22297 - Head of Programmes Band A - Permanent - Full Time - South West (10206710) in Bristol

Accountable for the management of public protection, risk of harm and reducing re-offending, safeguarding adults and children and responsibilities to victims by ensuring strategic oversight of the delivery of appropriately targeted Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions to People of Probation subject to community sentencing to comply with the requirements of the courts. This role will be regional based reporting directly to the Head of Interventions for their region and will be a part of the Regional Senior Management Team. The Head of Programmes has direct line management responsibility for Programme Managers and will provide leadership and strategic direction to the wider staff group within the function.

Summary

Provide leadership and be accountable for resources and the strategic and operational direction for a suite of Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions within the region. Developing service delivery through the use of evidence-based practice to reduce re-offending and build confidence in public protection and reducing the risk of harm. They will lead, innovate, develop and be accountable for local strategies in line with the national strategic framework, and develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and partners to meet statutory responsibilities and to reduce reoffending.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• Overall responsibility for ensuring the effective operation of interventions provided by the programmes team. These must be provided in accordance with the Interventions Integrity Framework and all relevant organisational policies and HMPPS accreditation standards.
• Accountable for leading the implementation, delivery and performance of local strategies which influence national strategy and align with the wider HMPPS approach.
• Accountable for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and continuously review internal and external operating environments, including identifying and developing suitable partnerships to support Accredited Programme and Structured Intervention delivery.
• Leadership and accountability to influence the Courts, Judiciaries, Parole Boards and the Head of PDU to ensure correctly targeted interventions.
• Make decisions based on needs analysis around commissioning and decommissioning of structured interventions and accredited programmes on a continuous basis to ensure service is responsive to the needs of People on Probation and the reducing reoffending priorities.
• Work collaboratively with external stakeholders to oversee the development of new and innovative ways of working, adapting to meet the emerging demands, diversity of needs and the criteria and quality requirements of the Effective Intervention Panel in line with the PCC and local Criminal Justice Boards delivery strategies.
• Have overall accountability of performance for Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions - ensuring resources are utilised effectively and efficiently across the Region.
• Accountable for the leadership and strategic direction of staff within the function including direct line management and associated responsibilities including recruitment, attendance and performance management, disciplinary and investigations in line with HR Policies.
• Accountable for leading quality assurance of service delivery in line with intervention integrity framework HMIP policies and recommendations and the Operational and System Assurance Group.

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.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace

Experience

• Experience within Accredited Programme or Structured Interventions delivery.
• Experience of planning and managing delivery over large geographical areas.
• Experience of effectively and efficiently managing financial and physical resources.
• Extensive experience of effectively leading, managing and motivating staff.
• Experience of successfully building and managing strategic and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of successfully managing the performance of teams and individuals to achieve high working standards.
• Experience of making complex risk management and public protection decisions.

Technical

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.

Additional Information

This is one of two Leadership roles in Accredited Programmes at this level in the South West. It collaborates closely with other Head of Service in the Intervention and Sentence Management functions, responds to dynamic risks at pace and ensures effective service delivery.

Statement of suitability - A statement of suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience evidence of your suitability for this role in reference to the essential criteria.

Presentation - You will also be required to provide a presentation at interview. The presentation topic will be emailed to candidates who have passed initial online application stage as soon as they are made aware that they have been invited to interview. This presentation will assess candidates against the success profiles behaviour (What would your priorities be for improving the service in the first 6 and 12 months?).

Sifting on a lead behaviour - Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour (Leadership). Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to full sift, or progress straight to interview.

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering interview questions by outlining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of your experiences.

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.

Benefits

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).
• 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.

Eligibility

Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

Contact Information

If you wish to discuss this role further please contact - Esther Schmidt esther.schmidt@justice.gov.uk