67039 - Head of Branston Operations
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.
ABOUT US
Excellent Information and records management is knowing what information you have across an organisation and having the right information available at the right time by those who need it. Being good at this is vital for any organisation as information plays an integral role in delivering day to day business, underpins policy and operational delivery, ensures legal obligations are met and safeguards the corporate record for use by civil servants in the future and the need for transparency with the public.
Branston Operations, encompassing the offender subject access request (SAR) and records management teams, are based in the Information Services Division, within the Ministry of Justice ‘s (MoJ’s) Security & Information Group.
Our purpose is that we will disclose the right information, to the right people, at the right time, by responding to offender SARs and records retrieval.
The team is responsible for processing approximately 5,500 SARs per annum and manage circa 2 million records. The work is high profile, with tight legislative timelines to meet.
We aim to put users at the centre and strive to continually improve our systems and processes in response to feedback. We are moving forward with a programme of transformation to ensure that we deliver a high-quality service, to the appropriate standard and to the appropriate timescales, whilst supporting staff wellbeing and development. This is an ambitious programme of change over the coming years and the role is critical in shaping its success.
The team works collaboratively with His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) as our key partners in delivery and stakeholder engagement.
You will be joining the Knowledge and Information Management profession at a very exciting time as this transformation is underway in MoJ and across government.
HEAD OF OPERATIONS ROLE
We are looking to fill an interesting and stretching role in our operational delivery team within the Security and Information group in MoJ. This is an opportunity to be part of a delivery team which is undergoing transformation of its services.
Responsibilities:
Operational Management - Embedding strong operational management within your team – scoping, managing/ tracking deliverables, managing risks and resources effectively, and ensuring that accountable decision making is well managed through effective governance. Sets out clear processes and standards for delivery, ensuring delivery of timely, high-quality outcomes. Ensures adherence to legal, regulatory and security requirements across area. Motivate and effectively performance manage staff to ensure delivery of overall targets and business plan.
Contracting and Delivery – contract and work with delivery partners to establish effective outcomes, with the ultimate aim of improving service delivery.
Transformation - The ability to think of, research and apply new ideas and ways of doing things. Encourages and supports innovations from others, is willing to experiment and follow ideas through to implementation. Identifying, highlighting and actioning further opportunities for services and process improvements. The continuous identification and implementation of operational best practice through interaction with the wider team.
Team Leadership - Act as the champion for the team, taking ultimate authority and personal accountability for effective delivery across all workstreams. Provide clear leadership and strategic direction to the team and senior managers. The ability to plan, lead and effect positive cultural change, securing commitment and buy-in and promoting a positive long-term vision. To have a well-defined Communication and Engagement model in place to ensure all teams understand the performance of the business and that you understand the needs of your teams
Knowledge management - Identify, share and promote best practices and lessons learned to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports continuous improvement to optimise delivery. Lead on litigation for the unit and ensure that lessons are learnt from stakeholder and customer feedback. Responsible for the development of the operational talent pool by optimising the skills of the existing team and attracting the very best external talent. Succession planning will be in place to ensure key roles are filled and individual talent is recognised.
Stakeholder engagement - Systematically identify, analyse and communicate with stakeholders, using appropriate channels, to ensure unit outputs (including guidance) and other communications are high quality. This is a dynamic, high-profile role that requires the post holder to have excellent communication skills, analytical skills and attention to detail enabling them to provide succinct submissions and verbal briefings to senior managers in the Department. There is also a need for clear and courteous communications with our external customers and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and to take forward litigation cases.
Any other duties, as required by business need, commensurate with grade.
Person specification and essential criteria
• Extremely strong operational leadership and management experience is essential to be a success in this role
• Creates and presents a compelling vision and set clear direction, that motivates others to work towards a common goal.
• Promotes the wider public good in all actions and leads by example, encompassing the Civil Service Code of Conduct and MoJ values in everything they do. Challenges unacceptable behaviour.
• Engages, motivates and coaches others. Acts as a role model and inspire and empower others.
• Creates an open and honest culture and actively promotes personal development of their team.
• Adapts to changing circumstances and adverse situations whilst remaining calm, reassuring others and maintaining performance.
• Ensures everyone clearly understands and owns their roles, responsibilities and business priorities, and is supported to do their job.
• Ability to demonstrate achievement of results e.g. business improvements, cost savings, performance management
• Excellent leadership, people management, communication and influencing skills at a senior level
• Ability to translate business strategy into day-to-day delivery
• Budget experience
• Setting and reviewing quality performance standards
• Ability to build, maintain, manage and influence key stakeholders
• We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience of data protection, or candidates who are willing to learn this area of work and have a keen interest in it.
Desirable Experience and Skills
• We are keen to meet inclusive leaders who are experienced in supporting teams to be flexible, responsive and effective even when under pressure.
Behaviours
• Leadership
• Managing a quality service
• Seeing the bigger picture
• Making effective decisions
• Changing and improving
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
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.
29/11/2022, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
· 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
This Vacancy is closed to applications.