44874 - JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist
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Overview of the job
The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) is jointly run by HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Home Office, Office of Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and is the strategic centre for all counter-terrorism work in HMPPS. It has oversight of delivery across the end-to-end offender management process, including probation. The unit drives closer working with strategic policy and law enforcement partners, with HMPPS retaining its responsibility for operational management decisions, and Home Office for counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policy across government.
The unit encompasses the entire policy making process, from strategy to operational delivery and consists of a mix of policy officials and operational staff across England and Wales.
JEXU is currently introducing, reviewing and developing a number of counter- terrorism policies, the design and implementation of which will require leadership, specialist knowledge and understanding of extremism and terrorism. The post holder will manage a small team dedicated to developing and delivering counter- terrorism policy. They will be managed by the Policy and Projects Team lead who will support the post holder to present developments to JEXU Senior Management Team and the post holder will have regular sessions with the Head of JEXU.
Summary
The post holder will focus on developing JEXU policies and reviewing and evaluating existing policy. Working closely with multiple stakeholders across government and academia is essential. Core stakeholders include Whitehall departments, Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), police, Charity Commission, Ofcom, local authorities and community leaders.
The post holder will manage their team to conduct research, analysis and evaluation of policy areas which include; strengthening vetting of staff, reviewing engagement with external groups and charities and continuing to develop interventions to lead offenders away from extremism in prisons.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- The post requires expertise in Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK.
- To lead in the creation, development and analysis of policy designed to identify and counter terrorism and extremism in prisons and probation.
- To commission and oversee quality research and analysis within JEXU and work closely with relevant departments across government to ensure a consistent approach to counter-terrorism.
- To deliver a project management approach to policy areas.
- To act as a point of expertise on Islamist extremist individuals, groups and ideologies in the UK; including briefing a wide range of audiences across governments and partners on the outcome of research.
- Developing a system to ensure JEXU is kept up-to-date with relevant think- tank and academic research and analysis in the subject area.
- To deliver excellent line management and leadership duties.
- An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post 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 post holder.
Behaviours
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Experience
Essential understanding of Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK, including knowledge and understanding of the following:
- Government Counter Extremism Strategy and Prevent Strategy
- Extremist networks and groups currently active in the UK
- Key Islamist and Right Wing Terrorism narratives, and how they are used in a modern UK context by various groups/individuals
- The history of how UK-based jihadist and political Islamist networks developed from 1980s to today
Proven experience of:
- Employment in counter-extremism and/or counter terrorism work
- A project management approach to policy delivery
- Conducting and editing research, analysis and/or policy papers
- Delivering excellent writing, research and data analysis skills
We would also like to know details of any published quality work on the subject (e.g. research papers, books, op-eds), any media appearances or any other achievements that may be relevant to the role.
The successful candidate will need to go through SC clearance.
Ability
- Fluent Arabic reading/speaking is desirable.
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.
25/06/2021, 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance or have any questions about this role, please email Colette.Wright@justice.gov.uk
Please quote the job reference - 44874.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
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.