Appointment details

Victims Commissioner for England and Wales

Summary

• Organisation: Office of the Victims' commissioner
• Sponsor department: Ministry of Justice
• Location: London
• Sectors: Judicial, Prisons & Policing
• Skills: Legal, Judicial, Regulation
• Number of vacancies: 1
• Time commitment: 37 hour(s) per week
• Remuneration: £120000 per annum
• Length of term: 3 years
• Application deadline: 11am on 4 February 2025

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Timeline for this appointment

1. Opening date

   6 January 2025

2. Application deadline

   11am on 4 February 2025

3. Sifting date

   21 March 2025

4. Interviews expected to end on

   16 May 2025

Timeline dates are only an estimate and can change

About the appointment

Introduction from the Minister

Dear Candidate, 

For almost 15 years, appointees to the role of Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales have been invaluable in championing the voice of victims. Thank you for your interest in taking on this important responsibility. 

Pursuant to the Domestic, Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004, the Victims’ Commissioner’s statutory functions are to promote the interests of victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour, to encourage good practice in their treatment, and to keep under review the operation of the Victims’ Code, which sets out what victims of crime can expect to receive from the criminal justice system. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 (“the Act”) contains important provisions which will strengthen the Victims’ Commissioners’ ability to discharge their vital functions, by placing duties on certain bodies to cooperate with them and respond to their recommendations. The new Victims’ Commissioner will be an important part of ensuring that those measures mean real improvements to the experience of all victims across England and Wales. 

Beyond these baseline activities, the next Victims’ Commissioner will join at a critical time, where Government is guided by a clear Mission-led approach to make our streets safer and in particular to halve violence against women and girls and halve knife crime. A core part of delivering on these missions will be building victim confidence in the criminal justice system, and this government is committed to  ensuring the system is one that victims of crime and anti-social behaviour can trust and that delivers the information and support they need to cope and recover. 

This work has already begun with the launch of an Independent Review of Sentencing, chaired by former Lord Chancellor David Gauke, delivering on our manifesto commitment to bring sentencing up to date and ensure the sentencing framework is consistent. In addition, we will be publishing our 10-year Capacity Strategy this year, to outline our plan to delivery more prison places. When balanced with the Sentencing Review, this will ensure there will always be a prison cell for people who need one.  This will need to be supported by a probation service that is well resourced, skilled and effective at delivering community sentences.  

The Victims’ Commissioner will play an integral part in this work, as a trusted partner of victims and their advocates, experts and academics, as well as those of us charged with ensuring victims get the service and support they need and deserve: Ministers and government officials, heads of criminal justice agencies, the judiciary, other Commissioners and the victim support sector. 

The Victims’ Commissioner is a member of the Criminal Justice Board, which I chair, supporting cross-system working by bringing together senior leaders from across the Criminal Justice System, including Police and Crime Commissioners, the Criminal Bar, Ministers and the judiciary to set national priorities and provide a cross-system perspective on issues.

I know how important it is that the candidate has the tools needed to deliver on these critical functions. The Act will ensure that victims know about their rights in the Victims’ Code, and agencies deliver them. It also creates a more strategic and coordinated approach to commissioning local victim support services. However, we can and should go further. That is why this Government has committed to increase the powers of the Victims’ Commissioner, so that they can bring greater scrutiny and more accountability to bear where the needs of victims are not being met.  

I am looking to appoint a Victims’ Commissioner who will be adaptable as we evolve the role together and ambitious in how they deliver in it. We are ambitious in our thinking of how we can continue to strengthen the Victims’ Commissioner role and restore, rebuild and reform the criminal justice system into one which victims can have confidence in and know what to expect from. As such, I also welcome applications from candidates from a range of backgrounds and fields.

If you have further questions about this post, you are welcome to contact Isla Scott, Deputy Director, Victims and Witness Policy and Strategy at: isla.scott1@justice.gov.uk   

If you have questions about the appointment process, you can contact Jenny Goodwin, Public Appointments Team at: PublicAppointmentsTeam@Justice.gov.uk,  

Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP 

Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice 

Appointment description

The Role of the Victims’ Commissioner 

Section 49 of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 prescribes that the Victims’ Commissioner must:  

·     promote the interests of victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour;  

·     encourage good practice in their treatment; and  

·     keep under review the operation of the Victims’ Code. 

The Victims’ Commissioner acts as champion for victims and witnesses across England and Wales  . They encourage greater understanding of the victim experience and help ensure that their voices are heard as government, criminal justice bodies, wider public services and the victim support sector shape their approach to victims.  

Duties and powers  

Strategic oversight of the system  

The Victims’ Commissioner has a range of broad duties and powers that enable them to conduct their functions in an impactful and meaningful way. Where requested to do so by government, the Victims’ Commissioner is required to provide advice to Ministers on victims and witnesses. They are responsible for issuing an annual report and can also issue ad-hoc reports throughout the year, which can contain recommendations to certain public authorities and Government. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 will newly require the annual report to be laid in parliament, for agencies to respond to relevant recommendations within 56 days, places duties on certain bodies to cooperate with the Victims’ Commissioner, and for the Victims’ Commissioner to be consulted by the criminal justice inspectorates when developing their inspection programmes and framework. 

The Victims’ Code  

In relation to the Victims’ Code and oversight of its operation, the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 will give the Victims’ Commissioner a clear role alongside Ministers, helping hold the system to account when the Code is not being complied with. In addition to their current power to recommend amendments to the Code, the Act requires that the Victims’ Commissioner is consulted on: the issuing of a new Code and any revisions to the Code; draft regulations and guidance on Code compliance and awareness; Ministers’ annual report on Code compliance; and, any notifications issued by Ministers in response to non-compliance.  

Responsibilities  

Public Leadership 

·     The Victims’ Commissioner should use their unique position to champion the rights and interests of victims and witnesses. As an independent advocate, the Commissioner has the opportunity to elevate their voices, advocate for systemic change, and ultimately bolster confidence in the justice system. 

·     In this influential position, the Commissioner will regularly engage with key government figures, including the Secretary of State for Justice and Home Secretary, to provide expert advice on victims’ issues.  

·     Moreover, the Commissioner will play a crucial role in shaping outcomes by giving evidence to parliamentary committees and offering expert insight whenever necessary.  

Relationship building and partnership working 

·     The Victims’ Commissioner will play a crucial role in building wide-ranging and strategic partnerships with a diverse array of stakeholders. This includes individuals, such as victims of crime and those who represent them, and organisations including criminal justice agencies, inspectorates, service providers, third sector organisations, and other influential stakeholders including the media. By cultivating these relationships, the Commissioner will ensure a collaborative approach to shining a spotlight on the needs of victims and enhancing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. 

Scrutiny and accountability 

• ·       To keep under review how the Victims’ Code operates, the Commissioner will provide independent scrutiny on whether it delivers the service victims need as they move through the criminal justice system. The Commissioner will work closely with criminal justice stakeholders, drawing insights from data and access to senior criminal justice stakeholders to assess the Code's effectiveness. They should collaborate closely with the Ministry of Justice as it develops and implements the Victims’ Code compliance framework outlined in the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system, the victims support sector, and the victim experience  

·     The Victims’ Commissioner must possess a deep and comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system, enabling them to engage proactively in discussions of how it functions and how it can be improved to better serve victims. This expertise allows the Commissioner to be a key player in shaping policies and practices from the outset. 

·     The Commissioner should have an extensive understanding of the victim support sector and the range of issues that impact victims, including those who are not engaged with the criminal justice system. This insight should continue to be developed through direct engagement with victims of crime and anti-social behaviour, and the support sector.  

·     The Commissioner will often encounter challenging and distressing cases and it is therefore essential that they have personal resilience and can handle these situations with the utmost empathy and respect, providing a compassionate and supportive presence for those affected. 

Organisational leadership  

·     The Victims’ Commissioner will be responsible for the Office for the Victims’ Commissioner, comprised of a team of Civil Servants, leading the team to deliver the Commissioner’s strategic priorities for victims and legislative duties.  

·     This will include overseeing that the Office setup adapts, if required, to support the delivery of any changes to the Commissioner role.

Organisation description

For more information, please refer to Office of the Victims' Commissioner website: The team - Victims Commissioner

Board composition

For more information, please refer to Office of the Victims' Commissioner website: The team - Victims Commissioner

Regulation of appointment

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Demonstrating visible and robust leadership in the victims’ space, with the ability to challenge effectively where required. 
• An ability to build relationships, engage with existing criminal justice processes and influence senior stakeholders to help drive system-wide improvements for victims.
• An ability to use evidence-based analysis of a range of sources to draw out strategic issues and constructive recommendations for where change can deliver impact for victims.
• Experience of using the media effectively and appropriately to communicate messages and engage the wider public, helping support greater public confidence in the system. 
• Knowledge of the issues concerning victims of crime and the criminal justice system more widely, with the determination to deliver positive change.  
• Proven credibility to work with victims, victim support services, and senior figures across government and criminal justice agencies. 
• Strong organisational leadership to oversee their office and ensure that they deliver the Victims’ Commissioner’s statutory functions.  

Desirable criteria

·       An understanding of Parliament and legislation. 

·       An understanding of the experiences of and challenges facing victims of violence against women and girls and of knife crime, as priority areas for this government. 

Application and selection process

How to apply

In order to apply you will need to create an account or sign in.

Once you are logged into your account, click on 'apply for this role' and follow the on-screen instructions. To apply, all candidates are required to provide:

• a Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• a supporting statement to show how you meet the essential criteria for the role
• equality information
• information relating to any outside interests or reputational issues

We will ask you to check and confirm your personal details to ensure your application is accurate.

You will also have the opportunity to make a reasonable adjustment request or apply under the disability confident scheme before you submit your application.

The Advisory Assessment Panel reserves the right to only consider applications that contain all of the elements listed above, and that arrive before the published deadline for applications.

Overview of the application process

Public appointments are made on merit following a fair and open competition process which is conducted in accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments. We will deal with your application as quickly as possible and will keep you informed at key stages. We aim to conclude the appointment process within three months of the deadline for applications – this is in accordance with the Governance Code.

The assessment process

1. Ministers are responsible and accountable to Parliament for the public appointments made within their department. As a result, they must be consulted at every stage of the appointments process.

2. An Advisory Assessment Panel (“Panel”) is appointed by Ministers to assist them in their decision making. The role of the Panel is to decide, objectively, which candidates meet the eligibility criteria for the role.

3. At the shortlisting meeting the Panel will assess applications against the eligibility criteria and decide which candidates have best met the criteria, who should be recommended for interview. Ministers will then be consulted on the Panel’s recommended shortlist. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme and you meet all the essential criteria, then you will also be invited for an interview.

4. Once the shortlist has been agreed by Ministers, you will be advised (by e-mail) whether you have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted will be invited to an interview.

5. The Panel will meet again to interview candidates and determine who is appointable to the role. The Panel may invite you to make a brief presentation at the start of the interview and will go on to question you about your skills and experience, including asking specific questions to assess whether you meet the criteria set out for the post. The Panel will also explore with you any potential conflicts of interest or any other issues arising from your personal and professional history which may impact on an appointment decision.

6. Details of the panel’s assessment of interviewed candidates are provided to Ministers, including whether they have judged a candidate to be appointable to the role. It is then for Ministers to determine merit and decide who should be appointed. In some circumstances, Ministers may choose not to appoint any candidates and re-run the competition.

7. Ministers may choose to meet with candidates before deciding the outcome. Candidates should therefore be prepared for a short time gap between interview and a final appointment decision being made. Candidates who have been interviewed will be kept informed of progress.

8. Once the decision on the appointment has been made, interviewed candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application, including whom they may approach for feedback. Successful candidates will be issued with their Terms & Conditions and a letter of appointment should they agree to take up the position.

Further information about appointments, including tips on applying, can be found on our guidance pages on gov.uk.

Advisory Assessment Panel (AAP)

The Advisory Assessment Panel for this campaign will comprise: 

• Laura Weight, Interim Director of Victims, Vulnerabilities and Criminal Law Policy (Panel Chair) or Amy Randall, Director of Victims, Vulnerabilities and Criminal Law.
• HO representative (TBC)
• Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock
• An Independent Panel Member (TBC)

Advisory Assessment Panels (AAP) are chosen by ministers to assist them in their decision-making. These include a departmental official and an independent member. For competitions recruiting non-executive members of a board (apart from the Chair), the panel will usually include a representative from the public body concerned.

AAP’s perform a number of functions, including agreeing an assessment strategy with ministers, undertaking sifting, carrying out interviews in line with the advertised criteria and deciding objectively who meets the published selection criteria for the role before recommending to ministers which candidates they find appointable. It is then for the minister to decide who to appoint to the role.

Eligibility criteria

In general, you should have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to apply for a public appointment.

There are a small number of specialist roles that are not open to non-British citizens. Any nationality requirements will be specified in the vacancy details.

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. 

You cannot be considered for a public appointment if:

• you are disqualified from acting as a company director  (under the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986);

• have an unspent conviction on your criminal record;

• your estate has been sequestrated in Scotland or you enter into a debt arrangement programme under Part 1 of the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 (asp 17) as the debtor or have, under Scots law, granted a trust deed for creditors.

When you apply, you should declare if:

• you are, or have been, bankrupt or you have made an arrangement with a creditor at any point, including the dates of this. 

• you are subject to a current police investigation.

You must inform the sponsor department if, during the application process, your circumstances change in respect of any of the above points. 

When you apply you should also declare any relevant interests, highlighting any that you think may call into question your ability to properly discharge the responsibilities of the role you are applying for. You should also declare any other matters which may mean you may not be able to meet the requirements of the Code of Conduct of Board Members (see Outside interests and reputational issues section below)

If you need further advice, please contact PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk

Security clearance

The successful candidate will be required to undertake Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks in line with the Civil Service guidelines. Additional Security Clearance may also be required for certain roles. However, where this applies, candidates will be notified during the appointment process. Further information on National Security Vetting can be found on the Gov.uk website here.

Additional information for candidates

Equality and diversity

We encourage applications from talented individuals from all backgrounds and across the whole of the United Kingdom. Boards of public bodies are most effective when they reflect the diversity of views of the society they serve and this is an important part of the Government’s agenda.

We collect data about applicants’ characteristics and backgrounds, including information about people’s educational and professional backgrounds, so that we can make sure we are attracting a broad range of people to these roles and that our selection processes are fair for everyone. Without this information, it makes it difficult to see if our outreach is working, if the application process is having an unfair impact on certain groups and whether changes are making a positive difference.

When you submit your application, your responses are collected by the Cabinet Office and the government department(s) managing your application. The data is used to produce management information about the diversity of applicants. You can select “prefer not to say” to any question you do not wish to answer. The information you provide will not be seen by the Advisory Assessment Panel who review applications against the advertised criteria and conduct interviews.

Disability confident

We are a member of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme. We use the Disability Confident scheme symbol, along with other like-minded employers, to show our commitment to good practice in employing people with a disability. The scheme helps recruit and retain disabled people. As part of implementing the scheme, we guarantee an interview for anyone with a disability whose application meets the essential criteria for the role, set out in the advert, and who has asked that their application is considered under the scheme. Indicating that you wish your application to be considered under the scheme will in no way prejudice your application. By ‘essential criteria', we mean that you must provide evidence which demonstrates that you meet the level of competence required under each of the essential criteria, as set out in the job-advert. When you apply you will have the opportunity to select if you would like your application considered under this scheme.

Reasonable adjustments

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to make sure applicants with disabilities, physical or mental health conditions, or other needs are not substantially disadvantaged when applying for public appointments. This can include changing the recruitment process to enable people who wish to apply to do so.

Some examples of common changes are:

• ensuring that application forms are available in different or accessible formats;
• making adaptations to interview locations;
• allowing candidates to present their skills and experience in a different way;
• giving additional detailed information on the selection / interview process in advance to allow candidates time to prepare themselves;
• allowing support workers, for example sign language interpreters;
• making provision for support animals to attend.

When you apply you will have the opportunity to request reasonable adjustments to the application process.

Principles of public life

The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder.

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

Code of conduct for board members

The Government expects all holders of public office to work to the highest personal and professional standards. In support of this, all non-executive board members of UK public bodies must abide by the principles set out in the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. The Code sets out the standards expected from those who serve on the boards of UK public bodies and will form part of your terms and conditions of appointment.

Management of outside interests and consideration of reputational issues

Holders of public office are expected to adhere and uphold the Seven Principles of Public Life and the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies. Before you apply you should consider carefully: 

• any outside interests that you may have, such as shares you may hold in a company providing services to government; 
• any possible reputational issues arising from your past actions or public statements that you have made; 
• and/or - any political roles you hold or political campaigns you have supported; 

which may call into question your ability to do the role you are applying for.

You will need to answer relevant questions in relation to these points when making an application. Many conflicts of interest can be satisfactorily resolved and declaring a potential conflict does not prevent you from being interviewed. If you are shortlisted for an interview, the panel will discuss any potential conflicts with you during that interview, including any proposals you may have to mitigate them and record that in their advice to ministers. Alongside your own declaration, we will conduct appropriate checks, as part of which we will consider anything in the public domain related to your conduct or professional capacity. This may include searches of previous public statements and social media, blogs or any other publicly available information. The successful candidate(s) may be required to give up any conflicting interests and their other business and financial interests may be published in line with organisational policies. 

Details of declared political activity will be published when the appointment is announced, as required by the Governance Code (political activity is not a bar to appointment, but must be declared).

Status of appointment

As this is an office holder appointment, you will not become a member of the Civil Service. You will not be subject to the provisions of employment law.

Appointment and tenure of office

Appointments are for the term set out in this advert, with the possibility of re-appointment for a further term, at the discretion of Ministers.  Any re-appointment is subject to satisfactory annual appraisals of performance during the first term in the post. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment; each case should be considered on its own merits, taking into account a number of factors including, but not restricted to, the diversity of the current board and its balance of skills and experience. In most cases, the total time served in post will not exceed more than two terms or ten years in any one post. 

Remuneration, allowances and abatement

Remuneration for this role is treated as employment income and will be subject to tax and National Insurance contributions, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid.

You can claim reimbursement for reasonable travel and subsistence costs which are properly and necessarily incurred on official business, in line with the travel and subsistence policy and rates for the organisation to which you are applying. However these payments are taxable as earnings and will be subject to tax and national insurance, both of which will be deducted at source under PAYE before you are paid. 

Pension and redundancy

This is an office holder appointment and does not attract any benefits under any Civil Service Pension Scheme. You will not be eligible for redundancy pay as you are not an employee. No other arrangements have been made for compensation upon the end of your term of appointment because an office holder who is appointed for a limited duration would have no expectation of serving beyond that period.

Application feedback

We will notify you of the status of your application. We regret that we are only able to offer detailed feedback to candidates who have been unsuccessful at the interview stage.

How to complain

We aim to process all applications as quickly as possible and to treat all applicants with courtesy.

If you have a complaint about any aspect of the way your application has been handled, we would like to hear from you. In the first instance please write to or e-mail the Public Appointments Team at the address or e-mail address given below quoting the appropriate reference number:

Maggie Garrett, Co-Head of Public Appointments Team, Public Bodies Centre of Expertise, Ministry of Justice, 3rd Floor, 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU

E-mail address: PublicAppointmentsTeam@justice.gov.uk

Complaints must be received by the Public Appointments Team within 12 calendar months of the issue or the closure of the recruitment competition, whichever is the later.

We will acknowledge your complaint within two working days of receipt and reply within 20 working days of receipt. We will tell you if we cannot meet this deadline for any reason and provide an expected reply date.

How to complain to Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA)

If you are not content with the appointing department’s response you may wish to further complain to the Commissioner at publicappointments@csc.gov.uk.Further information on how the Commissioner handles complaints can be found on the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ website https://publicappointmentscommissioner.independent.gov.uk/regulating-appointments/investigating-complaints/

Data protection

The Cabinet Office will use your data in line with our privacy policy.

In accordance with the Public Appointments Order in Council 2019(4)(5), we will process your application in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Ministry of Justice’s Information Charter, which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/personal-information-charter. 

We will hold your data securely and access will be restricted to those dealing with your application or involved in the recruitment process. We will share your data with the Commissioner for Public Appointments and other relevant government departments, including the Cabinet Office, as part of a complaint investigation or review of the recruitment process. Cabinet Office will handle data in accordance with their Privacy Notice https://publicappointments.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/privacy-notice.   Your data may also be disclosed as required by law or in connection with legal proceedings. 

We will store your data for up to two years and processed for the purpose of the recruitment process, diversity monitoring and, if successful, your personal record. If appointed, your data will be stored for the duration of your tenure and may be shared with the organisation to which you are appointed, unless you specifically request us not to.  

Should you wish your data to be removed from our records, please contact publicappointmentsteam@Justice.gov.uk

Privacy Notice: Public Appointments

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is committed to the protection and security of your personal information.

It is important that you read this notice so that you are aware of how and why we are using such information. This privacy notice describes how we collect and use personal information during and after your relationship with us, in accordance with data protection law.

MoJ is the data controller for the personal data used for the purposes of making public appointments.

The type of personal data we process

We currently collect and use the following information:

• Name;
• Contact details;
• Employment history and qualifications
• Curriculum vitae and other background information relevant to your application, including sift and interview assessments made by the advisory assessment panel;
• Information you provide on interests relevant to the role you are applying for;
• Political activity;

·      Health information as required to facilitate access and participation in events (e.g. venue access and dietary requirements).

·      Due Diligence checks;

• As part of the recruitment process, for those candidates being invited to interview, the Department will undertake due diligence checks to assess their suitability for the role, including (alongside consideration of their own declaration of relevant interests) evidence of their conduct and/or professional capacity as demonstrated by information about them in the public domain.

How we get your personal data and why we have it

We receive most of your personal data through your application and declaration form.

We also gather personal information indirectly, from various sources as part of the due diligence checks. This will include, for examples:

• your public social media activity, including searches on sites such as LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook
• Searches for any relevant news stories
• The Electoral Register (http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/)  

·      Companies House (https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/)

·      The Insolvency Register website (https://www.gov.uk/search-bankruptcy-insolvency-register)   

In submitting your application you acknowledge that such due diligence will be undertaken in respect of you and that copies of search results may be saved, stored securely, and used as part of the recruitment process in line with this privacy notice. Processing of such data is necessary to protect the reputation of the Department. Candidates may be asked about their public profiles/search results, at interview. 

We process your personal data for the purposes of making public appointments in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments. More information about this work is available from the Commissioner for Public Appointments' website.

Where we need to share your personal data with others, we ensure that this data sharing complies with data protection legislation. For the purposes of this work we may need to share your personal information with:

·      The Cabinet Office

·      The Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments

Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the lawful basis we rely on for processing your personal information is:

·      Performance of a public task.

The legal bases on which the MoJ processes special categories of information you have provided, is on the basis of:

·      The substantial public interest in the Secretary of State appointing suitable candidates to the role. substantial public interest condition.

International Data Transfers

There are no international transfers

How we store your personal data

If you are successful in an application and appointed we will hold your data for three years from date appointment ends and then delete.

If you are unsuccessful in your application your data will be held for two years from end of campaign and then deleted.

Your Rights

• Your right of access - You have the right to ask us for copies of your personal information.
• Your right to rectification - You have the right to ask us to rectify personal information you think is inaccurate. You also have the right to ask us to complete information you think is incomplete.
• Your right to erasure - You have the right to ask us to erase your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Your right to restriction of processing - You have the right to ask us to restrict the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.
• Your right to object to processing - You have the right to object to the processing of your personal information in certain circumstances.

·      Your right to data portability - You have the right to ask that we transfer the personal information you gave us to another organisation, or to you, in certain circumstances.

Depending on the lawful basis on which your personal data is being processed, not all rights will apply.

You are not required to pay any charge for exercising your rights. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you If you wish to exercise your data protection rights please contact:

Disclosure Team

Post point 10.38

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

data.access@justice.gov.uk

How to complain

If you have any concerns about our use of your personal data, you can contact the MoJ data protection officer;

Data Protection Officer

Ministry of Justice

5th Floor, Post Point 5.18

102 Petty France

London

SW1H 9AJ

dpo@justice.gov.uk

You can also complain to the ICO if you are unhappy with how we have used your data.

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Helpline number: 0303 123 1113

ICO website: https://www.ico.org.uk

Contact details

If you have any questions please email publicappointmentsteam@justice.gov.uk