70170 - Probation Implementation Lead - Counter Corruption Unit

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Please note this is a national campaign for 5 Regional roles. There is one position available per SOCT Region. Your base location will be at a SOCT region within this geographical area. We will ask your preference for region prior to your interview. The regions are as follows:

North East and Yorkshire

North West and West Midlands

East and East Midlands

London and South East

South West and Wales

Overview of the job    

HMPPS’s efforts to tackle corruption are integral to delivering safe and secure prisons and probation. HMPPS has worked with MoJ to identify that a new approach is needed to ensure we remain resilient to this key operational threat.

HMPPS’ strategy for tackling corruption is based on four key objectives:

•    ‘Protect’ against corruption by building an open and resilient organisation;
•    ‘Prevent’ people from engaging in corruption, strengthen professional integrity;
•    ‘Pursue’ and punish those who are corrupt; and
•    ‘Prepare’ for corruption, reducing its impacts on our teams.

These objectives will need to be delivered at every level through prisons and probation, in particular, strengthening our resilience on the front line.

This role sits in the Counter-Corruption Unit (CCU), part of the Corruption, Crime and Policing Unit within the Directorate of Security. Its objectives are to support prisons and probation to manage corruption threats, in particular supporting establishments to prevent corruption within HMPPS.

The post holder is responsible for the engagement and implementation of the Counter Corruption Policy Framework within the Probation Service.

This is a non-operational role, although knowledge and experience of the working environment of Probation is desirable.

Summary    

This is one of 5 regional posts that sit within the Counter Corruption Unit, part of the Corruption, Crime and Policing Unit within the Directorate of Security.

The specific objectives of the post(s) are to coordinate and lead on the continued development and implementation of the existing HMPPS Counter Corruption Framework strategies and operational practices to cover:

•    All Probation Service staff directly line managed by HMPPS since June 2021.
•    All Non-Directly Employed Probation staff working in prisons both public and contracted (volunteers, sessional workers, agency and contracted staff), with particular reference to the impact of the competition for works and facilities prison services and delivery of rehabilitation services.
•    All Non-Directly Employed staff working for Probation Service in the community in any location other than a prison.
•    To work with HMPPS Contract Managers to consider how those subcontracted to deliver rehabilitation services, provide assurance to HMPPS that robust and transparent systems are in place to identify, investigate and manage corruption allegations.

The job holder(s) will report to the Head of Performance and Strategy within the Counter Corruption Unit. The location of this post is within each DoS region and will involve travel, overnight stays and attendance at meetings in London. The role covers the England and Wales HM Prison and Probation services estate.
 
    The job holder will work very closely with the Key Threat Manager within the Counter Corruption Unit, who leads on the development of the unit’s strategies for tackling the emerging threat of corruption within HMPPS.

There is no line management responsibility, but the role holder will be expected to ‘project manage’ a range of workstreams and owners and act on behalf of Probation Delivery Units to support them in case managing corruption risk within the region. These include policy leads, operational counter corruption practitioners, stakeholders in law enforcement and other agencies (LEA). The post holders will need to develop and manage effective relationships with staff and managers of all grades (operational and non-operational) in a challenging, developing and at times controversial subject area.

The job holder(s) do not need to be operational, but the objectives of this post are on an operationally focussed operating model for the management of staff corruption with the Probation Service.

Operational experience of probation services, structures and staff management is essential. Knowledge of professional standards and Code of Conduct investigations, and LEA interaction and information sharing is advantageous.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties    

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

•    The job holder(s) will engage with regional colleagues on the continued implementation of the overarching strategy to fully integrate Probation Service staff and all NDE colleagues (both in prisons and in the community) into the HMPPS Counter Corruption Framework.
•    The job holder(s) will have responsibility for acting as Deputy Local Counter Corruption Manager within each of their Probation regions, supporting the Local Counter Corruption Manager to effectively manage the corruption risk within the region and completing relevant actions as directed by case management processes.
•    The job holder(s) will provide subject matter expertise to regional corruption Pursue and Prevent teams in understanding the operational context and culture within Probation.
•    The job holder(s) will have responsibility for providing advice and support to the development of interagency working across multiple stakeholders in both the public and private (contracted) sectors, including supporting the development of the HMPPS Strategic Assessment.
•    They will engage with regional colleagues on the assessment of the nature and extent of the threat of staff corruption across Probation for their region of responsibility.
•    The job holder(s) will undertake continued review and assessment of current organisational cultures amongst Probation staff groups in relation to counter corruption, to identify barriers to integration and to design and implement solutions to ensure corruption is continuously viewed as a serious crime across all HMPPS delivery functions.
•    The job holder(s) will consider best practice methods to consult and monitor staff perceptions (staff focus groups, surveys, academic learning, staff engagement survey data etc.).
•    The job holder(s) will carry out review and design of improvements for the reporting of corruption affecting Probation staff groups. The key aim to improve levels of staff reporting taking into account pre-existing HR and intelligence operating models for the confidential management of corruption allegations - including providing subject matter expertise for Clue, the new online corruption reporting tool for Probation staff.
•    The job holder(s) will build on the engagement, and exploration, of improvements to relationships and information sharing with Law Enforcement Agencies (police, National Crime Agency, Government Agency Intelligence Network etc.) which will inform the HMPPS/ACPO Memorandum of Understanding in relation to staff corruption within their probation region.
•    The job holder(s) will contribute to a review and development, with the Key Threat and Prevent teams a series of consistent corruption prevention communications and awareness packages for Probation staff.
•    The job holder(s) will assist with the development and management of a corruption training strategy, taking into account existing arrangements across Probation staff groups relating to counter corruption within their region.
•    The job holders(s) will establish a network of Single Points of Contact (SPoC) within the region with a wide range of service providers to ensure counter corruption forms part of the business as usual activity for each organisation and providing the capability for the secure management of staff corruption allegations.

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.

Behaviours    

•    Communicating and Influencing
•    Changing and Improving
•    Managing a Quality Service
•    Developing Self and Others
•    Delivering at Pace.

Essential Experience    

•    Candidates should role model impeccable professionalism and integrity, and have a track record of handling sensitive situations appropriately.
•    A sound knowledge of the operational context of probation as well as strong communication, leadership and partnership working skills are essential for this role.

Technical Requirements    

•    Expertise on corruption, security and HR policy and legal frameworks is desirable.

Ability    

•    Strong communication (written and verbal), leadership and multiple stakeholder and partnership working.
•    Evidence of leading the delivery of complex business change.