At a Glance
- Tasks: Support clients with expert advice in occupational psychology and lead innovative projects.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice, a leader in public service and psychological consultancy.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in recruitment and assessment while developing your professional skills.
- Qualifications: Must have relevant qualifications in Occupational Psychology and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 42914 - 53081 £ per year.
Location: Staffordshire, UK; Elgin Ave., London W9 2NR, UK; Scotland; Wales, UK
Salary: 42,914 - 53,081 per year
Employment: Full time
Category: HR
Posted: 2026-07-29
Valid to: 2026-08-20
Apply: here
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Job summary: Please refer to Job Description
Job description:
Purpose: Support the Principal Occupational Psychologists and Head of Occupational Psychology Centre of Expertise in providing a pro-active and advisory/consultancy service to clients that meets business needs, is compliant with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles and Occupational Psychology professional standards, and enables clients to attract the best talent in a cost effective and efficient manner. Contribute to the development and delivery of psychological research and consultancy to MOJ People Function’s operational and tactical resourcing activities. Provide advice covering all aspects of occupational psychology related to recruitment, selection and assessment across MOJ Group.
Responsibilities:
- Line management of team members, including facilitation and supervision of their professional development. This may include being a QOP2 supervisor and/or line management of higher psychologists. Conduct problem analysis and determine all the client requirements and issues to be addressed. Liaise directly with clients, keeping them informed in a timely manner.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of employee selection procedures, including psychometric tests, assessment centre exercises and structured interviews.
- Apply professional judgement and expertise in selecting robust, cost-effective and relevant psychological tools and techniques to meet client needs.
- Provide up-to-date impartial, relevant and evidence-based advice to clients on the psychological and behavioural implications of their plans/practices.
- Provide theoretically-founded or evidence-based advice and guidance to clients on how psychological interventions can support their requirements.
- Liaise closely with the wider Resourcing, Selection and Onboarding team, as well as other relevant stakeholders, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet client needs and deliver projects to required timescales.
- Oversee the design and application of psychological interventions, research and evaluation within their area of expertise.
- Design and deliver comprehensive training packages to train assessors, interviewers and role players.
- Carry out complex statistical analysis and interrogation of data to quality assure assessment outcomes to ensure they are consistent, reliable, valid, free from adverse impact and legally defensible.
- Support wider MoJ People Function to provide Occupational Psychology guidance and/or research as required.
Required Experience:
- Leading end-to-end projects within the consultancy cycle.
- Working with clients to diagnose issues and suggest strategies for change.
- Designing and evaluating a wide range of assessment solutions, including interviews, assessment centre exercises, and online assessments.
- Conducting job analysis and competency framework/Success Profile design.
- Conducting behavioural assessments and interviews.
- Using psychometric tools and ability tests for recruitment.
- Designing and delivering training courses.
- Using data and evidence to inform decision making.
Behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical Behaviours:
- Ambassador
Professional Skills:
- Consultancy
- Research & Evaluation
Technical/Qualification Requirements:
- British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology, which confers Chartered Member with the BPS and Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology and Registered Occupational Psychologist with the HCPC.
- If you are within 6 months of successfully completing either of these qualifications, please discuss this with us.
- Test User: Occupational, Ability (or Level A equivalent)
- Test User: Occupational, Personality (or Level B equivalent)
- Good understanding of recruitment legislation and Occupational Psychology Best Practice and its potential impact on assessment delivery and design.
- Good knowledge of statistics and competent in using statistical analysis e.g. using SPSS.
Application process:
- As part of the application process, you will be asked to first confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria for the role including Qualifications.
- You will then be asked to complete a Statement of Suitability. Your Statement of Suitability (no more than 1250 words) should explain how your Required Experience evidences your suitability for the role.
- A CV covering job history and qualifications is requested to provide context to your responses throughout the selection process.
Interview Stage:
- Candidates who are successful at sift will then be invited to an interview. The interview will be conducted via MS Teams.
- The interview will have 2 parts:
- You will first be asked to do a 10-minute pre-prepared presentation. The presentation can be with or without the use of slides.
- Interview questions assessing the Behaviours outlined in the job advert and the Technical Behaviour: Ambassador.
Expected Sift date: w/c 24th August
Expected Interview date: w/c 7th September
Licences:
- Registered Occupational Psychologist with the HCPC.
Qualifications:
- British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology, which confers Chartered Member with the BPS and Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology and Registered Occupational Psychologist with the HCPC.
Memberships:
- British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology, which confers Chartered Member with the BPS and Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology.
Behaviours: We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills: We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Technical behaviour: Ambassador
Benefits:
- Alongside your salary of 42,914, Ministry of Justice contributes 12,432 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
- Access to learning and development.
- A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance.
- A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Annual Leave.
- Public Holidays.
- Season Ticket Advance.
For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Artificial intelligence: 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.
Selection process details: This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Nationality requirements: 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)
- 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.
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.
Diversity and Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Apply and further information: This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Contact point for applicants:
- Job contact: Name: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
- Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
- Telephone: 0345 241 5359
Recruitment team: Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Further information: Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
Senior Occupational Psychologist (Ref: 20458) in Edinburgh employer: Government Recruitment Service
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Contact Details:
Government Recruitment Service Recruitment Team
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