23647 - Operations Manager - Unpaid Work (UPW) - East of England in London

This operations manager post sits within the NPS East of England Unpaid Work and Attendance Centres team, part of the Ministry of Justice's probation service. The holder sets the direction for Unpaid Work, assessing and planning court-ordered placements that meet health and safety standards and suit people on probation, while meeting contract targets with partners. The role carries line management of a mobile, dispersed team, with occasional on-call out-of-hours cover. Fit depends on a D1 driving licence and an IOSH Level 3 qualification, which can be achieved within six months of appointment.

What the job involves:

• Implement the strategic direction for Unpaid Work so that contract requirements are met to standard and reoffending is reduced.
• Assess and plan a diverse range of purposeful work placements that meet health and safety requirements and accessibility needs.
• Provide management and leadership to the team, and be accountable for quality of practice and team performance.
• Be accountable for the safe and effective delivery of court orders and the associated risks, including to staff and public safety.
• Hold the statutory link with multi-agency risk management forums.
• Provide management oversight of the suitability of people for community payback, including those assessed as high risk.
• Recruit, develop and manage staff, including performance, attendance, employee relations and diversity matters.
• Engage community partners, including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, negotiate partnership agreements and generate new placements.
• Work with court report writers, sentencers and partner agencies to raise awareness of Unpaid Work.
• Oversee the development and assessment of projects, lead work with partners and represent the Probation Service.
• Be accountable for asset, fleet and equipment management, aligning resources to demand cost-effectively.
• Work with the regional Health and Safety Advisor, committee and union colleagues, investigate breaches and introduce improvements.

What’s required:

Qualifications:

• Level 3 IOSH qualification or equivalent, or ability to achieve it within six months of appointment.

Experience:

• Managing staff working with challenging people in a practical work environment.
• Risk management and assessment, including multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures.
• Working under pressure to demanding deadlines.
• Working flexibly as a team member to achieve performance targets.
• Managing or supporting change and improving quality and efficiency.
• Managing health and safety policies and procedures.

Skills & knowledge:

• Understanding of the Probation Service role in the Criminal Justice System and in multi-disciplinary settings.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by victims of crime.
• Well-developed IT skills, interpreting performance reports, and effective administration and information systems.
• Championing diversity and inclusiveness internally and externally.
• Working knowledge of health and safety legislation.

Checks & eligibility:

• DBS Standard check and security and identity checks.
• D1 category driving licence.
• Eligibility under Civil Service nationality rules.

Other:

• Ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role in English (or Welsh where specified).

What’s offered:

• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising to 30 after five years, plus public holidays.
• Local Government Pension Scheme through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.
• Hybrid working where business need allows.
• Family-friendly policies, including reduced hours and job share.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Flexible benefits, including voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Employee networks.