26373 - Key Threat Manager

Whilst the advert is generic the post holder could in theory be asked to work on any threat, this one will for the foreseeable be in post to tackle internally concealed contraband. In particular; ensuring the safe and effective use of body x-ray scanners by prisons, assisting in procuring, managing a contract for the supply and maintenance of such machines, liaising with prisons’ Radiation Protection Supervisors and HMPPS’ Radiation Protection Adviser, Health and Safety leads (national, regional and local), and Security colleagues (national, regional and local).

Overview of the job      

This role sits within Security Group and is responsible for the delivery of programmes of activity to address key strategic threats to operational security and stability in prisons. Activity can be specific to one, more or all threats. The threats are currently drugs, mobile phones, staff corruption, and intelligence.

It is HQ based but requires some travelling due to the wide geographical spread of pilot projects and establishment visits, connected with the Key Threats.

The post has no direct line management responsibility but may be required to oversee the work of other Key Threat Managers, other Security Group colleagues and potentially operational staff seconded in for specific projects.

The post holder does not need to be operational however the business objectives of the post are focused on supporting the operational frontline. The post therefore requires strong understanding of the operational world, both custodial, policing and more broadly.

Summary            

The post holder is responsible for the maintenance, improvement and introduction across some or all prisons of a range of measures to address key strategic prison security threats.

Threats are identified through intelligence, by the operational line and/or are Ministerial priorities. At present, the measures fall under four broad strands of work

• improve NOMS intelligence processes and policy;
• reduce the availability of drugs in prisons;
• reduce the availability of mobile phones in prisons; and
• prevent and tackle staff corruption

In relation to one or more threats, the post holder is responsible for the delivery of all:

• Government and NOMS strategy;
• stakeholder management (internal and external; public and private sectors);
• operational policy;
• advice to prisons;
• contract management;
• briefing (parliamentary questions (PQs), Freedom of Information requests (FOIs), Minister’s Cases (MCs), Treat Official correspondence (TOs), submissions);
• procurement; and
• the Agency’s interface with parliament, ministers, Whitehall and senior officials.

In addition to responsibility for the standalone measures to address the threats, the post holder is also responsible for working across the Agency and government to ensure the threats are suitably addressed in other policies that may impact them but on which the post holder does not lead. Examples of such policies, in light of the current threats, are:

• searching;
• detection dogs;
• adjudications;
• visits;
• prisoner communications;
• prisoner property;
• law enforcement agencies; and
• the government drugs, alcohol, rehabilitation of offenders and organised crime strategies.

As the intelligence picture develops and/or operational and Ministerial priorities shift, the focus of the post holder’s efforts may need to change. The post holder must be flexible such that their focus can be redirected to whichever threats are the greatest at a given time. Potential future threats include gangs, organised crime and/or Rule 39 abuse.

The post has no direct line management responsibility but may be required to oversee the work of other Key Threat Managers, other Security Group colleagues and potentially operational staff seconded in for specific projects. It reports to the Head of Key Threats.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties 

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

Operational policy

• In relation to one or more threats, responsible for maintaining, updating and introducing operational policy to assist prisons addressing the threat(s), typically by way of PSIs. Ensuring that policies and infrastructures are aligned with operational need.

Operational Advice to prisons

• In relation to one or more threats, responsible for regular operational policy, support and good practice advice given to prisons to protect the integrity of existing security infrastructure and enable delivery of key security initiatives
• Advice can be given in person, via email/letter, over the telephone or by sending global communications on current issues.
• In relation to one or more key threats, assume the role of the national policy expert.

Good Practice

• Responsible for ensuring good practice in relation to one or more threats is recorded and shared with prisons appropriately.

Trials/projects

• In relation to one or more threats, responsible for delivering trials of new operational approaches to the threat(s). Examples include new mobile phone denial or drugs detection technology and the drug free wings pilots. Including issuing guidance and advice to prisons as to their operation, working with stakeholders across NOMS, the third sector, private sector providers, CAST, OGDs, often to remove barriers to progress. Supporting local project managers for these projects and evaluating their success.

Technology/Science

• Responsible for responding to technology providers looking to trial products in prisons and/or sell to prisons. Involves close working with CAST, the NOMS Science Advisor, law enforcement colleagues and the providers to ensure technology deployed across prisons is effective and is used safely.
• With science advisors and procurement colleagues, responsible for investigating new technologies, particularly those that are portable/can be flexibly deployed.
• Support the management of the NOMS Service Level Agreement with the Home Office Centre for Applied Science & Technology (CAST). Working closely with the NOMS Science Advisor.

Legislation/law/legal advice/litigation

• Responsible for ensuring the legal risks associated with one or more threats, and the policies in place to manage them, are properly understood and appropriately addressed, advising senior managers on the way forward.
• Where necessary, responsible for the passage of primary or secondary legislation to equip prisons with new/refined powers to tackle one or more threats.
• In relation to one or more all threats, respond to litigation from prisoners of members of the public in relation to any of the areas above, including instructing MoJ lawyers, Treasury Solicitor and/or counsel. Ensure HQ assists in the management of judicial reviews, litigation, at Inquests, and other high profile investigations including where necessary drafting witness statements or contributions to others.

Training courses

• Responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of training curriculum in relation to one or more key threats.

Contract management/procurement

• Manage contracts relating to one or more threats as required. Some of these are complex and valuable such as the MDT contract (£1.8m pa).
• Monitoring prisons’ spend under various contracts.
• Responsible for the procurement of replacement contracts as they expire and also for new equipment/service to be provided by the private sector – drafting specifications, evaluating bids, supporting procurement colleagues, working with other government colleagues.

Stakeholder Management

• The point of contact for other government department (OGD) colleagues for one or more threats, working closely with them. All of the threats are areas of significant Ministerial and government interest, particularly the Home Office Drug Strategy Unit, RIPA Policy Team and Strategic Centre for Organised Crime, the Department of Health’s Offender Health Unit and the Cabinet Office/No. 10.
• In relation to one or more threats, liaise with a range of stakeholders, internal and external, private and public sector, and manage working relationships with them in relation any of the areas above. Includes Ofcom, statutory commissioners, HMCIP, OGDs, Mobile Network Operators, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and CAST.

Briefings

• In relation to one or more threats, submit briefings, submissions, PQs, Tos, MCs and FOIs in relation to any of the key threats, including the collection, collation and calculation of relevant data.

Other duties

• As required, represent line manager and on occasion the Head of Group at meetings and briefings.

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 

Setting Direction:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing & Improving

Delivering Results:

• Delivering at Pace

Engaging People:

• Building Capability for All

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

If you have any questions about the role please contact Matt Bullard: Matt.Bullard@noms.gsi.gov.uk