21993 - Head of Function Operational – Standard Establishment in Woking

General Information

• Salary: £54,148
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Location: Woking
• Region: Kent, Surrey & Sussex
• Closing Date: 25-Sep-2026
• Business Unit: Coldingley
• Post Type: Permanent
• Civil Service Grade: SEO
• Number of jobs available: 1
• Reserve List: 12 Months

Job description

Overview: Job holders within this Group Profile will report to the Deputy Governor and be responsible for managing a function within an establishment which has been defined as standard complexity, including management of all staff within the function. The job holder will need to ensure that they implement robust systems to manage the function, as they will often be distanced from front-line duties and will need to delegate appropriately. They will be required to robustly apply national policies in their area and draft local policies accordingly. These are operational prisoner facing roles.

Typical tasks associated with this Group Profile include:

• Act as the Governor's representative by chairing adjudications and taking charge of day-to-day establishment operations as Duty Governor
• Promote Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours e.g. promote diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas
• Review open Assessment Care in Custody teamwork (ACCT) as and when required in line with audit baselines
• Provide leadership and management of the Function. Will have the skills to apply all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices and be able to carry out all aspects of people management such as Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals
• Manage Prisoners Complaints Process within the Function
• Responsible for ensuring all litigation claims relevant to the area have been dealt with in accordance with policy
• Oversee the compilation and regular progress reporting of performance improvement programmes
• Manage the appropriate authorisation of Financial Compliance Statements
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation
• Ensure that the Function produces and analyses audit and establishment performance management information identifying variances and areas requiring improvements
• Contribute to the establishment’s overall achievement of (SDIs) and standards and be accountable for the performance and delivery of targets relating to the budget; People Plan for the Function.
• Accountable for all local and national policies relating to the Function, and ensure procedures implemented are compliant, including the development of new policies
• Contribute to the development and delivery of the medium-to-long term strategic and business plan for the establishment, with overall responsibility for implementation within their Function
• Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member
• 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
• Contribute to the preparation of the establishment contingency and emergency plans and ensure implementation when required.
• Ensure the effective use of staff resources and the provision of training and annual leave opportunities
• Produce relevant reports as required and ensure that the response to all correspondence are within agreed timescales
• Carry out investigations and administration in relation to incidents of potential discrimination and report on findings
• Accountable for ensuring actions arising from Standard Audit, His Majesty Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) Action Plans and Managing Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys, including local self-audit action plans and Resettlement strategies, are delivered
• Deliver and implement projects as directed by the Governor
• Actively encourage staff engagement within the Function to ensure objectives are met

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Accreditation/Registration:

• Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.
• Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).
• Where HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of Function roles.
• When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.
• Successful completion of workbook.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Hours of Work and Allowances:

This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment at the current approved organisation rate will be made in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public Holidays.

Behaviours:

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

Technical Requirements:

• Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.
• Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).
• Where HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of Function roles.
• When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.
• Successful completion of workbook.

Additional 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.

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. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitably qualified staff. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non-standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment.
• Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Work Life Balance: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period.
• NVQ Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.
• Childcare Vouchers: For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.
• Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes.

Eligibility:

• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist.

Working for the Civil Service:

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace.

Diversity & Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans: The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria.

Redeployment Interview Scheme: Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant.

Civil Service Nationality Rules: This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and others as specified.

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

Contact Information: If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk. Please quote the job reference: 21993.