2 x Head of PDU (1 HNE and 1 SENF) (Ref: 20605) in Fareham

Location: Fareham, UK; Imperial House, 2 Grosvenor Rd, Barrack Rd, Aldershot GU11 1DP, UK; St Clement House, Alençon Link, Basingstoke RG21 7SB, UK; The Court House, Elmleigh Rd, Havant PO9 2AL, UK; Town Quay House, 7 Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2ET, UK

Salary: 76,241 - 82,145 per year

Employment: Flexible

Category: Management

Posted: 2026-08-02

Valid to: 2026-09-02

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service

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

Summary: 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 & 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
• 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
• 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

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations 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.

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

Technical requirements:

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

Qualifications:

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

Behaviours: We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

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

Benefits:

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• 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
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements.

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. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants:

• Job contact: Name: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
• Telephone: 0345 241 5358

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL in the first instance.