tax Professional definition and/or Fully qualified with CTA, CCAB or ATT.

To apply please complete the online application form. Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look at the Civil Service Behaviour framework and what is evidenced in your application.

If we receive a large volume of applications, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Leadership and the technical questions.

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

Interview Stage

Candidates who are successful following the sift process will be invited to a virtual interview.

At interview you will be assessed on behaviours (noted below):

  • Leadership (lead behaviour)
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others

You will also be asked to deliver a presentation on a topic that will be shared in advance of the interview. Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.

For further information please feel free to contact Joanna Turner at Joanna.Turner@justice.gov.uk

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 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.

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

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.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

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 moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11818

HMPPS:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11818

Allowance

This post may be eligible for allowances which are to be discussed at interview

This role also attracts a specialist allowance of £2,000. The specialist allowance is non-contractual and subject to annual review.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, 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
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Developing Self and Others
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
A strong working knowledge, track record, experience and understanding of VAT and the nuances that apply to government departments (Section 41).
Ability to assimilate complex information from both internal and external sources and to provide accurate, complete and timely tax advice and guidance.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected mid to end of December
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Developing Self and Others

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Level of security checks required
Baseline Personnal Security Standard (BPSS)

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.