About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

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: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Associate Product Manager

Location: National*

Closing Date: 11th February 2024

Interviews: w/c 19th February 2024

Grade: SEO

(MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain this grade on lateral transfer)

Salary: London: £45,824 - £50,039 (which may include an allowance of up to £2,251)

  National: £39,868 - £43,535 (which may include an allowance of up to £2,057)

Working pattern: Full-time/Part-time/Flexible

Contract Type: Permanent

Vacancy number: 83886

*We offer a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance between remote work and time spent in your local office. Office locations can be found HERE

The Role

We’re recruiting for an Associate Product Manager here at Justice Digital, to be part of our warm and collaborative Office of the Public Guardian digital team. We work closely with the organisation and so there will need to be regular visits to the Birmingham and Nottingham offices for this role.

Associate product managers manage subsets, features or components of a product. They report to a more senior product manager. They are learning basic product management techniques. This can be an entry level role for civil servants who may be looking to progress to product manager or those on emerging talent schemes.

You will also be an active part of the broader product management community, receiving coaching and mentoring from your senior colleagues and taking part in informal support networks with your peers.

As an Associate Product Manager you will work with other delivery agencies within the justice system, central government departments, and the wider public sector to transform public services.

Associate Product Managers at OPG Digital work on exciting products in support of the Power of Attorney and Supervision services which help people to stay in control of decisions about their health and finances, or make important decisions for others who cannot decide for themselves. It is an opportunity to work with committed and talented user researchers, developers, designers, analysts, agile, and content specialists who share a vision for making better government through smarter use of technology.

Our product management profession is described on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/communities/product-and-service-community.

To help picture your life at MoJ Justice Digital please take a look at our blog and our Digital and Technology strategy 2025

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the overall vision for a product by leading development of one or more of its key features

• Work closely with a more senior Product Manager to ensure they are supporting the overall goal of the product

• Represent users throughout the delivery process and use their feedback to inform continuous improvement.

• Assess and release value early and often and ensure the highest priority features are being delivered at any given time by the team

If this feels like an exciting challenge, something you are enthusiastic about, and want to join our team please read on and apply!

Person Specification

Essential

• Product Ownership - Awareness of tools, terms and concepts needed to deliver a product. Understands how to define the minimum viable product and make decisions about priorities. Capable of working with a range of specialists in multidisciplinary teams.

• Strategic Ownership - Understands how the strategies and activities of the team create value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact your work area, change priorities accordingly and gain buy-in from the team.

• Problem Ownership - Understand and identify problems, analyse and help to identify appropriate solutions, consulting specialists where required. Determine the appropriate remedies, assist with implementation and measure effectiveness.

• User Focus - Understands users and can identify who they are and what their needs are based on evidence. Able to use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes. Puts users first and can manage competing priorities.

• Agility - Is aware of and understands agile methodology and how to apply the agile mindset to all aspects of their work. Has the ability to work in a fast paced, evolving environment and understands how iterative method and flexible approach enables rapid delivery.

• Working Within Constraints - Understand the value of technical, policy, legislative, regulatory and operational constraints, and find the best solution for users to meet intent.

Willingness to be assessed against  the requirements for BPSS clearance

We welcome the unique contribution diverse applicants bring and do not discriminate on the basis of culture, ethnicity, race, nationality or national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability status, sexual orientation, educational or social background or any other factor.

Our values are Purpose, Humanity Openness and Together. Find out more here about how we celebrate diversity and an inclusive culture in our workplace.

Person specification

Please refer to attached Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,868, Ministry of Justice contributes £10,804 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to Apply

Candidates must submit CV and Personal Statement (max 500 words) which describes how you meet the requirements set out in the Person Specification above.

In Justice Digital, we recruit using a combination of the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability and Success Profiles Frameworks. We will assess your Experience, Technical Skills and the following Behaviours during the assessment process:

• Communication and Influencing

• Making Effective Decisions

• Changing and Improving

• Seeing the Bigger Picture

Your application will be reviewed against the Person Specification above by a diverse panel.

Successful candidates who meet the required standard will then be invited to a 1-hour panel interview, including a task, held via video conference.

Should we receive a high volume of applications, a pre-sift based on User Focus will be conducted prior to the sift.

Should you be unsuccessful in the role that you have applied for, but demonstrated the capability for a role at a lower level, we reserve the right to discuss this opportunity with you and potentially offer you the position without the need for a further application.

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.

Terms & Conditions

Please review our Terms & Conditions which set out the way we recruit and provide further information related to the role and salary arrangements.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact recruitment@digital.justice.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.