Policy Adviser

You will be part of a team responsible for driving improvements to rehabilitation and reducing reoffending across the entire criminal justice system for those with drug, alcohol or mental health needs. This includes working with stakeholders and partners to support and improve access to treatment and recovery services at each stage of the criminal justice journey - early intervention and diversion, those on community sentences, those in custody and supporting continuity of care for prison leavers on release.

We are also supporting the safe operationalisation of criminal justice provisions within the Mental Health Act reforms. You will be part of a high-profile programme of stakeholder engagement and policy development in partnership with His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), and departments across government including the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Responsibilities include:

• Leading our priority work with stakeholders to improve our understanding of the issues, and what criminal justice and treatment interventions work for those with drug, alcohol and/or mental health needs, at each stage of their journey through the criminal justice system.
• Working closely with senior officials, Ministers and supporting engagement with experts to deliver our policy priorities.
• Leading our response to ministerial priority projects by identifying, developing and providing high-quality policy input using a range of evidence to develop robust options, policies or decisions which achieve strategic objectives or priorities.
• Being adaptable, as the nature of the role and its priorities may change over time. Team members are expected to work flexibly across the team and the wider unit. 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.
  
  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 is 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…