Head of Policy

This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Working Pattern: Full Time

Vacancy Approach: Cross Government

Location: London

Region: London

Closing Date: 11-Jun-2026

Business Unit: Security Group

Post Type: Permanent

Grade: 6

Number of jobs available: 1

Reserve List: 12 Months

Job ID: 18068

Background

The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU), run by HMPPS and Home Office HSG, is the strategic centre for all counter terrorism work with offenders in England and Wales. It has oversight of CT delivery across the end to end offender management process, including probation.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead JEXU's Strategy and Policy command during a period of significant operational challenge and change.

The role involves significant engagement across HMPPS, government and agencies. Working with policy, research and analysis, legal, intelligence, operational, communications and private office colleagues, you will set the strategic context, develop policy that yields real operational outcomes on the frontline, and underpin delivery with a robust evidence base.

Role Description and Responsibilities

This role reports to the Head of Unit (Deputy Director). The postholder will lead the Strategy and Policy command to:

• Oversee the unit's strategic response to internal and external reviews of counter terrorism in the sector and our input to allocations and other funding processes.
• Provide senior support on briefing ministers, seniors and governance boards on CT work in the sector, and academic / international engagement.
• Own, and help the team develop, the operational policies that underpin frontline capability to manage terrorism risk.
• Provide oversight to the JEXU analytical team, ensuring alignment between their skills and interests and business needs, and removing barriers to effective working.
• Support all three teams in the command through effective leadership and maintain and develop their capability across their portfolios.
• Play a key HQ leadership role in the event of a critical incident.
• Experience of leading the development of strategy and policy in a complex environment.
• Experience of leading the building and refining of a strong evidence base to support policy development and evaluation.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including effective engagement with seniors.
• Experience of working with operational teams and partners.

Knowledge of counter terrorism and/or the prisons and probation sector is required.

Candidate will need to pass Developed Vetting before taking up post.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. This role can only be worked in the UK. Working arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and are subject to regular review.

Successful candidates will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office.

Part time, flexible and job sharing working patterns are considered in accordance with the HMPPS Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

• Bank, public and privilege holidays: 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes.
• Season ticket advance: After two months' service, eligible to apply for a season ticket advance for travel between home and place of work.
• Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention, and Anti bullying programmes.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition. We are a Disability Confident employer and offer reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. Qualified candidates are invited to apply regardless of circumstances that may affect the recruitment process.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates: TBC

Level of security checks required

DBS Standard, Developed Vetting (DV)

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence can be used to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, factually accurate and taken from your own experience. Plagiarism may result in withdrawal of application or disciplinary action.