35295 - Policy Advisor - Prison Performance, Arm’s Length Bodies Sponsorship and Intelligence Division

£30,989 - £47,591 (Salary will depend on Location)
1
12 Months
London
Leeds , London
102 PETTY FRANCE (MOJ) LONDON, SW1H 9AJ, 5 WELLINGTON PLACE LEEDS, LS1 4AP
SEO
B
Permanent
Full Time, Flexible Working
Policy

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

MoJ Band B Prison Performance Policy Manager, Arm’s Length Bodies Sponsorship and Intelligence Team, Prison Policy Directorate

Location: London or Leeds, with the option to work remotely for part of the week.

Posts offered on full-time, part-time or job-share basis

Number of posts: 1

About the post

This role offers an exciting opportunity to support the Directorate on the Prison Performance Framework and to facilitate the development of outcome-based performance measures to help raise performance standards in prisons.

We want to appoint a high calibre and self-motivated Band B who is able to help take forward work to develop and implement a Performance Framework. The ideal candidate will be able to think strategically across a range of issues to improve performance translating business outcomes into acceptable performance objectives a time of change and reform.

You will need to work in close collaboration with a wide range of colleagues across MoJ and HMPPS in order to support strategic and operational performance.

Directorate Overview

Prison Policy Directorate sits in the Policy, Communications and Analysis Group as part of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The directorate leads on prison policy and covers a number of work areas including prison safety and security, workforce, operational policy, Foreign National Offenders, long-term estates strategy and the sponsorship of the independent scrutiny bodies who monitor and inspect prisons and probation services.

The Arm’s Length Bodies Performance, Sponsorship and Intelligence Team is responsible for determining the prison and probation system works effectively to deliver better outcomes for offenders. We do this by agreeing performance expectations and through managing the relationship with 6 Arm’s Length Bodies – HM Inspectorate of Prisons, HM Inspectorate of Probation, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, the Independent Monitoring Boards, the Lay Observers and the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody. The team sponsors the bodies (funding, partnering/championing them across MoJ and beyond and holding them to account), provides intelligence from their reports to help inform policy development, drive improvements and leads on legislative changes to promote better governance. The advertised role sits in this team.

The Arm’s Length Bodies

MoJ is the major funder of these scrutiny bodies to a total of circa £20 million each year. They operate independently of Government and some are part of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism, under the United Nations Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture, OPCAT.

They report to the Secretary of State on how well prisons and probation have met the standards and requirements placed on them and what impact these have on those in its custody or under community supervision.

Our Team

The work of our team has three complementary parts:

Performance and Intelligence – Ministers want performance data and inspections to be a tool for change, helping to drive and inform better policy making and performance improvement for prisons and probation. Our role is to analyse data, trends and patterns from performance data to ensure we have the right measures in place, and provide intelligence from scrutiny bodies to MoJ and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) for operational improvement and policy development. We work closely with private offices, leading on ministerial engagement and ministerial parliamentary handling of ALB reports; we also manage the process office for the HMI Prisons Urgent Notification process, where the Chief Inspector alerts the Secretary of State where there are urgent and significant concerns about a prison and the Secretary of State has 28 days in which to publicly respond with an action plan.

Sponsorship – we provide funding of circa £18 million and our work here includes ensuring value for money, resourcing, assurance and promoting engagement with policy developers. This is a time of reform for our ALBs including new national appointments, changes to their governance and the introduction of new inspection methodologies. We pride ourselves on providing a high-quality service including advice and briefings to Ministers and senior officials across MoJ and government.

New methodologies and legislation – we work with the scrutiny bodies and across the department on developing new methodologies for inspections, investigations and monitoring establishments. For example, recently with HM Inspectorate of prisons, we tested and introduced a new process where the inspectorate carries out follow-up visits to assess progress made in implementing key concerns and recommendations in approximately 15-20 prisons a year. We are also responsible for strengthening the scrutiny bodies through legislation, when Parliamentary time allows.

Ministerial Council on Deaths in Custody - The Council brings together Ministers, senior officials, experts and practitioners in the field. This extended, cross-sector approach to deaths in custody allows for better learning and sharing of lessons across custodial agencies. The shared purpose of the Ministerial Council is to bring about a continuing and sustained reduction in the number and rate of deaths in all forms of state custody in England and Wales. The main parts of the Ministerial Council are the Ministerial Board on Deaths in Custody (MBDC) and Independent Advisory Panel (IAP).

Main Activities / Responsibilities

Key duties are to:

  • Provide support on developing and implementing a Performance Framework that uses intelligence and insights to inform the development and improvement of prison policies
  • Work collaboratively and in partnership with key stakeholders (e.g. HMPPS, Finance, MoJ Planning & Performance, Data & Analytical Services and others) to support operational improvement and outcomes in prisons;
  • Provide support to facilitate the development of outcome-based performance measures to ensure coherence and alignment of the measures to meet departmental commitments, for example as set out in the White Paper, as part of Spending Review or cross-Government agreements;
  • Develop and maintain influential and effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders within Government relevant to the policy area, including those across MoJ and HMPPS, to encourage collaborative sharing of intelligence and working practices;
  • Help to provide the highest quality advice to ministers to help shape and define the overall direction of travel in the policy area;
  • Draft clear and concise briefings, in response to PQs and correspondence, to meet deadlines; ensuring that they meet the end-users’ need and to standard;
  • Support the wider virtual team to deliver to high quality outcomes and products;
  • Contribute to the culture and staff experience across the Division and/or Directorate, and depending on the corporate contribution, the wider department.

Candidate requirements

In your application, you will need to demonstrate how you meet the following Civil Service behaviours:

Seeing the bigger picture

  • We want someone with the ability to bring together views and perspectives of a range of partners and stakeholders to gain a wider picture of the landscape surrounding the policy area and an understanding of how their role supports MoJ wider HMG objectives.

Making effective decisions

  • We are looking for candidates who are able to confidently use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. They should be able to carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

Communicating and influencing

  • We want someone to lead cross-departmental teams from the front and take opportunities to communicate priorities with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and other departmental priorities.

Delivering at pace

  • We want someone that is able to take responsibility for the delegated work areas to deliver the expected outcomes on time and to a high standard; to be able to plan ahead as well as reprioritise at short notice.

At interview, as well as assessing the above behaviours, we will also ask questions to understand your strengths.

If a high number of applications are received we will sift application forms on the ‘seeing the bigger picture’ behaviour.

You can find out more about behaviours and strengths by looking at the Civil Service Success Profiles guidance at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

Applications

If you would like further information about the roles, please contact: Amelia.Johnson-Manley@justice.gov.uk

The successful candidates are expected to be able to take up posts as soon as possible, and, if joining from another Civil Service post, agreement with his/her current line management. The posts are available on promotion as well as level transfer.

For those candidates who successfully meet the job criteria but are not assigned to the initial posts, a merit/reserve list will be kept open for 12 months.

Selection Process: application form, CV and interview

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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

Generous allowances for paid holiday starting at 25 days per year, and rising as your service increases. 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.

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 any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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.

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

1-      To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);

2-      To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);

3-      To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.

There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Grading Structure Review

The Ministry of Justice is currently undergoing a review of posts which are currently graded at Band A to realign our grading structure with the majority of the wider Civil Service.

Posts advertised at Band A may be graded at either Grade 6 or Grade 7 once the review has taken place.  

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business or will be held in either London or Leeds and are expected to take place from 27th July.

10/07/2020, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference - 35295.

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.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Seeing the Big Picture.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

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

Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.

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.