Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales
- Body
- Victims Commissioner
- Appointing Department
- Ministry of Justice
- Sector
- Judicial, Prison & Policing
- Location
- London
- Number of Vacancies
- 1
- Remuneration
- Remuneration will be calculated pro rata with a full-time equivalent salary of £108,000. The role is not pensionable. Remuneration will be subject to PAYE tax and National Insurance Contributions. For members who receive a full salary from the public purse the remuneration otherwise payable to members is abated.
- Time Requirements
- Full-time. 37 hours per week
Campaign Timeline
-
Competition Launched
10/03/2022
-
Closed for Applications
04/04/2022 at 09:00
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Panel Sift
04/05/2022
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Final Interview Date
09/06/2022
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Announcement
This campaign has been re-launched
Announcement
An announcement has been made on the outcome of this appointment.
This campaign has been re-launched.
Date: 30/08/2022
Assessment Panel
- Panel Member
- Jerome Glass
- Added
- 10/03/2022
- Panel Role
- Panel Chair
- Positions
- Director General, Policy and Strategy Group Prison Policy, MoJ Departmental Official
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| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Kelby Harmes
- Added
- 10/03/2022
- Positions
- Director and Deputy Head of the Attorney General’s Office Departmental Official
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| Political Activity | - |
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| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Emily Hunt
- Added
- 10/03/2022
- Positions
- Government Adviser, particularly on the experiences of rape victims within the criminal justice system Other Panel Member
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| Political Activity | - |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
- Panel Member
- Dawid Konotey-Ahulu
- Added
- 10/03/2022
- Positions
- Co-founder of investment consulting firm, Redington, and member of the Prime Minister’s Business Council Independent Member
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| Political Activity | Has undertaken political activity for a political party in the past five years |
|---|---|
| Notes | - |
Vacancy Description
The role of the Victims’ Commissioner
Purpose:
Section 49 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 prescribes that the Commissioner must:
- promote the interests of victims and witnesses;
- encourage good practice in their treatment; and
- keep under review the operation of the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code).
The Commissioner may, for any purpose connected with the performance of their duties as above, make proposals to the Justice Secretary for amending the Victims’ Code (at the request of the Justice Secretary or on their own initiative); make a report to the Secretary of State; make recommendations to an authority within their remit and consult any person they think appropriate. The Commissioner is required to produce and publish an annual report on performance to the Justice Secretary, the Attorney General and the Home Secretary, and to give advice to a Minister of the Crown or the Treasury when required to do so.
The role of Victims’ Commissioner is vital, with the Victims’ Bill consultation considering evidence on how to substantially improve victims’ experience of the criminal justice system. Part of the consultation asked for views about the powers of the Commissioner to hold government to account which may result in some future changes to the role.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership
- Acting as the key government advisor to promote the interests of victims and witnesses, encouraging good practice in their treatment, providing national leadership and raising awareness of victims’ issues.
- Highlighting and promoting the needs of victims of crime across various sectors and Commissioners, to ensure they are best able cope with and, as far as possible, recover from the effects of crime and engage with the criminal justice system.
Partnership Working
- Develop wide-ranging and strategic working relationships with a number of stakeholders, including individuals and organisations, victims of crime, criminal justice agencies, service providers, third sector organisations, as well as the media.
- Whilst noting the independence of the role, the Victims’ Commissioner will be expected to develop an effective relationship with the Secretary of State for Justice, junior Ministers and policy officials from across government. They will also be required to give evidence to parliamentary committees and provide expert advice as and when required.
- The Commissioner will need to work particularly closely with Commissioners across government, such as the Children’s Commissioner and Domestic Abuse Commissioner, and will need to work in partnership with other organisations when this would deliver the most effective results.
- Identifying and actively promoting examples of good practice and in doing so make proposals to the Secretary of State in respect of the Victims’ Code (at the request of the Secretary of State or on their own initiative); make reports to the Secretary of State; and make recommendations to any authority within their remit and consult any person they think appropriate.
Management and Accountability
- The Commissioner must prepare in respect of each calendar year a report on the carrying out of the functions of the Commissioner during the year sending a copy to the Secretary of State for Justice, the Attorney General, and the Home Secretary.
- Lead a team of staff (civil servants), who will support the Commissioner in their duties.
- The Commissioner will be required to meet regularly with the Secretary of State for Justice and other Ministers responsible for victims’ issues, including attendance at regular meetings such as the Victim and Witness Advisory Group.
Other Specific Responsibilities
- Gain first-hand knowledge and understanding of the victims’ landscape.
- The Victims’ Commissioner will not act in relation to individual cases, although they may use the lessons of an individual case to inform their work.
The Victims’ Commissioner will not commission, provide or fund services. The responsibilities of the Victims’ Commissioner may be revised during the course of the appointment, in particular as a result of changes to the powers as prescribed under the legislation.
Person Specification
Essential criteria
Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:
- Credibility to work with victims and senior levels of government or the public sector;
- Have knowledge or an interest in the issues concerning victims of crime, victims’ organisations and the criminal justice system;
- Highly developed inter-personal and communication skills with the ability to command confidence and build and maintain successful working relationships and partnerships with victims and victims’ organisations, Ministers, heads of criminal justice agencies, other independent Commissioners including the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Police and Crime Commissioners, and deliver difficult and challenging messages credibly;
- Experience of using the media effectively and appropriately to communicate messages and engage the wider public;
- Outstanding organisational leadership, setting strategic direction and successfully deliver priorities;
- A clear understanding of the role of evidence-based analysis in informing public bodies in areas of political and public attention and sensitivity; and
- The ability to work independently and provide robust, independent advice, under a high level of public scrutiny.
Additional Information
The Commissioner for Public Appointments ensures that appointments are made in accordance with the Governance Code and the principles of public appointments. All appointments follow a recruitment process set out in the Governance Code for Public Appointments.
How to Apply
To apply please read the attached Candidate Information Pack then submit the following documents by email to:
PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk quoting reference PAT160035 in the subject line of your email. We will acknowledge receipt.
- A copy of your CV, in no more than two sides of A4;
- A supporting statement that evidences how you meet all the criteria, in no more than two sides of A4;
- Supporting Documents form which includes:
- Conflicts of interest and previous conduct;
- Significant political activity;
- Number of other public appointments held;
- Please also supply details of two referees; and
- Complete the Diversity online monitoring form via the link below.