General Information
Salary
£28,064 - £33,549
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Norwich
Region
East of England
Closing Date
01-Jun-2026
Business Unit
London Probation Service
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17495
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Overview of the job This is an administrative role in NPS Divisional headquarters, clusters and functions and reports to the NPS Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function as appropriate
Summary The role is to provide secretarial and administrative support to the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function by acting as the primary point of contact and assisting in the management of the day to day running of the division, function or cluster through the key tasks of diary coordination, compilation of correspondence and documents and the organisations of meetings and other engagements.
The job holder will have no line manager responsibilities
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Manage Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function’s Diary
• Supporting the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function in meeting business requirements by supporting them to resolve conflicting demands in planning schedules • Efficient maintenance of the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function’s diary ensuring that time management is optimised
• Acting as the first point of contact for the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function, using initiative and responding to and/or directing queries to the relevant parties
• Acting as a screening point for the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function’s telephone calls, general correspondence and e-mails, highlighting priority work and responding to queries using an understanding of Probation service delivery and the partnership map
• Providing a full range of secretarial and administrative support and assistance to the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function, producing a range of material from correspondence to complex confidential reports
• Developing and maintaining comprehensive and up-to-date electronic and manual filing systems which support the operational delivery of Probation services and are effective in storing and retrieving key data
• Support planning and finalising of agendas for meetings, overseeing coordination and distribution of paperwork
• Taking minutes at senior management meetings and distributing to relevant parties
• Liaising directly with internal and external colleagues and partners to deal with enquiries and to co-ordinate appointments and engagements
• Keeping up to date with changes in key external partnerships which relate to Probation service delivery
• Contributing towards the organisation and coordination of large scale divisional events
• Coordination and collation of meetings for internal and external attendees, booking rooms, arranging refreshments, preparing material, greeting visitors etc
• Dealing with highly sensitive issues, acting with diplomacy and maintaining strict confidentiality at all times
• Arranging business travel and accommodation for the Deputy Director or Head of Operational Function.
Use communication effectively
• Providing information, feedback and advice
• Influencing and persuading
• Participate in meetings where appropriate
• Using appropriate skills, styles and approaches
Enhance your own performance
• Manage own resources and professional development
Use information to take critical decisions
• Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, using systems and compiling reports as necessary
• Develop and utilise data to identify trends and take appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance
• Plan, implement and manage systems for the exchange of sensitive
information, data and intelligence
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 alternations 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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
Behaviours • Working Together • Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
Essential Experience • Experience of managing diary of a senior executive • Experience of providing a wide range of management support activities
Technical requirements NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience) IT Skills: Microsoft: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances 37
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis
Pension
The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.
Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
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 have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Eligibility
All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
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.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- 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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
- 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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 17495
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 17495
Job Description Attachment
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to take place in mid-June 2026
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click
here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
