Head of Operational Function (Head of Service): London Probation Service

To provide management and leadership within the National Probation Service(NPS) with responsibility for resources and the operational and strategic direction and management of the Service within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or any other operational unit and/or functional area of activity.

To represent the Deputy Director with external agencies/Stakeholders and staff as appropriate.

In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do.

The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
May be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

Heads of Operational Function may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities set out below.

• Lead, innovate and develop local strategies in line with the national strategic framework


• Effectively lead cluster operational delivery and contribute corporately to national operational delivery and priorities


• Lead the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks


• Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings in line with delegated functional lead and decision making responsibilities.


• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation


• Manage competing demands within (geographical) area of responsibility


• Responsible for the various functions across the division; including line management of middle managers.


• Manage resources effectively.


• Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings


• To make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g. authorising the recall of offenders to prison


• Oversight of the management of complaints within the Operational Function and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary


• Undertake all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices including overseeing local recruitment, Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals, chair grievance and other hearings.


• Work effectively with your respective Divisional Senior Leadership Team and take lead responsibility nationally for specific projects/portfolios


• Deputise for the Deputy Director as required in the LDU / operational unit functional area of activity


• Work with MOJ/NOMS Communications on a range of products


• Implement NOMS equality strategy


• Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance


• Carry out agency responsibilities for victims.


• Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies


• Discharge estates responsibilities for Head of Operational Function


• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.


• Work within the aims and values of NPS and NOMS


The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration sand additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.,
• Essential where the, post holder has line management of operational units responsible for the supervision and/or risk management of offenders, 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.


• Leadership


• Communicating and Influencing


• Making Effective Decisions


• Managing a Quality Service


• Delivering at Pace


• Changing and Improving


• Working Together


Essential Experience


• Significant experience at middle manager level, holding relevant responsibilities in at least two different settings.


• Substantial experience of line management of staff, including supervision, appraisal and motivating.


• Lead monitoring performance in area of responsibility against pre- determined targets and if necessary effect significant improvements.


• Responsibility for budgetary control to support local operational requirements.


• Strategic operational planning through effective deployment of available resources and staff to meet operational demands.


• Manage people and projects (applying project management techniques) to implement significant change/practice improvements.


• Working with key local agencies and stakeholders to develop strong partner relationships.


• Preparing high level written reports


• Experience of delivering presentations to multi-agency audiences and large groups


• Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines.


• Experience of managing people through organisational change


• Experience of successfully managing relationships including where there is conflict.


• Experience of contributing to the development of strategic business plans to achieve improved service delivery


• Experience of making complex risk management and public protection decisions


An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh,
• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007, The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:


• Diploma in Probation Studies,


• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)


• CQSW (with Probation Option.)


• Knowledge of Health and Safety and Equalities legislation.


• Knowledge of the wider Criminal Justice System.


• Current knowledge of effective practice in managing risk and reducing reoffending

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.,
• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007., Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit

Leadership - 250 word limit
Making Effective Decisions - 250 word limit
Managing a Quality Service - 250 word limit

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

• A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.


• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.


• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.


• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.


• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.


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 (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.
Interview dates
To be confirmed
Closing Date, Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Managing a Quality Service
Seeing the Big Picture
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Presentation

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'.