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2151 - Deputy Private Secretary to the Senior Presiding Judge, Judicial Office
| Posting date: | 16 January 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,657 to £52,040 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 January 2025 |
| Location: | WC2A 2LL |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Ministry of Justice |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 2151 |
Summary
Overview of the Judicial Office
The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The JO is an interesting and unique place to work.
Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.
We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.
See JO staff talk about working here:
https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv
Overview of the team
The Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period.
The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:
• providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
• acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with the day–to–day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including diversity, HR casework, and appointments
• representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
• the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular meetings with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.
The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ).
Summary of the role
We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge. We are a team of eleven, responsible for supporting the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.
The successful candidate will be required to support the Head of Office and Private Secretary in providing high quality advice and support to the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary, working confidently and effectively with officials within the Judicial Office and across Government. The post-holder will need to work closely with colleagues in other parts of the Judicial Office, MoJ, HMCTS, and other agencies, investing time to develop good relationships.
As one of three Deputy Private Secretaries, you will be required to independently manage a range of activities – both routine ‘business as usual’ work and standalone projects. You will be the lead contact in the office for matters relating to magistrates’ policy and governance, and matters to do with the court estate, among other responsibilities. However, portfolios are subject to change in the SPJ Office, and you will be required to develop a level of understanding across all of the SPJ’s responsibilities.
The role involves line management of at least one member of staff.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:
The postholder will be expected to:
• Establish themselves as a trusted source of advice for the SPJ, DSPJ and other senior judiciary, providing advice, recommendations and challenge where appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador for the SPJ and DSPJ, communicating with senior stakeholders with accuracy and sensitivity.
• Build strong relationships with, and liaise between, members of the judiciary and teams across the Judicial Office, HMCTS and the MoJ.
• Remain alert to live and emerging issues within the magistracy, and provide advice, briefing and support to the SPJ and DSPJ where required.
• Ensure that the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary are kept informed of matters to do with the judicial estate, dealing with issues on their behalf and escalating where required.
• Provide support to the SPJ and DSPJ on standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.
• Set the agenda and brief for regular meetings, take forward and monitor actions and communicate decisions to other stakeholders.
• Undertake ad-hoc requests as required to support the SPJ, DSPJ and Private Secretary/Head of Office.
• Line manage of at least one member of staff.
This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change depending on the SPJ and DSPJ’s priorities.
Private Office roles are unpredictable and can require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ on visits across the country therefore some travel will likely be required. This role is not suitable for job-share or reduced hours working.
Please see attached job description for further details on essential and desired criteria and how to apply.
The Judicial Office (JO) reports to, and is accountable, to the Lady Chief Justice (LCJ). It was established in 2006 to provide support to the LCJ and to the wider judiciary in upholding the rule of law and in delivering justice impartially, speedily and efficiently, following the Constitutional Reform Act 2005.
In addition, we support, and are accountable to, the Senior President of Tribunals, whose responsibilities extend to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The JO is an interesting and unique place to work.
Everything we do is in support of upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary. We work closely with HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and others across Government as well as with the legal professions.
We are an Arm’s Length Body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. This creates an interesting and complex environment in which to work where we agree our priorities with the senior judiciary and receive our funding to deliver them from the Ministry of Justice. The Judicial Office has been through a period of significant growth resulting from an expansion of our remit and responsibilities.
See JO staff talk about working here:
https://design102.wistia.com/medias/uhgtmbtnlv
Overview of the team
The Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ) is a senior member of the judiciary of England and Wales. They are appointed for a fixed two-year period.
The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:
• providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
• acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with the day–to–day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including diversity, HR casework, and appointments
• representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
• the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular meetings with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance.
The SPJ is supported in these responsibilities by the Deputy Senior Presiding Judge (DSPJ).
Summary of the role
We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge. We are a team of eleven, responsible for supporting the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.
The successful candidate will be required to support the Head of Office and Private Secretary in providing high quality advice and support to the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary, working confidently and effectively with officials within the Judicial Office and across Government. The post-holder will need to work closely with colleagues in other parts of the Judicial Office, MoJ, HMCTS, and other agencies, investing time to develop good relationships.
As one of three Deputy Private Secretaries, you will be required to independently manage a range of activities – both routine ‘business as usual’ work and standalone projects. You will be the lead contact in the office for matters relating to magistrates’ policy and governance, and matters to do with the court estate, among other responsibilities. However, portfolios are subject to change in the SPJ Office, and you will be required to develop a level of understanding across all of the SPJ’s responsibilities.
The role involves line management of at least one member of staff.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:
The postholder will be expected to:
• Establish themselves as a trusted source of advice for the SPJ, DSPJ and other senior judiciary, providing advice, recommendations and challenge where appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador for the SPJ and DSPJ, communicating with senior stakeholders with accuracy and sensitivity.
• Build strong relationships with, and liaise between, members of the judiciary and teams across the Judicial Office, HMCTS and the MoJ.
• Remain alert to live and emerging issues within the magistracy, and provide advice, briefing and support to the SPJ and DSPJ where required.
• Ensure that the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary are kept informed of matters to do with the judicial estate, dealing with issues on their behalf and escalating where required.
• Provide support to the SPJ and DSPJ on standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.
• Set the agenda and brief for regular meetings, take forward and monitor actions and communicate decisions to other stakeholders.
• Undertake ad-hoc requests as required to support the SPJ, DSPJ and Private Secretary/Head of Office.
• Line manage of at least one member of staff.
This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change depending on the SPJ and DSPJ’s priorities.
Private Office roles are unpredictable and can require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ on visits across the country therefore some travel will likely be required. This role is not suitable for job-share or reduced hours working.
Please see attached job description for further details on essential and desired criteria and how to apply.