General Information
Descriptions & requirements
JOB TITLE: Senior Project Manager
Grade: SEO
LOCATION: Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow City Centre
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) is an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We receive over 40,000 applications a year for compensation, from people who have lost loved ones or have been injured as a result of violent crime. We know financial compensation can never fully redress what they have suffered. Nevertheless, what we do is an important part of providing justice for victims and we take pride that the compensation we pay helps people move forward with their lives.
We employ around 350 people and are based in Glasgow city centre, with excellent transport links. We are a small, engaged, productive workforce with a real sense of corporate community. We want to keep improving our services and the way we work to best serve the public, meet new challenges, deliver value for money and ensure CICA is a great place to work.
This position is based at Buchanan Wharf, 10 Clyde Place, Glasgow, G5 8AQ. We currently operate a hybrid working business model, where you will be expected to work 50% of your time in the office and the remainder at home.
Job Summary
This role sits within the newly established Directorate for Modernisation Strategy and Implementation. This Directorate will play a key role in delivering CICA's, modernisation and transformation agenda, building on existing business change and continuous improvement work. The successful candidate will help identify opportunities to improve services, processes and ways of working, supporting better outcomes for victims applying for compensation while improving organisational efficiency and effectiveness.
Working closely with operational teams, MoJ Digital colleagues and wider MoJ partners, you will support the design and delivery of initiatives that are evidence-based, user-focused and aligned to CICA's strategic priorities. Using data, insight and stakeholder engagement, you will help shape solutions, support implementation and ensure the benefits of change are embedded and sustained.
We are seeking an individual with experience of project delivery, service improvement or organisational change within a complex environment. You will build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, helping to drive adoption of new ways of working and contributing to CICA's ambition to deliver a modern, efficient and victim-centred service.
The successful candidate will be both role model and an advocate for professional development and continued learning as we strive to provide the best possible service, in the most efficient manner possible by encouraging learning and ensuring the team stays at the forefront of new techniques and methods.
Does this sound like the right opportunity for the next stage in your career? If so, we will be delighted to hear from you.
Role and responsibilities
- Own and deliver large to medium scale change and continuous improvement projects.
- Support the Director with strategic business change priorities and projects.
- Support Project Managers with medium to small scale change and continuous improvement projects.
- Develop and draft business cases for business change projects, working alongside subject matter experts, key stakeholders and business leaders as appropriate.
- Build and maintain project plans and apply appropriate project principles to deliver stated objectives.
- Provide effective controls to track and report delivery against milestones, engaging with local and contracted subject matter experts to deliver change and new capabilities within CICA.
- Conduct day to day management and leadership of projects and project teams to deliver agreed outcomes and benefits.
- Identify and monitor project risks and issues. Develop mitigating actions and escalate as appropriate.
- Ensure benefits are identified, understood, measured, tracked and owned. Ensure appropriate Benefits Realisation Strategy is in place, and monitor longer term delivery of benefits against the original project objectives.
- Lead the change management lifecycle, coach, guide and support colleagues as required.
- Provide bespoke reports as required to support effective governance and decision making.
- Provide regular project reports for dissemination to Transformation Change Committee (TCC) supporting effective governance.
- Create, develop, and manage effective stakeholder relationships across CICA and with relevant stakeholders from wider MoJ and other parties as required.
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable and practical experience of delivering business change through partnership and collaborative working, with proven capability in managing programme governance and reporting.
- Ability to gather and analyse stakeholder information, together with other sources of management information, to derive credible insight which soundly informs short, medium and long-term service improvements and cost efficiencies.
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging successfully with a wide range of stakeholders and providers to define requirements and translate these into projects.
- Competent working through financial implications of change and continuous improvement proposals to accurately assess the cost and benefits of proposals, to ensure any activities are delivered within available budget and achieve the projected savings.
- Proven ability to lead, coach and continuously develop direct reports.
- Excellent verbal and written presentation skills, confident and credible when presenting to varied audiences including internal audiences, senior stakeholders and external suppliers.
Desirable Criteria
- Formal project delivery qualifications. (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or above, Prince2, Agile)
- A track record of exploring and delivering new and innovative approaches to improvement.
How to Apply
For stage 1 of the process, you must provide a personal statement (max 750 words) providing evidence of the essential criteria. Where you can also demonstrate that you meet the desirable criteria, please include that evidence in the statement. Your personal statement should make clear your personal skills, qualities, experience and suitability for the role.
If successful at stage 1, you will be invited to interview (Stage 2). At this stage you will be tested on the following behaviours as set out in the Civil Service Success profiles. Please ensure you understand the behaviours required for SEO roles.
Behaviours
We will assess you against the following behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decision
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Delivering at Pace
During the panel interview, you will also be asked Strengths based questions.
Interviews are expected to take place in early October 2026.
We will be conducting all interviews at our office at 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ.
Apply and Further Information
Once the application deadline has passed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may wish to save a copy for your records.
A reserve list will be created and will be valid for 12 months. If further vacancies arise for this or similar roles at Senior Executive Officer Grade, candidates may be appointed from the reserve list in order of merit.
We offer flexible working 7am – 7pm, Monday to Friday. This role is offered on a full-time (37 hours per week) working pattern; however, we would ask that applicants make themselves available on a full-time, fixed hours basis (9am to 5pm) for the initial training period which takes up to 2 weeks. This is to ensure the best training and consolidation experience for new colleagues.
Queries about the roles may be emailed to Corporate.Support@cica.gov.uk
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 role: 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.
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.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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
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.
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.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
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.
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 22171
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 22171
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Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
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.
22171 - Senior Project Manager in Glasgow employer: Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming lives through education and vocational training. With a strong emphasis on supportive relationships and personal development, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises safety and security while offering opportunities for professional growth and meaningful impact in the community. Working in this role not only allows you to make a difference but also provides a unique chance to contribute to the rehabilitation and resettlement of individuals in a dynamic environment.