Senior Administrative Officer (SAO) - Accredited Programmes - Norfolk and Suffolk - East of England in Bury St Edmunds

Overview of the job: This is a coordination and senior administrative role in the Divisional office, Function / Cluster local offices. Frequent travel will be required for this role.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties:

• Management Support: Development and implementation of business administration systems, databases and recording systems to support operational probation delivery. Preparation and collation of a range of documentation for a variety of purposes to support effective divisional, functional or cluster business activity and operational probation delivery. Maintenance of (or supporting the relevant Business Manager to maintain) Divisional, functional or cluster registers such as Serious Further Offences, Freedom of Information, Accidents, Complaints, inputting data, monitoring agreed probation processes and ensuring completion in specified timescales. Collection and distribution of monies to/from Imprest, and maintenance of related records. Act as Vetting Contact Point for the relevant division, function or cluster. Monitor Travel Warrants, Bus passes, cheque book requests and assist with Purchase Orders where required, within the agreed procurement arrangements. Attend meetings and events to represent the relevant Business Manager as agreed from time to time.
• Health, Safety & Fire: Ensure the timely reporting of problems, including repairs, defects and security issues with the building(s) to facilities contractors and maintain progress to reach satisfactory conclusions and ensure equipment is in good working order. Undertake and co-ordinate health and safety risk assessments, fire drills and ergonomic assessments at the relevant sites, or ensure they are undertaken. Report issues locally and to the Divisional HS&F Manager. Maintain registers and coordinate training. Act as Cardinus Assessor, First Aider and Fire Warden and take forward actions to deal with local issues arising from incidents and DSE Assessments, or ensure that there are sufficient people able to undertake these roles at the relevant sites.
• Effectively Manage and Develop staff: Provide effective management and leadership to the team. Proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues. Contribute to relevant training and development events as a trainer. Support recruitment activity for relevant posts within the cluster/division.
• Use communication effectively: Write reports to support the effective operation of the Division/Cluster/Function. Participate in meetings where appropriate, using appropriate skills, styles and approaches. Contribute to the management of the Division/Cluster/Function.
• Enhance your own performance: Manage own resources and take responsibility for own professional development.
• Use information to take critical decisions: Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, developing systems and compiling reports as necessary. Use data to identify trends and take appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance. Ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken towards the maintenance, security and confidentiality of written and electronically stored material, in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and Information Security Policies and Procedures. Ensure that all team resources are deployed cost effectively and provide best value. Undertake (or support locally if the role is held divisionally) the Knowledge and Information Liaison Officer role offering advice and guidance to OMs in completing such requests and work with Data Access Compliance Unit to complete responses. Acting as Record Retrieval Requestor in line with divisional, function or cluster arrangements. 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 HMPPS.

Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Essential Experience:

• Demonstrate previous administration experience, and experience of providing a wide range of management support activities.
• Evidence of providing support and assistance to colleagues in delivering a quality service.

Technical requirements:

• NVQ Level 2 or equivalent.
• GCSE Grade A‑C in English and Maths (or equivalent).
• IT skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint (or equivalent).

Hours of Work: 37 hours per week, excluding breaks which are unpaid.

Working Arrangements & Further Information: The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Benefits: 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. The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).

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. Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave. Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Equal Opportunities: In line with NPS policies, the job holder must demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and have an understanding of its 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.