23434 - Policy Advisors in the VAWG Team

The Ministry of Justice is expanding its Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Unit with two permanent Policy Advisor roles. Based in London or Leeds, these posts sit in the heart of government work and come with a hybrid model that balances time in an office with remote work. Only current civil servants or employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies who are already in post are eligible to apply, and you must still be employed as a civil servant when you accept an offer. The roles are fixed at HEO level, with salary bands that reflect your base location, London individuals earning £40,014 to £42,859, while those based nationally sit in the £35,335 to £37,847 band. This cross-government opportunity targets two qualified policy professionals who want to help shape how victims experience the justice system and how the government tackles violence against women and girls.

Through the Victims and VAWG Unit, the role places you at the centre of major policy work that spans governance, briefing Ministers, and coordinating across government partners. You’ll work with colleagues in policy, operational, and analytical teams to develop evidence-based approaches, respond to challenges as they arise, and support the government’s strategy to halve violence against women and girls within a decade. Depending on business needs, you may touch on sexual offences and domestic abuse policy, international engagement, and technology-facilitated harm, all while helping to keep momentum on key commitments. The MoJ values inclusive teamwork and gives you exposure to Ministers and senior officials, with scope to shape a high-profile policy programme.

Policy work that balances strategy with delivery

Successful candidates will be able to base themselves at either 102 Petty France in London or 5 Wellington Place in Leeds, with occasional travel between the two sites. The role supports governance structures that underpin the VAWG Strategy, ensuring oversight and progress across government, and coordinating activities so senior leaders have clear, timely information. You’ll work alongside policy, operational and analytical teams to translate data and research into practical policy improvements that better protect victims and strengthen responses to abuse. The work may involve domestic abuse and sexual offences policy, and in some circumstances, supporting the UK’s international engagement on these issues, alongside building relationships with third-sector organisations and other stakeholders.

Role 1 focuses on the VAWG Strategy Team, with a mission to enable the delivery of flagship government objectives. Role 2 sits in the Sexual Offences Policy Team, concentrating on policy development around rape and sexual offences, including the delivery of specialist rape courtrooms. Both roles demand strong governance, effective briefings, and the ability to manage multiple strands of work at pace. You’ll use data and stakeholder insight to inform policy, draft ministerial briefings and correspondence, and help prepare for ministerial meetings and visits. You’ll also contribute to cross-cutting work and foster an inclusive, collaborative environment across the team and beyond.

What you’ll need to bring (essential) and what would help (desirable)

• You can turn technical policy into clear, persuasive written and oral advice that ministers can act on.
• You build solid working relationships across government and with a range of teams.
• Your analytical mindset helps you interpret complex information and turn it into evidence-based solutions.
• You’ve got practical experience developing and delivering policy.
• You deliver consistently across multiple workstreams, maintaining pace without losing sight of detail.
• You understand the broader strategic aims of your work and how it fits into wider government priorities.

• Knowledge of VAWG policy or experience delivering cross-government policy work would be a plus.

Pay, benefits and practical details you should know

Salary is location-dependent: the national range is £35,335 to £37,847, while London brings a higher range of £40,014 to £42,859. The role supports flexible patterns, including full-time, part-time, or job share, with a hybrid working model that blends remote and in-office work. You could be based at 102 Petty France in London or 5 Wellington Place in Leeds, and occasional travel between the two offices may be required. The post is permanent, at Civil Service Grade HEO, with two vacancies available and a reserve list for 12 months. The MoJ operates a flexible hours policy and standard full-time hours are 37 per week, with part-time and flexible options considered where they meet the role’s needs. The role is UK-based, not overseas, and you’ll join a department that supports a minimum 60% of time in an office setting in line with national arrangements.

Additional information also notes the MoJ’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the possibility of hybrid arrangements subject to local estate capacity, and a broad benefits package including annual leave that starts at 25 days and rises after five years of service, pension options, training opportunities, and networks for minority groups and allies. You’ll also see guidance and support for disability confidence in recruitment, with interview adjustments available for disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria.

Advice for applicants you can put to use

Tip one: lead your CV with the policy work you’ve done that lines up with these roles, highlight governance, ministerial briefing, and cross-government coordination, and show the impact of your work on outcomes for victims.

Tip two: demonstrate the must-have skills with concrete examples. Show you can translate complex policy into clear advice, build broad networks across government, analyse information to craft evidence-based solutions, and deliver multiple workstreams on a tight timeline. Use specific data or outcomes to illustrate your points.

Tip three: for the interview, come prepared to discuss how you see the big picture and how you maintain momentum under pressure. Have ready examples that showcase your ability to deliver at pace, and practice presenting complex ideas in a straightforward way to ministers and senior officials. Expect questions on influencing others and communicating clearly, and be ready for strengths-based prompts that aren’t shared in advance.

Tip four: plan a smart question to ask at the end of your interview. A good one would ask about how the team measures progress against the VAWG Strategy and the governance cadence used for reporting to Ministers and cross-government partners, or how the two policy streams coordinate to deliver on core commitments.

How to apply for the 23434 Policy Advisor roles

To apply, quote the job reference 23434 and contact the MoJ recruitment lines for guidance. If you need assistance, you can call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm) or email [email protected]. For the Ministry of Justice, Georgia Evans at [email protected] and Harriet Miskin at [email protected] are listed as points of contact. You’ll be asked to provide a CV during the application process for demonstrating relevant experience, but note that the CV itself will not be assessed; you will also upload a Statement of Suitability of no more than 500 words detailing what you would bring to the role, with reference to the listed Skills and Experience. Applications will be assessed under the Civil Service Success Profiles framework, and interviews are expected to take place in November 2026, with remote delivery for candidates invited to interview. If you have a disability or long-term condition, you can request reasonable adjustments and may be offered an interview under disability-confident principles.