Head of Policy (Ref: 11225)

Overview

This important leadership role operates in the Central Operations Support (COS) function within Probation Operations Directorate (POD) in HMPPS. COS provide operational support across HMPPS and into regions to assure excellence in delivery. This is achieved through effective leadership, engagement, and a holistic analysis of operational delivery through the lens of workforce, quality, and performance. COS is focused on delivering activity that makes a positive difference in contributing to the Chief Probation Officer\'s priorities, which include responding to probation capacity, recruitment and retention, public protection and strengthening middle management leadership.

The postholder will be one of 2 Heads of Policy leading a team to deliver recruitment and pay within HMPPS. The team is responsible for HMPPS strategy in these important areas and provides a tactical response to probation pay and workforce challenges, through strong engagement across functions and regional operational teams, working in close collaboration with key MOJ delivery partners. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a busy and fast-paced area within COS.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with MOJ People in relation to the delivery of Probation Recruitment and Pay, including Ministerial commitments in relation to recruitment of Trainee Probation Officers.
• Setting and communicating business needs, supporting delivery and communication, and managing complex stakeholder engagement/governance.
• Providing a tactical response, co-ordinating across lead function areas, in relation to matters of Recruitment and Pay.
• Provide leadership and co-ordination in relation to Pay and Recruitment projects and workstreams, working closely with MOJ functions, Data and Analysis, Finance, and Trade Union colleagues.
• Providing leadership to the team, including day to day people management activities and team engagement.
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships within and outside of COS and POD. This includes working in close collaboration with key stakeholders e.g. Regional Probation Directors, MOJ Policy, MOJ People Group, Finance and other Government Departments.
• Accountable for effective delivery of COS priorities through excellent leadership, ensuring effective impact monitoring, reporting and evaluation plans are in place.
• Provide robust oversight of risks and issues, ensuring effective mitigations and controls are deployed in response to any emerging risks.
• Engage with relevant Senior level and strategic governance Boards to make proposals, seek decisions and provide updates pertaining to key areas of work.
• Lead contributions to formal commissions, often working at pace, including parliamentary questions, Ministerial briefings and submissions and responses to audit and inspection recommendations.

Additional information

The duties/responsibilities listed are 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. Candidates should be able to operate at a strategic level, working as part of the wider Senior Leadership team, whilst ensuring robust and detailed oversight of team delivery and risks.

Excellent communication and engagement skills and the ability to influence are essential, and candidates should have a good understanding of the wider organisation context and stakeholder landscape.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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).

Salary and benefits

Alongside your salary of £78,587, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £22,766 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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