41513 - Quality & Effective Practice Officer (National Operations & Assurance Team)

£27,697 - £35,324 (Salary will depend on location)
6
12 Months
National
National
NATIONAL
HEO
Band 5
Permanent
Full Time, Flexible Working
Other

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

The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) was created in 2017 to strengthen the Government’s response to managing terrorist risk in prisons and probation. As the strategic centre for all counter-terrorism (CT) work in Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), JEXU provides vital coordination and leadership in this complex system as well as having responsibility for a high-performing network of operational CT specialist staff and capabilities with a local to national footprint.

The National Operations & Assurance Team (NOAT) was created in 2019, to provide assurance across prisons and the community. The Assurance side of NOAT delivers operational delivery assurance and business risk management which feeds into senior operational briefings and development and delivery of a significantly enhanced assurance framework to ensure a robust and well-established approach of assurance and delivery risk management.  The Operations side of the team oversees and coordinates the application of specialist controls, such as tactical management and communications control and is responsible for the mainstreaming of specialist programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Assurance Team within the National Operations & Assurance Team (NOAT) which is a growing team.  You will have input into the development and delivery of a new assurance framework covering the end to end delivery and business risk management of specialist counter-terrorism work, in HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS).  You will use information and data to advise operational decision making, as well as assuring upwards to seniors and Ministers.  You will work with a range of people, across a variety of functions and agencies in a fast-paced environment.

NOAT is a diverse team combining a range of skills and operational experience. We are keen to attract candidates from a range of backgrounds that collectively provide the Assurance Team with sector specific experience as well as skills surrounding risk management and assurance; including skills and experience in the use of data analysis to inform report writing and briefings.

Overview of the job

As a member of the National Operational Assurance Team the Quality and Effective Practice Officer will be responsible for delivering a programme of activities which supports individual/team development and organisational effectiveness within the national counter terrorism network.

Post holder will work within the Assurance team in the Joint Extremism Unit, part of the Security Order and Counter Terrorism directorate.

Summary

The Quality and Effective Practice Officer contributes to the delivery of programmes which improve the performance and quality of operational practice across the organisation. This will therefore include:

  • Developing effective working relationships with colleagues across the CT network in Prison and Probation to identify and improve effective practice.
  • Keeping up to date with developments in effective practice of extremism management.
  • Responsibility for delivery aligned to national priorities and co-ordinating activities to meet those priorities.
  • The post holder reports to either Probation Assurance Lead or Prison Assurance Lead.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Work within the National Operations Assurance Team, to develop effective practice nationally within the Counter Terrorism network.
  • Consult with operational colleagues across the NPS and HMPPS to develop effective practice nationally.
  • Contribute to embedding organisational effectiveness and delivery in line with SOCT strategy and contractual commitments.
  • Promulgate guidance for delivery of effective practices across the service.
  • Understand the changing nature of effective practice in light of relevant research and support a programme of continuous improvement.
  • Contribute to the organisation’s response to external inspections and audits.
  • Support the Assurance Leads in the Co-ordination of internal quality assurance activities.
  • Contribute innovative ideas and approaches within their designated area of responsibility.
  • Support implementation of change in practices including working with other divisions e.g. training and development.
  • Contribute to Programme Performance.
  • Develop and recognise effective performance.
  • Contribute to team and organisation’s understanding of its stakeholders and customers.
  • Contribution to Managing Projects and will contribute to a programme of complimentary projects.
  • Contribute to a culture and systems that promote equality and value diversity.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alternations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours

  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing

Ability

  • Ability to collate and analyse information, write clear reports and communicate effectively.
  • Ability to feedback constructively including the delivery of difficult messages.

Experience

  • Proven track record as a competent and high performing member of probation or prison operational staff promoting best practice in service delivery (desirable but not essential).
  • A thorough understanding of offender management and its implementation in practice.
  • A broad understanding of best practice in prison and/or probation work and a commitment to quality and service development.
  • Evidence of pc literacy and the ability to use information systems/data effectively.
  • Willingness and ability to develop and promote new ideas and approaches to service delivery.
  • Experience of implementing change.
  • Experience of stakeholder engagement.
  • Experience and knowledge of managing extremism is desirable but not essential.

Technical

  • NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience).
  • IT Skills; Microsoft: Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or equivalent i.e. Lotus Notes)

Post subject to SC Level Vetting

National post, remote working with some travel to London and other sites required

Working Arrangements & Further Information

Some of MoJ’s, including HMPPS, 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.

Standard working hours for this post are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

-HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

-HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provide a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which HMPPS considers to be racist

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.

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.

TBC
N/A

10/03/2021, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference 41513.

For further information on this post please contact:

Kate Turner, Head of Assurance: katie.turner@justice.gov.uk or 07889414808

Security Clearance (SC)

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.

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
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Working Together - 250 word limit
Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Statement of Suitability - 500 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Changing and Improving

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.