Head of Operational Function, Yorkshire and the Humber Probation Service, North and North East [...] in Grimsby

Overview of the Job

Heads of Operational Functions are deployed to a variety of roles to provide leadership of staff and operations within the National Probation Service (NPS). The role involves providing management and leadership, managing resources, leading local strategies, representing the Deputy Director and external agencies, and ensuring compliance with policies, equality, inclusion, health & safety and confidentiality.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

• 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
• 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
• Oversee 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

Behaviours

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

Technical Requirements

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma / Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice or a qualification recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007
• 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

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. The role can only be worked in the UK and may not be suitable for all. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate and subject to regular review.

Nationality Eligibility

• 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
• 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
• 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

Benefits

• Annual leave is 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays
• Pension: covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund
• Training and development opportunities
• 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

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