Head of Function in Northumberland

Heads of Operational Functions are deployed to a variety of roles to provide leadership of staff and operations.

To provide management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) with responsibility for resources and the operational and strategic direction and management of the Service within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or any other operational unit and/or functional area of activity. To represent the Deputy Director with external agencies/Stakeholders and staff as appropriate. In line with NPS policies and procedures, the job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their 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. May be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.

Responsibilities:

• Activities including line management of middle managers.
• Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including 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.
• Oversight of 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.
• 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.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re‑examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

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 predetermined 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. Work 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.

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.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Additional Information:

• New entrants to the Civil Service will be expected to join at the entry point salary for the advertised band. Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department’s pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.
• The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows.
• Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid.
• HMPPS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs.
• Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays.
• The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).
• The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.

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 (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.
• A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.