At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate community-led Scrutiny Panels to improve police practices and build public trust.
- Company: Join the Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, committed to community engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a diverse, inclusive culture.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities for personal growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Project management experience and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38169 - 44700 £ per year.
Grade: 6 £38,169 – £44,700 (Pro Rata) Hours: 29.2 hours a week (4 days). We can be flexible with specific working patterns, which will be discussed upon appointment in post.
Directly responsible to: Policy Manager
Working Pattern: Hybrid working with 2 days per week onsite, at the Office in Birmingham or at Scrutiny Panel locations.
Location: Office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Lloyd House, Birmingham City Centre. This is a politically restricted post.
Community‑led Scrutiny Panels are a crucial way in which the public supports the Police and Crime Commissioner to improve police practices. The role of a Scrutiny Panel is to inform the Commissioner of the impact of the use of police powers and tactics and how these affect community trust and confidence in the police. The Office currently runs 13 Scrutiny Panels, focusing on stop and search, use of force, and strip search within police custody suites. Two panels are made up of children and young adults. Over 70 panels take place each year across the West Midlands, involving 180‑200 volunteer members of the public.
The successful candidate will coordinate all aspects of Scrutiny Panels across the West Midlands, including:
- Organising and attending panels, ensuring smooth running
- Recruiting members
- Developing processes
- Scheduling training
They will ensure feedback is fed to West Midlands Police, contributes to policy development, and records are publicly available.
Responsibilities:
- Plan, organize and delegate Scrutiny Panel activities to ensure effective delivery, including community outreach, logistics, and training of panel members.
- Maintain accurate records and produce high‑quality quarterly reports summarising themes and trends from panel meetings.
- Recruit, motivate and support volunteer panel members, building strong relationships with stakeholders and senior police representatives.
- Coordinate with the Policing and Prevention Policy team, the Stop and Search Training Supervisor, and the Policy Officer for the Fair and Effective Use of Police Powers portfolio.
- Work flexibly, travelling as required across the West Midlands and attending panels in the evenings or on weekends.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Excellent and demonstrable experience or knowledge of project management and/or coordination.
- Excellent experience of managing or coordinating volunteers and an understanding of volunteer recruitment processes.
- Strong communication skills, able to articulate clearly to a range of stakeholders including the public and senior police representatives.
- Experience of proactively supporting and motivating others, with excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
- Experience of report writing, producing high‑quality reports on themes and trends.
- Ability to work flexibly, including occasional later hours and significant travel across the West Midlands.
- Great proactivity, initiative and problem‑solving skills.
The post sits within the Policing and Prevention Policy team and involves close work with experienced and knowledgeable staff. We are committed to equality and diversity and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate a good understanding of diversity and human rights and a personal commitment to promoting diversity and racial equality.
Why work for us?
- Diverse and inclusive organisational culture
- Hybrid working and flexible hours
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Pay progression through multiple increments
- Learning & development opportunities
- Employee benefits package
- Commitment to anti‑racist and trauma‑informed practices
Hiring note: We recommend applying even if you feel you do not meet every criterion exactly. If you are passionate about this role, we encourage you to apply.
The Office is an equal opportunities employer, and will take every reasonable measure to ensure an equal opportunity in all aspects of the employment process to any applicant applying for the post.
To apply, please use the official application form linked directly in the West Midlands Police websites. The application will be submitted via an official platform in line with safe recruitment requirements.
