GENERAL INFORMATION

Salary
£47,657 - £52,040
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
30-Jan-2025
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade

DESCRIPTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION ATTACHMENT

• 
  JO draft JD template - DPS to SPJ Jan 2025.docx (Job Description Attachment)

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

We are recruiting a permanent Deputy Private Secretary to join the Private Office of the Senior Presiding Judge. We are a team of eleven, responsible for supporting the SPJ and DSPJ on all areas of their portfolio.
The successful candidate will be required to support the Head of Office and Private Secretary in providing high quality advice and support to the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary, working confidently and effectively with officials within the Judicial Office and across Government. The post-holder will need to work ly with colleagues in other parts of the Judicial Office, MoJ, HMCTS, and other agencies, investing time to develop good relationships.
As one of three Deputy Private Secretaries, you will be required to independently manage a range of activities – both routine ‘business as usual’ work and standalone projects. You will be the lead contact in the office for matters relating to magistrates’ policy and governance, and matters to do with the court estate, among other responsibilities. However, portfolios are subject to change in the SPJ Office, and you will be required to develop a level of understanding across all of the SPJ’s responsibilities.
The role involves line management of at least one member of staff.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

The postholder will be expected to:

• Establish themselves as a trusted source of advice for the SPJ, DSPJ and other senior judiciary, providing advice, recommendations and challenge w appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador for the SPJ and DSPJ, communicating with senior stakeholders with accuracy and sensitivity.
• Build strong relationships with, and liaise between, members of the judiciary and teams across the Judicial Office, HMCTS and the MoJ.
• Remain alert to live and emerging issues within the magistracy, and provide advice, briefing and support to the SPJ and DSPJ w required.
• Ensure that the SPJ, DSPJ and senior judiciary are kept informed of matters to do with the judicial estate, dealing with issues on their behalf and escalating w required.
• Provide support to the SPJ and DSPJ on standalone projects which they lead on behalf of the judiciary.
• Set the agenda and brief for regular meetings, take forward and monitor actions and communicate decisions to other stakeholders.
• Undertake ad-hoc requests as required to support the SPJ, DSPJ and Private Secretary/Head of Office.
• Line manage of at least one member of staff.

This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change depending on the SPJ and DSPJ’s priorities.
Private Office roles are unpredictable and can require working long hours and, very occasionally, at weekends. It may be necessary to support the SPJ on visits across the country tfore some travel will likely be required. This role is not suitable for job-share or reduced hours working.
Please see attached job description for further details on essential and desired criteria and how to apply.
Additional Information

The SPJ’s responsibilities and remit include:

• providing support, leadership and guidance for courts judiciary and magistrates, particularly to leadership judges;
• acting as ‘Chief of Staff’ for the Lady Chief Justice, dealing with the day–to–day issues affecting the judiciary, across a wide-ranging field including diversity, HR casework, and appointments
• representing the Lady Chief Justice on the HMCTS Board and attending a number of other high-profile boards; and
• the effective and efficient operation of the courts, including regular meetings with those involved in the work of the courts, and working with judges to understand and improve performance