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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.

General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £71,381 - £80,419, London salary range is £75,674 - £85,257. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
08-Jun-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Grade 6
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17940

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Role: Head of Policy

Business: Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

Location: National

Grade: G6

Salary:    National £71,381 - £80,419 London £75,674 - £85,257

Contract Type: Permanent

Minimum Hours: Full time post (but would consider flexible working arrangements etc)

Organisational Overview

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities.  The OPG is a disability confident employer and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview

This is an exciting time at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), as we transform how we deliver our statutory services and ensure that we are fit for the future. As Head of Policy, you will be a critical member of the Senior Leadership Team in the Central Services Directorate.

You will lead the OPG Policy team, setting clear standards and direction to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based policy and guidance. Your work will directly support transformation and the ongoing delivery of services that make a tangible difference to some of the most vulnerable people in society. Operating within an operational agency gives you a unique opportunity to see policy translated into practice—designing solutions that are not only strategically sound, but deliver real, measurable impact for service users, and are practical to implement within operational delivery.

You will take ownership of the team’s outputs, building capability and ensuring a strong culture of quality, challenge, and continuous improvement. Working closely with operational colleagues, legal teams, and stakeholders across the Ministry of Justice, you will help shape and influence the policy and legislative changes needed to enable service improvement and wider organisational transformation, ensuring that policy proposals are deliverable and effectively embedded.

In addition, you will provide oversight and strategic direction to the OPG content team within your directorate, ensuring that operational policy, guidance, and communications are clear, consistent, and aligned to organisational priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

  • Policy development: Accountable for the development and delivery of all OPG operational policy, including policy required for modernisation; supervision of Court Appointed Deputies; investigation of Deputies and Attorneys; and OPG fee policy. Ensuring policies are designed with a clear understanding of operational impact and can be successfully implemented in practice.
  • Leadership: Contribute to the leadership of the agency, helping to shape culture, set strategic direction, and define organisational priorities.
  • Management: Direct line management of two Grade 7s, with oversight of a team of c.20 staff. Responsible for supporting their wellbeing, development, and professional practice, and for championing diversity and inclusion.
  • Influencing: Work with colleagues across the Ministry of Justice, including Legal colleagues, to shape and secure legislative and policy changes that support OPG’s operational priorities, including sustainable fee arrangements and effective service delivery.
  • Guidance: Oversee the development of guidance to support policy delivery, ensuring policies are implemented effectively and consistently across operations.
  • Content: Provide oversight of the OPG content team, ensuring delivery of key priorities, including the annual report and external communications on policy changes.

Agreed Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments. Occasional travel to Birmingham and Nottingham will be required.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

  • Strong track record of leading a policy function, setting clear direction and standards, and shaping organisational policy positions that influence strategy, practice, and culture. (Lead)
  • Excellent leadership skills, taking ownership of team outputs, providing constructive challenge, advocating for the team, and working across boundaries to drive delivery. (Lead)
  • Expert understanding of the end-to-end policy lifecycle, with the ability to define and exemplify high-quality policy practice from problem definition through to implementation and evaluation, including ensuring policies are operationally deliverable.
  • Proven ability to build capability and lead high-performing teams, including coaching and developing staff to strengthen skills, judgement, and confidence.
  • Experience designing and overseeing a portfolio of complex policy programmes, ensuring alignment to strategic priorities and delivery of impactful outcomes.
  • Strong track record of collaboration with operational colleagues, ensuring policy is grounded in delivery realities and supports effective implementation.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead strategic engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including external partners, influencing outcomes and incorporating diverse perspectives into policy development.
  • Experience working closely with Legal teams, understanding legal frameworks and constraints, and incorporating legal advice into policy development.

Desirable Skills

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

  • Experience of legislative and regulatory policy development, including influencing and managing formal processes (e.g. consultations, statutory guidance, regulatory change).
  • Experience of content development.

Application process

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be expected to complete the following as part of the application:

  • A CV and detailing your career history. CV’s will be assessed against the essential and desirable skills above.
  • Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words, to demonstrate your experience against the essential and desirable skills required for this role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be under taken using the lead criteria:

  • Strong track record of leading a policy function, setting clear direction and standards, and shaping organisational policy positions that influence strategy, practice, and culture.
  • Excellent leadership skills, taking ownership of team outputs, providing constructive challenge, advocating for the team, and working across boundaries to drive delivery.

Interview Process

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

  • Strengths relevant to the role
  • The following Behaviours at G6 level
    • Seeing the Big Picture (presentation of up to 5 minutes; the topic will be shared with candidates invited to interview)
    • Communicating and Influencing
    • Leadership
    • Changing and Improving
    • Making effective decisions

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Briefing Session​ 

You may want to join the virtual briefing session on 29th May at 11:30am-12:30pm, where we will provide an overview of the role, the organisational context, early priorities, anticipated challenges, and team culture. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. 

If you are interested in attending this session, please use the following link: 

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/351560288593492?p=0qf3XKgI6f2Pc5IRyJ

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process.

For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available.
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 17940

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 17940

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability of no more than 750 words, to demonstrate your experience against the essential and desirable skills required for this role.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be under taken using the lead criteria:

Strong track record of leading a policy function, setting clear direction and standards, and shaping organisational policy positions that influence strategy, practice, and culture.

Excellent leadership skills, taking ownership of team outputs, providing constructive challenge, advocating for the team, and working across boundaries to drive delivery.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected week commencing 29 June (subject to change)
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
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
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.