21931 Offender Subject Access Request Team Vetting Officer
Job Location:
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
About the Department
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is one of the largest government departments employing around 70000 people (including those in the Probation Service) with a budget of approximately 9 billion. Each year millions of people use our services across the UK including at 500 courts and tribunals and 133 prisons in England and Wales.
What we do
We work to protect the public and reduce reoffending and to provide a more effective transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public. We are also responsible for the following parts of the justice system:
- Courts
- Prisons
- Probation services
- Attendance centres.
We also work in partnership with other government departments and agencies to reform the criminal justice system to serve the public and support the victims of crime. We are also responsible for making new laws strengthening democracy and safeguarding human rights.
New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join on the minimum of the pay range. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Departments pay on transfer/pay on promotion rules.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: Background The Offender Subject Access Request team sits within the MoJs Security Services and Information Governance Group Directorate which has a broad range of responsibilities including corporate communications through to information management and records compliance. As part of the Directorates Information Services Division our aim is to ensure the MoJ holds information in compliance with legislation that all information is correctly stored accessible and shared appropriately and our information is protected and the risks managed. We believe that knowing what information and records we have and having the right information available at the right time by those who need it or request it is at the heart of an excellent justice system. The Offender SAR team manage and process over 6000 Subject Access Requests (SARs) on behalf of the MoJ per annum. Role Purpose You will be joining an established team that provides a dedicated and expert function in processing offender SARs. We ensure that offenders are supported through their sentence and rehabilitation by having access to the right information at the right time by responding to requests in full and within statutory timescales. The successful candidate will become a Vetting Officer within the vetting team that is responsible for reviewing offender information and determining what information can be disclosed in line with the Data Protection Act (2018). This role is a vital part of the Offender SAR function. The role involves viewing sensitive offender information that contains details of offences which can be of an explicit nature. Due to the volume and complexity of the information youll be handling careful attention to detail is a must. You will be required to have strong English reading and comprehension skills. Working Pattern Please note that this vacancy is for a full-time position only working 37 hours. The role requires a full-time working pattern to support the operational requirements of the Offender Subject Access Request Team and the structured training programme. Applications for part-time working patterns or reduced hours cannot be accommodated for this vacancy. Training and Performance Expectations The successful candidate will undertake a structured training programme to develop the knowledge skills and competence required to perform the Vetting Officer role independently. During the initial training phase which typically lasts up to 8 weeks you will be expected to attend the office on a full-time basis. Full-time office attendance during this period is required to ensure you receive the appropriate face-to-face training coaching and support needed to develop the knowledge and competence required for the role. Candidates should therefore ensure they are able to meet this requirement before applying. Upon successful completion of the initial training phase you will be permitted to work from home for up to two days per week with the remaining three days worked from the office. This hybrid working arrangement will apply subject to operational requirements and the needs of the Offender Subject Access Request Team. Throughout the training period you will be expected to meet incremental Key Performance Indicator (KPI) targets which will increase as you progress through the different stages of training and develop your competence in the role. These targets will include expectations relating to productivity quality and accuracy. Your progress against the required KPI targets and quality standards will be regularly reviewed throughout your training. Successful achievement of the required incremental KPI targets and demonstrated competence at each stage of the training programme will be required in order to achieve full sign-off as a Vetting Officer. Main Activities / Responsibilities The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
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). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly Hybrid Working will not suit everyones circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode) either at a HQ building JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its locations respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJs 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.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ 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 MoJs 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.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 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 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 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.
- 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 onorChildcare Choices.You can determine your eligibility at
- Paid paternity adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
TheCivil Service Codesets 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 Commissionsrecruitment 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
- To Transformative Business Services (0(Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team();
- To the Civil Service Commission (details availablehere)
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.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition please watch our animated videos.
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.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Planand theCivil 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: 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)
- 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) 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.
- OffenderSARVettingOfficerAdvertFinal (Full time only).docx (Job Description Attachment)
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 see ourcandidate guidancefor more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
About Company
The Ministry of Justice’s Office of the Deputy Attorney General (International Law) handles a broad range of issues in the field of international law, including public international law, economic law and international humanitarian law. The Office is also at the forefront of advocating ... View more
