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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 £35,335 - £37,847, London salary range is £40,014 - £42,859. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
09-Sep-2026
Post Type
Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
21230

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Security and Information Directorate (SID)

Public Inquiries Response Team Manager

Job Title

Public Inquiries Response Team Manager

Grade

Higher Executive Officer

Loan/Detached Duty Terms:

12 months (potential to extend).  Available on level transfer or temporary promotion

Organisation structure

Public Inquiries Response Team, Information Services Division, Security and Information Directorate, Service Transformation Group, Ministry of Justice

Overview of the Security and Information Directorate (SID)

The Security and Information Directorate (SID) is part of the Service Transformation Group (STG). The Group oversees the building of a strategic vision for modernising and digitising our legacy systems, generating a coordinated plan across the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and its agencies for transformation, and tracking delivery of this transformation.

Security and information management are fundamental building blocks of enabling the department to deliver. We have highly skilled experts working collaboratively with the department, Government Security Group, Government Knowledge and Information Management profession and other partners to enable the whole of the MoJ to function securely, lawfully and transparently.

We identify, manage, and mitigate MoJ’s security, data protection and information risks, and provide assurance against those risks. We’re also home to the Counter Fraud Centre of Expertise. Part of our mission is to up-skill the department so that security becomes second nature to our people and partners.

Team profile

The Information Services Division (ISD) is part of the SID and is responsible for promoting compliance with the Public Records Act and related legislation, providing information and records management services, overseeing responses to information access requests, selecting and transferring records for permanent preservation and providing support to public inquiries.

The Public Inquiries Response Team is responsible for the Ministry of Justice’s contribution to statutory and non-statutory public inquiries. It is responsible for identifying, collecting, cataloguing, and maintaining an accurate and complete set of information and records that capture the MoJ’s key decisions and events for the subject matter under investigation within each inquiry. We filter millions of records to best demonstrate what we did and why. From this information we produce accurate, high-quality, and comprehensive witness statements in response to requests for information from each inquiry. The team provides support to those who may be required to give evidence at a public hearing.

We coordinate across legal teams, and work across government to ensure coordination other government departments and learn best practice in responding to public inquiries.

Job summary

As a HEO in the Public Inquiries Response Team you will contribute to the drafting of corporate witness statements for public inquiries as well as briefing both senior officials and ministers on this response. 

You will also be involved in a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the team's objectives, such as stakeholder engagement and witness support.

You will build subject matter expertise relating to the inquiries you work on, spanning across the MoJ, its Executive Agencies and Arm’s Length Bodies. Alongside this you will also develop expertise on the response to public inquiries.

This is a highly sensitive area of work, which attracts considerable ministerial, media, public and pressure group attention and carries reputational and legal risk to MoJ. This role provides a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of this important work across the MoJ. 

Essential to the smooth running of this critical work is experience of quality written advice for Ministers and / or senior officials in an organisation.

You will need to be comfortable supporting the team to work in partnership with current and former ministers and senior officials, as well as working closely with lawyers and a range of teams across the department. 

This is often a fast paced and challenging area of work - the jobholder will need to be resilient and have the ability to work in ambiguity as well as being able to adapt and change direction at speed, balancing priorities to ensure delivery.

Colleagues are expected to work with a degree of flexibility, meaning responsibilities may change to support priority delivery.

Job description

1.    Support the analysis and review of a range of credible and relevant evidence collated by the Information Management team and use this to draft lines for witness statements.

2.    Support the preparation of papers and advice to support decisions relating to public inquiries, consulting with key contacts across the department, to make an effective recommendation.

3.    Support the preparation of briefings on the Inquiry for meetings, freedom of information requests, parliamentary questions, and other similar requests. Liaising with a range of officials across the department, briefing both them and ministers, as necessary.

4.    Working collaboratively across the organisation and proactively building relationships; and ensure relevant stakeholders are kept informed of the team’s work.

Minimum eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

All external candidates are subject to a minimum of 6 months’ probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within the MoJ.

All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the MoJ consider to be racist.

Application process

This vacancy will be assessed using Success Profiles to assess behaviours and technical expertise.

The application process will require 250 word STAR format for the identified behaviour, the submission of a CV and a Statement of Suitability to evidence how you meet the criteria required for the role.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview based on Civil Service Success Profiles framework. This will consist of 3 behaviour questions on Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions and Delivering at Pace and 4 strength questions.

Hours of work/working pattern

37 hour working week (standard).


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 21230

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

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, 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
Communicating and Influencing
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
Please tell us why you are suitable for this role, paying attention to the skills and requirements of the job description.
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected w/c 21st September
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
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
Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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.