20458 - Senior Occupational Psychologist (National)


Company:	Ministry of Justice
Salary:	£42,914 - £53,081
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	National, NP10 8FZ
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 3 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	29 Jul 2026
Closing date:	19 Aug 2026

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Summary

Purpose

Support the Principal Occupational Psychologists and Head of Occupational Psychology Centre of Expertise in providing a pro-active and advisory/consultancy service to clients that meets business needs, is compliant with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles and Occupational Psychology professional standards, and enables clients to attract the best talent in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Contribute to the development and delivery of psychological research and consultancy to MOJ People Function’s operational and tactical resourcing activities.

Provide advice covering all aspects of occupational psychology related to recruitment, selection and assessment across MOJ Group.

Responsibilities

· Line management of team members, including facilitation and supervision of their professional development. This may include being a QOP2 supervisor and/or line management of higher psychologists. Conduct problem analysis and determine all the client requirements and issues to be addressed. Liaise directly with clients, keeping them informed in a timely manner.

· Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of employee selection procedures, including psychometric tests, assessment centre exercises and structured interviews.

· Apply professional judgement and expertise in selecting robust, cost-effective and relevant psychological tools and techniques to meet client needs

· Provide up-to-date impartial, relevant and evidence-based advice to clients on the psychological and behavioural implications of their plans/practices.

· Provide theoretically-founded or evidence-based advice and guidance to clients on how psychological interventions can support their requirements.

· Liaise closely with the wider Resourcing, Selection and Onboarding team, as well as other relevant stakeholders, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet client needs and deliver projects to required timescales.

· Oversee the design and application of psychological interventions, research and evaluation within their area of expertise.

· Design and deliver comprehensive training packages to train assessors, interviewers and role players

· Carry out complex statistical analysis and interrogation of data to quality assure assessment outcomes to ensure they are consistent, reliable, valid, free from adverse impact and legally defensible.

· Support wider MoJ People Function to provide Occupational Psychology guidance and/or research as required.

Required Experience

Leading end-to-end projects within the consultancy cycle.

Working with clients to diagnose issues and suggest strategies for change.

Designing and evaluating a wide range of assessment solutions, including interviews, assessment centre exercises, and online assessments.

Conducting job analysis and competency framework/Success Profile design.

Conducting behavioural assessments and interviews.

Using psychometric tools and ability tests for recruitment.

Designing and delivering training courses.

Using data and evidence to inform decision making.

Behaviours

Seeing the Big Picture

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Communicating and Influencing

Other Abilities

High level of verbal and written communication ability

Technical

Behaviours: Ambassador

Professional Skill: Consultancy

Professional Skill: Research & Evaluation

These technical behaviours and skills are listed in the Government Occupational Psychology Skills & Standards at Senior Psychologist level (p14 – 23).

Technical/Qualification Requirements

British Psychological Society Qualification in Occupational Psychology Stage 2 or have completed Part 1 and Part 2 of a professional doctorate in occupational psychology, which confers Chartered Member with the BPS (see Memberships) and Full Member of the Division of Occupational Psychology (see Memberships) and Registered Occupational Psychologist with the HCPC (see Licences).

If you are within 6 months of successfully completing either of these qualifications, please discuss this with us.*

Test User: Occupational, Ability (or Level A equivalent)

Test User: Occupational, Personality (or Level B equivalent)

Good understanding of recruitment legislation and Occupational Psychology Best Practice and its potential impact on assessment delivery and design

Good knowledge of statistics and competent in using statistical analysis e.g. using SPSS

*If you are within 6 months* of successfully completing either qualification listed at Qualifications (which directly links to memberships and licences at *), please discuss your eligibility to apply with the vacancy holder who will seek advice from the Head of the Government Occupational Psychology Profession.

For the QOPS2 ‘within 6 months’ is broadly defined as being within 6 months of your final submission date on the QOPS2 OR you have passed your final submission and are waiting for your viva to take place. Please note, once in role the Ministry of Justice will not cover the costs incurred for you to complete the QOPS2. For a professional doctorate ‘within 6 months’ is broadly defined as: having submitted your final thesis and are waiting for your viva to take place. Please note, once in role, the Ministry of Justice will not cover the costs incurred for you to complete the professional doctorate.

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