Policy Advisor – Joint Strategic Policy Unit in Leeds

General Information

• Salary Range: £39,803 - £43,783 (nationwide); £42,817 - £48,824 (London) – salary dependent on base location.
• Working Pattern: Full Time.
• Location: Leeds, London.
• Region: London, Yorkshire and the Humber.
• Number of jobs available: 2.
• Business Unit: AGY - NOMS Agency.
• Post Type: Permanent.
• Closing Date: 18-May-2026.
• Job ID: 16910.

Eligibility: Only existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non‑departmental public bodies (NDPBs) – please review the "Eligibility" section before applying.

Responsibilities:

• Helping to develop evidence‑based policy, providing research and written input into both published and internal pieces of work.
• Building good working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders – particularly HMPPS and other government departments.
• Being familiar with the internal and external governance and project management arrangements for key projects, including attending meetings and/or Boards on behalf of the team, developing papers, coordinating and supporting effective project management and otherwise feeding in as appropriate.
• Communicating regularly with senior leaders and stakeholders, presenting ideas and feeding back from these meetings to the team.
• Supporting the team to brief Ministers, including working closely with colleagues to meet tight ministerial deadlines and requests.
• Input to short‑term problem‑solving on urgent issues.
• Assisting in drafting briefing, submissions and similar pieces of work.
• Providing secretariat support for monthly Capacity Strategy Forum meetings.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re‑examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Skills and Experience:

• Strong communication skills (both written and verbal).
• An ability to explain information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• A willingness to work through uncertainty.
• An understanding of the Criminal Justice System.
• Experience of working on criminal justice or related issues.

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture (lead)
• Communicating & Influencing
• Working Together

Civil Service Nationality Rules:

• 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)
• 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

Working Arrangements:

Hybrid Working: Employees must be present in the office for at least 60% of their working hours, which equates to three days per week. The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements based on business need. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites, and/or from home. The role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Benefits:

• Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: 11 days (78 hours) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer‑period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.
• Training: Training and development opportunities including equality and diversity, dealing with challenging behaviour, suicide prevention and anti‑bullying programmes. Opportunities to access promotion programmes. All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles.

Contact Information:

Questions or to express interest in attending the information session, contact Abby Kramer at abby.kramer@justice.gov.uk.

Other Information: The position may be offered on a loan basis for up to 2 years to current NPS employees, subject to approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit. Eligible candidates may be placed on a reserve list for up to 12 months.