12992 - Head of Security Risk Unit (formerly Operational Risk Resilience and Assurance Unit)

The Security, Order and Counter Terrorism directorate (SOCT) exists to support HMPPS in its mission to prevent victims by changing lives. We do this by creating the conditions for a firm, stable and secure base on which decent regimes, relationships and rehabilitation can be built. 

SOCT is currently formed of two groups of staff, the Operational Security Group and the National Security Group. The directorate has bases across the country making us a truly national organisation having a significant impact on the prison and probation system across England and Wales. 

The objective of SOCT is to support the operational field to recognise, understand and manage threats to operational and national security, prison order and safety, and to support our partners in upholding the rule of law. In so doing this Directorate contributes to the aims of HMPPS by providing a sound and secure base for a rehabilitative culture that helps change lives.

To be effective we must operate in the context of a cross-Government alliance for security, safety and law-enforcement. To do so we will understand the drivers for our partners and stakeholders, build relationships and alliances in the common interest, establish our credibility and earn the right to be taken seriously as a trusted partner. As a new directorate that has been finding its feet during 2016-17 we must now establish SOCT as a centre of excellence in all the areas we cover, and develop a cross-government reputation and operational practice to solidify our value across the prison estate and beyond.

Overview of the job

• This senior management role will be responsible for the implementation of a new Agency‐wide Unit. The Operational Risk, Resilience and Assurance Unit’s objectives are to; ensure HMPPS is managing its security risks effectively; identify new and emerging security risks; prioritise and plan responses to those risks; and provide the organisation with a ‘library’ of knowledge for security best practice . Strong risk management, risk resilience and risk assurance will support HMPPS in better assessing security risks and the Agency’s tolerance to risk.
• The Head of the new Unit will be the most senior operational security risk expert in HMPPS, providing leadership and vision, enabling a professionalised culture of risk which ensures the Unit meets operational requirements, as well as being sensitive to Ministerial priorities.
• The post holder will play a key role in ‘promoting the Unit’s service and will need to build credibility rapidly with both internal and external stakeholders at senior levels. This includes working with the operational line, MoJ Prison reform team, intelligence units, national operations unit, audit, planning and analysis functions, as well as other Government departments.
• This job holder will report to the Head of Operational Security Group who in turn reports to the Director of Security, Order and Counter Terrorism.
• The post holder has direct line management responsibility for 3 Team Leaders, and wider oversight of a Unit consisting of approximately 20 members of staff.
• This is a national post, regular attendance to meetings in London and across the HMPPS estate will be required. Occasional travel to establishments, prisons, regional offices and National Probation Service Division offices as well as law enforcement partners’ offices will be required.
• The post requires a strong understanding and significant experience of prison and/or probation operations at a senior level.            

Summary

• This is a rare opportunity to be accountable for the detailed design, implementation and management of a new risk function within HMPPS to ensure the Agency is robustly managing strategic operational security risks, successfully identifying and prioritising new risks, and developing a learning environment by acquiring sharing and applying best practice across the Agency.
• The role will provide strategic and delivery direction for the new Unit, including setting up risk management and resilience systems and procedures, and a high quality assurance framework. The role will also be responsible for creating a system by which to monitor the impact of the deliverables from the Unit.
• The job holder will hold overall accountability for providing operational security risk leadership at the local and national level, ensuring that this transformational Unit is implemented, delivered and embedded into business as usual.
• The post holder will require strong communication skills to engage with a wide range of consumers of the new Unit at all levels within HMPPS, with law enforcement partners, the Security Services and with Ministers.

• The job holder will be accountable to the Deputy Director of Operational Security and Risk Group and will be expected to advise senior leaders in HMPPS and MoJ on the Agency’s management and tolerance to risk. They will also act as the head of profession for embedding a culture of security risk assurance, providing risk leadership, advice and guidance to the security community. This might include providing constructive challenge to the Agency.

• The post holder must act with the highest levels of personal and professional integrity and champion these qualities in others. Will be subject to DV standards, with a further STRAP accreditation.

Operational experience is essential. The post holder will also be added to the rota to undertake duties as a senior coordinator in Gold Command.

Responsibilities,Activities & Duties

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

Leadership and Management of Unit Design & Service Development:

• Be accountable for ensuring that the detailed design, development and implementation of the new delivery model meets its commitment to effectively manage security risks, increase resilience to future risks and provide assurance HMPPS has embedded risk best practice.
• Understanding of policy drivers in HMPPS, across government and globally to foresee security issues and to be proactive and drive the HMPPS agenda in the area of the directorate of Security, the Order and Control within prisons. Having in depth understanding of security threats, risks, Extremism, Counter Terrorism and Radicalisation theory both inside and outside of HMPPS.
• Continuously review, enhance and embed the framework for managing operational risks across HMPPS, ensuring that processes are fit for purpose.
• Determine the strategic direction and vision of the Unit, work plan and deliverables, as well as shape the roles and responsibilities of the staff.
• Be accountable for the delivery of an evidence based evaluation mechanism to ensure the Unit is meeting operational requirements and evolving to remain effective in meeting future operating environments.  
• Hold overall accountability for the quality of the work being undertaken by the Unit.

Business management:

• Personal accountability for decisions, and to decide on what needs escalation operationally or politically both within HMPPS and to MoJ (Ministers) and to other government departments.
• This role requires an exceptionally high level of strategic thinking, to identify and act upon the highest level of security threats within the organisation, whilst at the same time ensuring that a future proof strategy is in place based on the risks of tomorrow.
• The unit under the leadership of this postholder will ensure HMPPS becomes a learning organisation by acquiring, sharing and applying corporate security knowledge.
• Develop and manage the appropriate governance structures to ensure accountability of the Unit.
• Be accountable for the delivery of the Unit’s agreed outcomes on time and to budget, as well as responsible for the mitigation of risks and issues that escalate from the relevant work streams.  
• Be accountable for communicating with and updating on the outputs of the Unit to the Unit’s Steering Board, Prison Security Board, Director of SOCT, MoJ Ministers and.
• Be accountable for ensuring that submissions, Parliamentary Questions and other key documents relating to the Unit are responded to on time and to a high standard.
• Be accountable for a substantial budget in excess of £250k for national level procurement activities.

Promotion of Unit:

• Act as Head of profession to the security personnel across prisons and probation, as well as a champion the development of a professionalised and evidence based security risk culture. This might include challenging the status quo and accepted assumptions about security risk at all levels of HMPPS.
• Develop a security risk function which quickly delivers a credible service to the operational line, subject expert leads and planning and analysis functions internally, as well as law enforcement partners externally.
• Hold overall accountability for promoting the work of the Unit across HMPPS and with external stakeholders and partners.

Internal and External Stakeholder Management & Leadership:

• Be accountable for forming and maintaining effective working relationships internal to HMPPS and externally.  
• Strong communication (written and verbal) required to influence and direct the work of stakeholders that impacts on the Unit’s delivery of objectives.
• Effectively manage relationships with the operational line, MoJ Prison reform, intelligence units, national operations unit, audit, and planning and analysis functions.
• On behalf of Unit, hold responsibility for managing the strategic relationship with Cabinet Office, Home Office and law enforcement.

People management:

• Direct line management of 4 Team Leaders (Head of Risk Management, Head of Risk Resilience, Head of Risk Assurance and Head of Business Continuity), overseeing a combined Unit total of approximately 20 staff.
• Will oversee a geographically dispersed team.
• Provide leadership and direction to all staff, including coaching and mentoring managers.
• Be responsible for the performance and development of the Senior Management Team (SMT). They will need to actively address underperformance whilst valuing the positive contributions of staff.
• Engage with other senior leaders in HMPPS in order to drive through major changes to established methods of working.
• Be accountable for the promotion of HMPPS values in all activities and behaviours by promoting diversity, decency, safety and reducing reoffending agendas.
• Be accountable for ensuring key messages are delivered to all staff through the appropriate levels of communication - e.g. full staff briefings, presentations, staff notices, etc., ensuring that all staff located in different geographical regions are kept informed at all times.

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:

Setting Direction: Seeing the Big Picture; Changing & Improving; Making Effective Decisions

Delivering Results: Managing a Quality Service

Engaging People: Leading and communicating; Collaborating and Partnering; Building

Capability for All

Essential Skills Qualifications,accreditation & Registration  

• The post holder will require of significant managerial experience of managing prisons and/or probation with the knowledge of security functions and associated risks.
• Evidenced ability to develop and manage a risk management service across a complex organisation, including the ability to design new risk products suitable to a specific operational context.
• Experience of leading teams, inspiring and developing people to deliver their best. Commitment to continued professional development, both on a personal level and for security risk professionals.
• Experience of project and/ or programme management techniques and management of major programmes or projects.
• Experience of influencing senior stakeholders internally, including Ministers, and senior stakeholders in other Government Departments.
• Strong communication (written and verbal), leadership and partnership working skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to drive resolution.

Operational experience is essential.

Closing Date: 16th October 2017 at 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@sscl.gse.gov.uk. Please quote the job reference.