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, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working Vacancy Approach Cross Government Location National Region National Closing Date 14-Aug-2026 Post Type Fixed Term, Detached Duty, Loan Civil Service Grade Grade 6 Number of jobs available 1 Reserve List 12 Months Job ID 20400Descriptions & requirements
Job descriptionJob Title
Head of Public Bodies Partnerships and Reviews
Grade
Grade 6
Business Group
Chief Operating Officer
Contract Type
Fixed Term - 24 months
Directorate
Public Bodies and Public Appointments
Team
Public Bodies Partnerships and Reviews
Location
National
Public Bodies Directorate
The Public Bodies and Public Appointments Directorate sits at the heart of the Ministry of Justice, leading sponsorship and governance relationships and making appointments across one of the largest and most complex public bodies portfolios in Government. Our bodies deliver critical public-facing services spanning prisons, probation, youth justice, legal services, family justice, parole, criminal case review and wider constitutional and oversight functions.
This is a high-profile and exciting time to join the Directorate. Strong and representative public bodies and public appointments are a priority for Ministers and senior departmental leadership, with a strong focus on improving delivery, diversity of representation and public confidence across the justice system.
The Directorate offers a unique opportunity to influence real-world outcomes by supporting excellent leadership, governance and accountability across some of the justice system's most important institutions.
We are a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team that works closely together to solve problems, navigate complexity and drive continuous improvement. We value creativity, sound judgement and strong relationships, and are proud to contribute to a justice system that serves the public effectively and fairly.
About the Role
As Head of Public Bodies Partnerships and Reviews, you will lead the Ministry of Justice's strategic approach to sponsorship, governance and assurance across its public bodies portfolio. You will provide leadership to the Sponsorships and Partnerships team within the Public Bodies Centre of Expertise and act as the departmental champion for the sponsorship profession, driving continuous improvement across the sponsorship community.
The role is central to maintaining the golden thread between public bodies' statutory purposes, strategic objectives and organisational performance, and the Department's priorities. You will ensure the department operates a risk-based, proportionate, outcomes-focused sponsorship model, aligned with the Cabinet Office Arm’s Length Body Sponsorship Code of Good Practice, and provide assurance to the Principal Accounting Officer. Through effective sponsorship, assurance and constructive challenge, you will help to ensure public bodies are well-governed, financially sustainable and effective organisations that deliver value for money and contribute directly to justice outcomes.
You will lead the department's programme of public body reviews and wider sponsorship reform activity. Working closely with senior leaders across government, public body Chairs and Chief Executives, and senior sponsors you will drive continuous improvement across the public bodies landscape.
Main Activities / Responsibilities
The postholder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
• Champion the Ministry of Justice's sponsorship profession and act as the departmental centre of expertise for sponsorship, governance and public body accountability, providing strategic advice and challenge to senior leaders.
• Provide strategic oversight and assurance across the public bodies portfolio, ensuring strong governance, performance, financial sustainability and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Own departmental reporting for public bodies, and identify and escalate significant risks, emerging issues and cross-cutting themes, providing assurance to Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, Directors General and Senior Sponsors.
• Lead the department's programme of public body reviews and wider sponsorship reform activity, driving improvements in governance, effectiveness, efficiency, accountability and value for money.
• Build strong relationships with public body Chairs, boards and Chief Executives, Senior Sponsors, Cabinet Office and other senior stakeholders to support effective sponsorship, organisational performance and system leadership.
• Build sponsorship capability across the department through professional standards, guidance, learning and communities of practice.
Travel Requirements
Occasional travel to other Government offices within the UK may be required.
Essential Criteria
• Significant leadership experience of public bodies sponsorship or corporate governance and assurance within a large organisation or portfolio.
• An inclusive leader with a proven ability to inspire teams to deliver to a high standard, manage competing pressures and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills, with experience of operating credibly with senior stakeholders to provide confident support and constructive challenge.
• Strong strategic thinking and communication skills, with the ability to identify the main issues in complex problems, clarify technical concepts and resolve challenges.
Desirable Criteria
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
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
You will be assessed against the Civil service success profiles framework.
Sift
Experience
• You will be asked to provide an anonymised CV during the application process in order to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
• You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Essential Criteria listed above.
Behaviours
Please provide 250-word examples of how you have met each of the behaviours below:
• Leadership (lead behaviour)
• Seeing the big picture
• Working together
• Developing self and others
Please refer to the CS Behaviours framework for more details, including by grade:
If we receive a large number of applications, we will carry out an initial sift on the lead behaviour of Leadership.
Candidates invited to Interview
Please note that interviews will be carried out remotely via MS Teams.
During the interview, we will be assessing you on Behaviours (listed below) Strengths from the Success Profiles framework and a short presentation.
• Leadership (lead behaviour)
• Seeing the big picture
• Working together
• Developing self and others
Presentation
As part of the interview process, you will also be asked to give a 5-minute presentation. The topic/question will be shared in advance with candidates invited to interview to allow time to prepare.
If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Claire Barcham at claire.barcham@justice.gov.uk .
Additional InformationWorking 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
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
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:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
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 20400
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
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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 Seeing the Big Picture Working Together Developing Self and Others 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 You will also be asked to upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 1000 words stating what you would bring to the role, with reference to the Essential Criteria listed in the job description Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Statement of SuitabilityInterview stage assessments
Interview Dates Interviews expected in September Behaviours Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Working Together Developing Self and Others 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.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.