At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evaluation strategy for prison estate projects and ensure high analytical standards.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to improving the prison system.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with a focus on collaboration and team wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on prison reform while leading a dynamic and inclusive team.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in analytical leadership and managing complex evaluation programmes.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Role Overview
Provide senior leadership for the Prison Estate Evaluation and Evidence Programme, overseeing a complex, multi‑strand evaluation strategy across the Prison Capacity Portfolio – including new prisons, major refurbishments and houseblock programmes. Deliver high analytical standards, coordinate across teams, and communicate findings to inform key decisions and support the delivery of modern, effective prison places.
Location and Working Arrangements
Based in the UK, this role can be located at our London or Leeds headquarters, or at a local Justice Collaboration Centre or Satellite Office. Hybrid working arrangements are available, with a requirement to spend a minimum of 60% of working time in an office.
Responsibilities
- Set direction: Lead the overall Evaluation Strategy, ensuring clear governance, strong analytical standards, and a coherent approach across programmes.
- Oversee delivery: Manage three Grade 7‑led teams, ensuring work is joined‑up, well‑prioritised, and responsive to stakeholder needs.
- Influence decisions: Work closely with policy and operational colleagues to ensure evaluation findings inform key decisions and shape strategic priorities.
- Champion evidence: Deliver high‑quality outputs that are timely and clearly communicated to senior stakeholders across MoJ and wider government.
- Build capability: Recruit, develop, and support a high‑performing and inclusive team.
- Collaborate widely: Work with analytical networks across government to ensure alignment with cross‑government evaluation standards and best practice.
Qualifications and Experience
- Analytical leadership: Experience designing and delivering evaluation programmes, structuring complex problems and allocating resources effectively.
- Programme oversight: Proven track record of setting governance and assurance processes, managing risk, and tracking delivery across multiple projects.
- Team leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead teams through competing priorities, maintaining pace while supporting collaboration and flexibility.
- Strategic thinking: Capacity to make sound decisions on evaluation design and prioritisation to maximise impact.
- Communication and influence: Ability to translate complex analysis into clear, compelling messages for senior stakeholders.
- Inclusive leadership: Commitment to building a positive team culture that supports wellbeing, development, and high performance.
- Collaboration: Strong ability to work across organisational boundaries and bring people together to deliver outcomes.
Level of security checks required: DBS Basic.
Desirable
- Experience in external procurement and/or managing contractors.
- Experience of evaluation related to prisons or large‑scale capital/infrastructure programmes.
Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service (with the option to buy or sell up to three days each year).
- Pension: Choice of pension schemes within the Civil Service.
- Training and development: Extensive opportunities to enhance professional skills.
- Employee networks: Access to specialist networks for minority ethnic origin, disabilities, caring responsibilities, women, and LGBTQ+ employees.
- Family‑friendly policies: Reduced hours, job share, and flexible benefits.
- Paid leave: Paternity, adoption, and maternity leave.
- Health: Free annual sight tests for employees using computer screens.
EEO Statement
As a Disability Confident employer, the Ministry of Justice is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talents and abilities, making adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
Head of Prison Estate Evaluation and Evidence Programme in Leeds employer: Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where analytical leadership and strategic thinking are highly valued. With flexible hybrid working arrangements, extensive training and development opportunities, and a strong commitment to inclusivity and employee wellbeing, this role in either London or Leeds provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact on the prison estate while fostering personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Prison Estate Evaluation and Evidence Programme in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around evidence-based decision-making and team leadership.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Being able to translate complex analysis into clear messages is key. Try explaining your past projects to friends or family to get comfortable with simplifying your insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Prison Estate Evaluation and Evidence Programme in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for in a Head of Prison Estate Evaluation and Evidence Programme.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires high analytical standards, be sure to provide examples of your past work where you've successfully designed and delivered evaluation programmes. We want to see how you tackle complex problems!
Communicate Clearly:Your ability to translate complex analysis into clear messages is key. When writing your application, keep it concise and ensure your points are easy to understand. Remember, we’re looking for clarity in communication!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Evaluation Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of evaluation strategies related to prison estates. Familiarise yourself with current trends and challenges in prison capacity and how they impact decision-making. This will help you articulate your vision and demonstrate your analytical leadership.
✨Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams through complex projects. Discuss how you've managed competing priorities while fostering collaboration and inclusivity. This will show that you can build a high-performing team, which is crucial for this role.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice translating complex analysis into straightforward messages. During the interview, focus on how you would communicate findings to senior stakeholders. Clear communication is key, so think about how you can make your points compelling and easy to understand.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be ready to discuss your approach to strategic decision-making in evaluation design. Think about how you prioritise projects to maximise impact and how you ensure alignment with cross-government standards. This will showcase your ability to influence decisions effectively.
