27236 - Senior Policy Manager in the Probation Reform Programme
The Probation Reform Programme is undertaking a significant and challenging programme of work to help stabilise and improve delivery of probation services, and design and plan for future arrangements. This is a great opportunity to work on one of the most high profile and important priorities for the Ministry of Justice, which is subject to significant Ministerial, and cross-Government interest, and will have a real impact on how we improve outcomes for offenders, victims, and the wider public. The Probation Reform Programme combines policy, operational, commercial, financial, analytical, legal and programme teams, providing the opportunity to play a vital role at the heart of a fast-moving and complex programme environment.
These Senior Policy Manager roles will be responsible for helping to provide a clear strategic direction for the programme, providing high quality briefing to Ministers and senior officials on a range of issues, including advice on key strategic design choices, as well as on Parliamentary handling and scrutiny, and working across the different programme functions to co-ordinate delivery of service design activity. The post holders will need to work effectively across the programme and wider Department to effectively plan and prioritise work, identify dependencies and actively resolve ambiguities in a complex delivery landscape.
The post holders will be responsible for:
- Providing high quality advice and briefing to Ministers and senior officials on all areas of the Programme, including in response to scrutiny from external bodies such as the Justice Select Committee and NAO, as well as overseeing response to PQs and the Programme’s input into wider Departmental strategies.
- Developing the Programme position on key policy and design issues, including drafting and presenting papers for Programme and wider Agency and Departmental Governance arrangements.
- Overseeing the co-ordination of service design work, ensuring that service design is progressed in a holistic way, key issues/dependencies identified and resolved, and that work is developed and decisions made according to the overall programme timetable.
- Developing and maintaining governance arrangements that support service design decisions and reporting on progress through wider programme governance structures.
- Leading on the development and production of a Target Operating Model and other key programme products, ensuring that it presents a coherent framework for future probation services.A Loan/Secondment arrangement for applicants from Government departments is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment
This is an HQ role with an expectation that the successful candidate will be required to work in London for three days a week.
Overview of the job
The job holder provides strategic leadership and is responsible for planning and managing the work of the policy unit
Summary
The job holder will be a member of Senior Management Team within the Group, focusing on developing and advising on policy and improving organisational performance across a range of issues, as well as leading on briefing for the whole group.
Responsible for agreeing operational policy priorities with Ministers and senior NOMS officials, ensuring delivery of agreed outputs and business plan targets and develop strategic relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders at a CEO and Director level.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- Ensure that all policies are safe, legal, decent and affordable, remain compliant with relevant legislation and are sensitive to the needs of the operational line.
- Responsible for the delivery of well researched, quality assured and timely policies that support identified business need.
- Draft replies to more complex ministerial submissions, ministers’ cases, PQs, IMB and HMIP recommendations.
- Work closely with strategic policy holders within the MoJ and other Government Departments and their Agencies to deliver Ministerial ambition through operational policies.
- Build strong working relationships with Ministers’ Private Offices, senior officials, external non-departmental public body stakeholders and third sector partners
- Accountable for writing and implementing policy strategy that is appropriately tailored and conforms NOMS business plan and wider organizational objectives.
- Developing and implementing a relevant business plan that addresses how NOMS can meets its responsibilities in advancing; including the staffing and budgetary resource required and delivery costs.
- Setting up projects, with appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
- Oversee and approve draft business cases and impact assessments arising from policy development / modification. Ensure requirements for any central monitoring arrangements have been discussed with relevant stakeholders and have been set up and are fit for purpose.
- Quality assure and approve all advice to Ministers and senior NOMS officials related to policies
- Oversee projects within team, ensuring appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
- Develop and manage projects relationship with key external stakeholders/policy holders at senior level to ensure value for money
- Represent NOMS in responses and defence to legal challenges brought by prisoners / staff or other external factors in relation to the full range of policies. Brief Treasury Solicitors and Counsel on policy and law underpinning decisions, and, where necessary, brief Ministers on the implications of possible outcomes. Where necessary, consider remedial policy action and obtain buy-in from Ministers and senior officials
- Interpret relevant performance data and research evidence to develop explanations for disproportionality in outcomes - and other examples of unfairness - for offenders of different protected groups;
- Accountable for the delivery of well researched, quality assured and timely responses
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 alterations 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.
Competencies
For the purpose of selection the following competencies will be measured:
- Changing and Improving
- Seeing the big picture
- Leading and Communicating
- Collaborating and Partnering
- Managing a quality service
- Persuading and influencing
Essential Skills, Qualifications, Accreditation & Registration
Excellent briefing skills;
Excellent communication skills;
Excellent analytical skills
The role requires relevant experience in the management, review and development of policy at a national level.
Operational experience of prison issues is not required but would be helpful.
Excellent inter-personal and presentational skills, diplomatic experience or proven track record in engaging with foreign governments is essential.
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.
01/07/2019, 23:55 hours.
Candidate Information
You may be required to provide statements describing your skills and experience relevant to each of the selection criteria. We recommend that you structure any examples as Situation, Task, Action and Result. For more information about the recruitment process and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.
Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ
In the event of a large number of applications, we reserve the right to undertake the following processes:
- An automated online test where a benchmark must be passed to progress;
- A sift on the lead selection criteria. If this happens, the lead criteria will be the first one listed in the advert.
During the selection process, you may be asked to undertake an additional assessment (such as written test). If this is applicable you will be notified of this when you are invited to interview.
Effectiveness in this area means listening to each other, using reason and cooperation to reach agreement. We must all seeks to understand others’ perspectives whilst following through on agreements. Those who work in establishments must take time to understand the prisoners’ point of view and encourage prisoners to understand own / establishment’s perspective. At a senior level it is about promoting a culture of open interaction and effective consultation across all levels of the organisation. It is about influencing and involving the right people necessary to get things done.
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.