44651 - Head of Research, Data and Thematic Inspection

£66,325 - £83,600
1
12 Months
London
London
10 SOUTH COLONNADE LONDON, E14 4PU
Grade 6
Grade 6(b)
Loan , Permanent , Secondment
Permanent or up to 2 Years (Loan/Secondment)
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

About the Role

The Head of Research, Data and Thematic Inspection will have a significant influence on the overall direction of HMI Prisons and its reputation with its stakeholders and the general public. They will develop and lead a Research and Data Strategy, which delivers the vision of transforming the way the inspectorate uses thematic reporting and data to focus on ways that the performance of prisons can be improved.

This role will be accountable for the robust collection, collation and interpretation of data and research from a range of sources. As an expert in their field, the Head of Research, Data and Thematic Inspection will champion best practice and be viewed as the leading voice in the management and use of research and data. They will play a key role in driving change and improvement both across the organisation and externally across the prison system. They will be accountable for the provision of clear and accountable guidance and making sure all research is conducted to the highest professional and ethical standards.

This role is open to:

•    Existing Government Operational Research Service (GORS), Government Statistician Group (GSG) and Government Social Research Service (GSR) members either on level transfer or on promotion. You must be a member of a profession to be eligible to apply.
•    Other candidates who would like to join GORS/GSG/GSR through the interview process must meet the minimum criteria for each profession. (For more details, please access the links included in the essential knowledge, experience and skills section below).

The Head of Research, Data and Thematics will be an experienced leader with the ability to coach, support and lead a team of 11 staff. They must have the confidence and expertise to represent the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector on matters relating to research and data, be influential among senior stakeholders and be comfortable with making presentations to internal and external audiences

The Head of Research, Data and Thematic Inspection is a member of HMI Prisons’ senior leadership team accountable for delivery of the Inspectorate's strategic priorities and business plan objectives in their area of responsibility. They must be a self-starter, with the ability to work autonomously on all stages of the research process including managing research design, delivery, write-up, dissemination and evaluation.

This is a fantastic role for a Grade 7 on promotion or current Grade 6 officer seeking to develop their leadership, organisational and change management skills. While the role is office- based, there are also frequent opportunities to visit prisons and other establishments and to support the inspection process, including through direct engagement with those detained in custody.

Responsibilities

The Head of Research, Data and Thematic Inspection has the following responsibilities:

Corporate

•    Setting and delivering the research and data programme for the organisation including the design and delivery of a Research and Data Strategy informed by good practice.

•    Making sure that HMI Prisons adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards in relation to the design, delivery and dissemination of research projects and findings.

•    Member of HMI Prisons’ leadership team taking responsibility for delivery of the Inspectorate's strategic priorities and business plan objectives in relation to research, data and thematic inspection.

•    Responsible for project managing and quality assuring the Inspectorate's annual report.

•    Manage the provision of information and analysis to feed into the annual report, business plan, Ministerial and stakeholder briefings, policy consultations, presentations and speeches etc.

•    Maintain oversight of the collection, collation and analysis of feedback from inspected bodies and other stakeholders to continually improve our inspection approach.

Delivery

•    Maintain oversight of the development and maintenance of various key systems for holding information related to inspections (including recommendations made in published reports and Healthy prison assessments)

•    Lead the production of the annual inspection programme, identifying the resource required based on establishment size and complexity, other risk assessments, chronology and the inspector resource available. Maintaining oversight of ongoing monitoring systems to provide background information for inspection staff and inform the development of the annual inspection programme.

•    Maintain oversight of the development and delivery of research support to the Inspectorate’s programme of inspections and thematic reviews including methodologies for gathering the views of detainees and staff.

•    Lead the planning, management and delivery of the inspectorate's programme of thematic reviews.

•    Lead the negotiation, planning and delivery of joint thematics and projects with the other criminal justice inspectorates, including contributing to joint strategic and business planning.

•    Responsibility for overseeing research and data projects being led by the Research, Data and Thematic Inspection Team (RDT) and also independently planning and managing their own portfolio of high level and complex projects as required.

Support to the Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector

•    Provide advice to HM Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector on matters relating to research, data and thematic inspection, taking into account the strategic context, balancing competing priorities, and identifying risks.

•    Lead on high priority issues on behalf of HM Chief Inspector and Deputy Chief Inspector, working with Team Leaders and other senior managers within the Inspectorate to identify effective resolution.

Stakeholders

•    Manage key stakeholder relationships, including with the Ministry of Justice, Home Office, other criminal justice inspectorates and academics.

•    Support the Chief Inspector in meetings with Ministers and Senior Officials as required.

•    Represent the Inspectorate externally as required

•    Membership of relevant external research and data forums to maintain awareness of good practice in these areas to deliver professional leadership by modelling and promoting excellence in social research and the use of data.

Team leadership

•    Provide inspirational and motivational leadership to the Research, Data and Thematic Inspection team (currently 11 people). Ensure all staff are supported and developed through objective setting, regular 1-2-1 meetings, team meetings and appropriate professional development opportunities.

•    Directly line manage 2 Band B officers and counter-sign for 5 Band C, 2 Band D and 2 Band E officers.

•    Ensure appropriate workforce planning within the Research Data and Thematic Inspection team. Maintain oversight of all aspects of the team’s work to ensure delivery to agreed standards and timelines.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

Essential:

•    Existing GORS/GSG/GSR members or eligibility to apply for membership. For further information on the eligibility requirements please access the relevant link below:
1)    GORS - https://tinyurl.com/y9q3akcg.
2)    GSG – Eligibility here (If applicants are not yet GSG members, they will need to complete the GSG online test at application stage).
3)    GSR - Eligibility here.

•    Significant management experience, including direct line management responsibilities.

•    Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing with experience of building relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.

•    Excellent inter-personal skills sufficient to deal with authority and tact across a wide range of individuals, including detainees, junior staff and senior internal and external stakeholders.

•    Proven track record of delivery, demonstrating an analytical approach to making judgements and decisions.

•    Experience in constructing, drafting or contributing to policy, business plans and any project business cases demonstrating good analytical skills and numerical competence.

•    Demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new/complex concepts and assimilate information quickly.

•    Flexible, and comfortable in managing conflicting priorities and ambiguous contexts.

•    Resilient and able to deal with conflict and the requirement to produce work under pressure.

•    Demonstrable commitment to the Inspectorate’s values and purpose.

Desirable:

•    Experience of working in the criminal justice system or with individuals directly affected by it.

Success Profiles

You will be tested against the Success Profiles used across the Civil Service at application and/or at interview stage.

Essential behaviours:

Leadership - Inspire and motivate teams to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their role. Seek out shared interests beyond own area of responsibility, understanding the extent of the impact actions have on the organisation.

Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Changing and Improving - Make changes which add value and clearly articulate how changes will benefit the business.

Professional Competencies

Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

•    GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques
•    GSG - Data Analysis
•    GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills

For more information regarding Professional Competency (1) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MOJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MOJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

•    GORS - Achieving impact with analysis
•    GSG - Presenting and disseminating data effectively
•    GSR - Using and promoting social research

For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MoJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MoJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

•    Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:

GORS Competencies
•    Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide can be found within the link below:
GSS Competency Framework
•    Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:
GSR Competency Framework

Professional memberships
One of the below:
1) Government Operational Research Service (GORS)
2) Government Statistician Group (GSG)
3) Government Social Research Service (GSR)

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

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.

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.  

Expected w/c 16th August (subject to change)
Expected w/c 19th July (subject to change)

24/06/2021, 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 - 44651.
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)
Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.

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.

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
Leadership - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Experience
CV
Technical Skills
Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

• GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques
• GSG - Data Analysis
• GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills

For more information regarding Professional Competency (1) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MOJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MOJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:
GORS Competencies
• Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide can be found within the link below:
GSS Competency Framework
• Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:
GSR Competency Framework - 250 word limit
Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

• GORS - Achieving impact with analysis
• GSG - Presenting and disseminating data effectively
• GSR - Using and promoting social research

For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MoJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MoJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:
GORS Competencies
• Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide can be found within the link below:
GSS Competency Framework
• Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:
GSR Competency Framework - 250 word limit

Interview stage assessments

There are 2 interview stages for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Technical Skills
Professional Competency (1) Knowledge & Skills

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

• GORS - Knowledge and application of OR Skills and Techniques
• GSG - Data Analysis
• GSR - Knowledge and application of GSR technical skills

For more information regarding Professional Competency (1) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MOJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MOJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:
GORS Competencies
• Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide can be found within the link below:
GSS Competency Framework
• Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:
GSR Competency Framework
Professional Competency (2) Influence & Impact

Please provide a written example demonstrating the following competency from your profession at G6 level:

• GORS - Achieving impact with analysis
• GSG - Presenting and disseminating data effectively
• GSR - Using and promoting social research

For more information regarding Professional Competency (2) please refer to the analytical profession links below. Please note that some aspect of the professional competency may overlap with the MoJ competencies listed above. We therefore recommend that in providing written evidence for the professional competency, candidates focus on the technical and methodology aspects of the competencies that are specific to the profession. We will use evidence presented for the MoJ competencies in assessing the wider skills candidates have.

Please only complete one of the above competencies which is applicable to your profession at G6 level.

• Government Operational Research Service (GORS): Further information can be found within the link below:
GORS Competencies
• Government Statistician Group (GSG): Further information, including a user guide can be found within the link below:
GSS Competency Framework
• Government Social Research Service (GSR): Further information can be found within the link below:
GSR Competency Framework
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

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.