Thank you for your interest in a role at the MOPAC. We are excited to hear about your experiences.  

 
Join us to make London a safer city for everyone. 

London’s VRU is focused on stopping violence before it happens through an approach that is rooted in prevention and early intervention.

We are tasked with focussing on a strengths-based and health & wellbeing approach to reducing violence across the capital, increasing feelings of safety for all Londoners especially children, and ensuring that communities and young Londoners are at the heart of sustainable and long-term change. We also have a Young Persons Advisory Group who guide our activity & play an active role in our governance.

We are looking for an experienced Head of Communities and Young People to lead a team of programme managers & community engagement leads, working with children & communities to identify what builds resilience, wellbeing & safety and translate that into strategic direction working across partners from young people, parents, youth workers, child protection specialists, police & professionals & directors from government & the voluntary sector.

You will have demonstrable experience in the following areas:

• Ability to galvanise rapid action across a broad programme, with demonstrable experience of developing new policies and delivering programmes across communities and young people portfolios.
• Proven expertise in handling crisis/challenges real time within a public sector and political environment.
• Exceptional ability to, and experience of, communicating, building relationships, influencing and negotiating with prospective providers, stakeholders and partners, across both statutory and voluntary community sector
• Committed to quality outcomes and value for money for commissioned and operational services, ensuring that the youth voice and engagement with communities are embedded within this.
• Experience of managing high performing and multi-disciplinary teams to deliver outcomes and maintain service delivery.

Application Process

Candidates must submit their CV and employment history and must answer (using around 1,500 characters per answer) the supplementary questions which are:

1. Describe your leadership experience of developing policy, programmes or services that have improved outcomes for young people and communities. How did you ensure your approach was informed by evidence and stakeholder engagement?
2. Describe a time when you built and maintained effective strategic partnerships across multiple organisations to achieve a shared objective. What challenges did you encounter, and how did you secure commitment and results?
3. Please tell us about a time where you have had to manage a team in a fast-paced and reactive environment. How have you supported a high performing diverse team?
4. Tell us about a situation where you had to deliver a major programme or organisational priority at pace. How did you maintain quality, manage risks and achieve results?

Want to find out what it’s like to work with MOPAC and the VRU?

You can also find out more about the VRU itself by visiting our website.

Please ensure you read the Candidate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document attached to the vacancy as it contains key information regarding the recruitment process.

If you have a question about the role or the recruitment process, please contact a member of the HR team via email on [email protected].

Selection Process

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview on Friday 27 November.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme, you must email [email protected] with the subject "MOPAC Application *JOB TITLE* DCS" and state your name within the email body. All candidates must type DCS in the relevant box within the application form to confirm their understanding of what is required (regardless of if they are applying under the scheme or not).

Applying for the Role

Please ensure you read the Candidate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document attached to the vacancy as it contains key information regarding the recruitment process, security vetting clearance requirements, sponsorship, office location and attendance and others.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance submitting your application, please email [email protected].

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Please see information within main advert.

Security Vetting Clearance 

The successful candidates will be expected to undergo the necessary security checks. Applicants must possess the legal right to work in the UK and have resided in the UK continuously for at least the last three years. 

Reward and Benefits 

For employment roles, in addition to an excellent salary and civil service pension with 28.97% employer contribution, we offer an attractive range of benefits including 32.5 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan and flexible working arrangements.

Where are we based

Staff work at an office location for at least 40% of their working hours, which may differ depending on the role requirements.  We are planning to move to a new office location 5-minute walk from our current office at Union Street. This will be towards the end of 2026.

We are a disability-confident employer. MOPAC guarantees an interview to any applicant that declares that they have a disability, providing they meet the minimum standards for the job role. These standards are defined in the job description and will often be listed as essential or desirable skills.

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. 

Benefits

• Flexible Working
• Civil Service Pension Scheme
• Corporate Benefits