Technical Writer

Responsibilities:

• Lead the creation, maintenance and continuous improvement of technical documentation for the Justice Data Platform and closely related services.
• Produce clear, accurate and usable content for defined user groups including data professionals, support teams and operational users.
• Work closely with engineers, data specialists and architects to understand complex technical systems and translate them into documentation that supports real user tasks, decisions and troubleshooting.
• Line-manage mid-level technical writers, providing clear direction, feedback and support to help them deliver high-quality documentation and develop their technical writing practice.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of shared documentation standards, templates and publishing practices, working within Justice Digital and OCTO guidance.
• Apply agreed standards, adapting them where needed to meet user needs and service context.
• Use, monitor and improve existing technical documentation publishing platforms and workflows, helping teams adopt good practice and reduce duplication or outdated content.
• Work with user researchers and directly access web analytics to use evidence to understand how well technical documentation helps users complete tasks, identify confusing or incomplete content and prioritise improvements that reduce support burden.
• Communicate clearly with service owners and senior stakeholders about documentation risks, user needs and improvement priorities, using evidence to influence decisions and build agreement.

Key Competencies & Requirements:

• Technical ability to create clear, usable technical documentation that helps people complete real tasks.
• Strong user-centred approach to technical writing.
• Ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Experience supporting and developing other technical writers through line management or mentoring.
• Behaviour: Seeing the big picture.
• Behaviour: Changing and improving.
• Behaviour: Communicating and influencing.
• Behaviour: Developing self and others.

Working Arrangement:

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. This role can be worked in the UK only; employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Salary:

Base salary for this role is from £58,511 to £65,329 (National) or £63,343 to £70,725 (London).

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service. There is also a scheme allowing qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year, plus additional paid time off for public holidays and one 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 provide advice and support and enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed directly to senior management. Currently networks are available 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; paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave; free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.