90648 - Delivery Lead, Prisoner Education Service Programme
Please note that this role is against a generic job description. Please refer to the below overview for specific details around the role and responsibilities.
Background
This post sits within the Rehabilitation Directorate. Rehabilitation is a core pillar of HMPPS’ purpose and function and is critical to protecting the public and reducing reoffending, enabling safer communities
This post is part of Prisoner Education Service (PES) Programme, part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio delivering the next generation of prisoner education services. This is a complex and high-profile program
that has the objective of establishing a prison education, skills and work (ESW) offer that addresses the individual needs of offenders using a tailored plan developed from entry into prison. The Programme will deliver a transformed and high-quality learning and development offer that equips prisoners with the skills and qualifications they need to prepare for employment, further education or training on release, with a particular focus on improving numeracy, literacy and employability.
The immediate focus of this role will be to mobilise the new Careers Service contracts, with the role shifting focus to other procurements in Spring 2025. Postholders would be required to support the mobilisation of these services across over 100 adult prisons, working with Commercial and Contract Management colleagues in HQ as well as Governors and ESW leads in prisons.
The role will provide the post holder with experience of supporting prisons through a complex period of change.
Applicants should be aware that the PES programme will close in December 2025. After this date those working on the programme will be supported to find other opportunities in HMPPS.
Summary
You will be part of a team working at pace to mobilise new contracts, with an initial focus on the Careers Information Advice and Guidance (CIAG) Service mobilisation. You will support the implementation of new education services across the prison estate, working with a range of stakeholders to deliver a smooth transition, ensuring the service is ready for Day 1 of the new contract.
You will lead stakeholder engagement with internal staff (across multiple internal departments and prisons) and external suppliers across multiple prisons, and therefore need to be a confident communicator, with proven experience of managing complex stakeholder relationships across a range of locations and professional backgrounds.
You will be delivering a complex programme of priority work across multiple locations, to tight timelines, and you will therefore need to demonstrate your experience of delivering at pace to achieve outcomes whilst managing conflicting priorities.
The role will also involve tracking internal and external stakeholder progress against agreed plans, identifying and escalating risks to delivery, and providing subject matter expertise to stakeholders. You will be comfortable working in a project environment, delivering to programme timescales and proactively resolving issues that may impact the mobilisation of services. nhb
The PES Programme’s broad scope necessitates flexibility in postholders to respond to emerging challenges during mobilisation. There may therefore be requirement to support the wider programme and undertake ad hoc task
Please note that some travel may be required as part of this role, including visits to prisons as required.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to undertake the following duties and responsibilities:
- Support Leads to deliver mobilisation across multiple services, setting up and/or delivering projects.
- Creating and/or reviewing content for key documents as required to deliver mobilisation activity. This includes appropriate governance arrangements, identifying risks and mitigating action.
- Producing high quality briefings for senior officials and wider stakeholders on the progress of mobilisation activity, such as submissions and board papers, showing excellent oral and written communication skills whilst working under pressure to tight deadlines.
- Reporting on progress to Senior Colleagues and the Senior Responsible Owner via Governance channels.
- Support Leads to identify and resolve emerging operational issues on the implementation of new services, working with relevant stakeholders such as Commercial, Contract Management and Operational teams, to agree positions.
- Be a subject matter expert in the service area being mobilised, able to communicate complex information to diverse audiences.
- Engaging and building strong working relationships with stakeholders, maintaining confidence whilst leading through others.
- Seeing specific initiatives and projects from inception to completion.
- Undertaking detailed programme research, working closely with policy colleagues where required.
- Task management duties where required.
Experience
- Experience of managing multiple and competing priorities/projects, whilst delivering outcomes on time
- Experience of working with stakeholders across multiple geographic locations and professional backgrounds
- Experience of managing change and delivering quality outcomes
- An understanding of the Justice system and the roles and responsibilities that sit within it
Desirable experience
- An understanding of the importance of a successful education, skills and work offer within prisons
- Experience of working in a project environment
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
We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing [Lead behavior]
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Please note that if we have a large number of applicants, we will do a first sift on the lead behavior
Overview of the job
The job holder is expected to identify the need for the development of new policy or revision of existing policy, carry out appropriate research, analyse information from a
range of sources and then provide first drafts of policy instructions and guidance.
Summary
The job holder will develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels, including operational front line staff and senior officials from Other Government Departments.
The job holder will on occasions be required to represent HMPPS in meetings with outside organisations and stakeholders and Other Government Departments.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
• Developing, planning the delivery of and consulting on new operational policy or legislative changes in respect of the relevant policy areas, and assisting with their implementation including drafting new guidance, and training staff across England and Wales as required.
• Drafting replies to ministerial correspondence and correspondence from offenders, victims, and members of the public, and researching and drafting submissions and answers to Parliamentary Questions.
• Responsible for researching, drafting and producing both informative and persuasive submissions, for clearance by Head of Team, to Ministers which often comment on complex and sensitive inter-departmental issues, for which agreement must be sought.
• Responsible for drafting notes to senior officials, informing them of the status of cases.
• Undertaking detailed research for questions of policy and providing interpretation of the published guidance.
• Liaising with legal advisors to ensure policy objectives are met and are consistent with legal advice.
• Providing national guidance and interpretation on the relevant policy areas, including legislation and complex case specific issues in response to enquiries from staff and managers in probation divisions and prisons, officials from other HMPPS/MoJ Units, Government departments and agencies.
• Setting up projects, with appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Representing the policy area/team/group at meetings with HQ and frontline staff - and feeding back information to senior management.
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.
Essential Experience
N.B. Converting job descriptions to the new Success Profile format means areas captured in experience could also be assessed as a strength. Vacancy managers should use their own judgement to decide where best to assess these.
• Excellent written skills
• Excellent analytical skills
• Experience of policy development
• Data analysis skills
• Experience of writing briefings, submissions, and PQs
Technical requirements
• IT literacy
• An understanding of the process of Government, including the workings of Private Office
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
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.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
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 provides 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 the 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
23/10/2024, 23:55 hours.
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.
Please quote the job reference - 90648.
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
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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.