12844 - HM Inspector
HM INSPECTORATE OF PROBATION
HM INSPECTOR POSTS
We are offering these posts on a three-year secondment or
three-year fixed term contract. In exceptional circumstances we may also be able to offer a permanent contract. If seconded, remuneration (salary and any taxable allowances), pay progression and employment terms & conditions will be the same as currently received from the seconding employer. We seek competencies often found at broadly the level of Senior Managers/Divisional Managers (in CRCs and NPS), Youth Offending Managers, Senior Managers/Governor grades in the Prison Service, and psychologists or equivalent.
This is an opportunity to work in a highly professional organisation. As an independent inspectorate, we are ambitious to make the best possible difference to the quality of youth offending and probation services in England and Wales. It is important to the public, to victims and to those who commit crime that these services are as effective and efficient as possible.
Who are we? HM Inspectorate of Probation is an independent Inspectorate, funded by the Ministry of Justice, and reporting directly to the Secretary of State on the effectiveness of work with adults, children and young people who have offended aimed at reducing reoffending and protecting the public. Our Corporate Plan sets out our work for the next year, as agreed between the Justice Secretary & HM Chief Inspector.
View it on our website: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprobation
Who are we looking for? We are now recruiting for HM Inspectors, and we warmly welcome applications from minority ethnic and/or Welsh speaking candidates. We are looking for up to ten HM Inspectors to start in the Spring 2018. The option of part‑time or jobshare contracts can be discussed individually.
All the posts we offer will be conditional upon evidence from references and various statutory checks, including an Enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Is this for you? HM Inspectors (HMIs) play a key role in our adult and youth offending inspections. As an Inspector you will lead inspections in a designated sector [National Probation Service, Community Rehabilitation Companies, Youth Offending Teams] and be responsible for the assessment of the organisation being inspected, including making recommendations for the rating they receive.
HMIs are responsible for the planning, fieldwork and preparation of the report for each inspection and are accountable for the judgements, rating, grading and recommendations arising from the inspection.
Proven strong relationship-building skills, at a senior management level, as well as the ability to produce clear well written reports to tight deadlines are essential for this role. You will also need to have experience of assessing the quality of work being delivered to those who have offended, a good level of IT skills, and the personal resilience and stamina to spend regular periods of time away from home.
How do we select? You must complete your application by no later than 23:55 on Monday 25th September 2017. We will invite short listed candidates to an Assessment Centre to be held on 30 and 31 October 2017 – you must be available to attend on one of these days. Candidates who are successful at the assessment centre will then be invited to interview. Interviews will be held w/c 27 November and w/c 4 December 2017. Further information on the structure and expectations of our assessment process will be sent to candidates who are successful through the application sift stage.
Further information:
If you would like to discuss these posts, please contact our office on 0161 240 5336 and we will direct you to an appropriate person to speak to. We would ask that you please read the application information thoroughly first.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. We will not discriminate on grounds of gender, ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, faith or any other factor not relevant to a person's work.
Overview
HM Inspectors (HMIs) play a key role in HMI Probation’s inspections of adult and youth offending work. They lead inspections in a designated sector [NPS, CRC, YOTs] and are responsible for the assessment of the organisation being inspected, including making recommendations for the rating they receive.
HMIs are responsible for the planning, fieldwork and preparation of the report for each inspection and are accountable for the judgements, rating, grading and recommendations arising from the inspection.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead inspections in a designated sector of probation or youth offending work, taking responsibility for planning, fieldwork and the preparation of reports
- Be responsible for the assessment of organisations being inspected, including making recommendations for the rating they receive
- Be accountable for judgements, ratings, gradings and any recommendations arising from the inspection
- Lead and facilitate meetings with senior managers and staff from probation and youth sectors, as well as staff from partnership organisations.
- Analyse and interpret data to make judgements and facilitate the writing of high quality reports
- Lead and contribute to discussions about inspection findings with colleagues in the MoJ, HMPPS, YJB and other relevant organisations
- Contribute to HMI Probation’s work on policy areas, based on inspection findings
- Act as deputy lead, support or duty inspector as required
- Undertake assessments of front-line practice, providing feedback to individual case managers/ responsible officers about their work
- Undertake work on joint inspection programmes, working collaboratively with colleagues from other Inspectorates
- Recognise and promote diversity issues in all aspects of work
- Undertake other work as allocated by HM Chief Inspector
Person Specification
Civil Service Competency Framework
Setting Direction – Changing and Improving
Taking initiative, being responsive and seeking out opportunities to create effective change. Being open to change and improvement, and working in smarter, more focused ways
Setting Direction – Making Effective Decisions
Using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert and professional decisions and advice. Being careful about the use of and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care
Engaging People – Leading and Communicating
Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Champion difference and support principles of fairness of opportunity for all. Establish a strong direction and persuasive future vision, managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful and candid way
Engaging People – Collaborating and Partnering
Working collaboratively, sharing information appropriately and building supportive, trusting and professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. Having the confidence to challenge assumptions
Delivering Results – Managing a Quality Service
Valuing and modelling professional excellence and expertise to deliver service objectives, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Plan, organise and manage time and activities to deliver a high quality, secure, reliable and efficient service. Applying programme, project and risk management approaches to support service delivery
Delivering Results – Delivering At Pace
Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way
Skills and Abilities
Proven strong relationship-building skills, at a senior management level
Essential
Ability to produce clear well written reports to tight deadlines
Essential
Personal resilience and stamina to spend considerable time away from home, including lone working
Essential
Good level of IT skills
Essential
Knowledge and Experience
Experience of assessing the quality of work being delivered to those who have offended
Essential
Relevant probation or youth justice qualification
Desirable
Experience of analysing and interpreting data
Desirable
Good general understanding of the criminal justice system
Desirable
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 salary sacrifice arrangements for childcare vouchers, and voluntary benefits such as retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- 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.
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.
25/09/2017, 23:55 hours.
Closing Date: 25 September 2017 at 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@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference.
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.
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.
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.