Role Profile

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HQ Job Description (JD)
Directorate: Directorate of Security
Job Description - Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) -
Foreign Language Translation Specialist

Document Ref.
HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist
v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
11 June 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence

OFFICIAL
HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist v1.0

OFFICIAL

         Job Description
Job Title
Foreign Language Translation Specialist
Directorate
Directorate of Security
Band
5

Overview of the
The post holder will provide language translation services in
job
support of other teams within JEXU and the wider Directorate of
Security including High Security Estate (HSE) Prisons as
required, to support the management of offenders that require
rapid and responsive, in-house, language translation expertise
for the risk they pose to be managed effectively.
In 2017 the Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) was established as a
strategic partnership between HMPPS’s Directorate of Security
(DoS) and the Home Office’s Homeland Security Group (HSG).
This function was and remains charged with providing counter-
terrorism threat leadership to the prison and probation sector as
well as significantly enhancing a range of CT-specialist
operational capabilities on a local to national scale.t is expected
that the post holder will thrive in a challenging and varied role,
has good attention to detail, is capable of utilising analytical skills
and proficient in the use of IT. It is expected that the applicant
will be proficient and fluent in both English and at the relevant
foreign language(s) and capable of the accurate translation of
written and audio material into English, and conversion into
intelligence.
The post sits within the National Operations and Assurance
Team (NOAT) within the Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU). The post
holder will report to the JEXU National CT Pursue Manager with
responsibility for the National Counter Terrorism
Communications Control Centre.
The role is fully office based and is a non-operational role.
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HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist v1.0

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Summary
The post holder will utilise their specialist language translation
skillset to support the deployment of authorised communication
monitoring of terrorist offenders including those who
communicate in the relevant foreign language(s). This may
include the translation of live communication where required.
They will support JEXU and wider HQ teams with the translation
of any material of potential concern found in possession of
terrorist offenders. Relevant foreign languages include Arabic,
Urdu, Pashto, Bangla, Romanian (a non-exhaustive list) with the
specific, lead language requirement made clear on
advertisement of the role.

The job holder will work closely with and support colleagues in
HMPPS and partner agencies working in the prison sector in
relation to sensitive intelligence operations. The post holder will
need to utilise the latest Artificial Intelligence and digital tools to
aid translation, using their language skills to interpret and assess
the integrity of digital outputs

The post holder will need to build the confidence of internal
customers and partners as they play a key role in developing
new capabilities to enhance the gathering of information.

This post will require sound planning and administrative skills,
with an eye for detail and an understanding of the lawful
collection and management of information, and communications
restrictions.

The post holder will not have any line management responsibility
but will be expected to work effectively as part of a team.

This is a complex, specialist, high-risk area of work, and the post
holder must act with the very highest levels of personal and
professional integrity and champion these qualities in others,
whilst managing potentially sensitive information. They must be
security cleared to (SC) level in order to take up post.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties

•  The translation of terrorist prisoners telephone calls, email
and other forms of authorised communications, including
where required on a ‘live’ basis.
•  Supporting the process for the assessment of potentially
inappropriate material of CT concern seized in prisons,
translating to enable consideration by the national panel.
•  Attending relevant training and professionalisation events to
maintain language skills as an affiliate member of the
Chartered Institute for Linguists. Work towards achieving and
then maintaining a Level 6 Diploma in Public Service
Translating and an assessed C1 language level certification.
•  Accurately translating audio and written material from the
relevant foreign language into written English.
•  Assessment of content, including the live review of content to
ensure timely creation, submission and dissemination of
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HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist v1.0

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intelligence. to support the decision making within prisons
and wider CT sector teams.
•  Working with cross-government agencies with a CT Sector
interest to assess the suitability of contact between terrorist
prisoners and people or organisations in the community.
•  Maintaining accurate and detailed logs to ensure consistent
application of powers available to HMPPS under the Prison
Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
•  Where assessed as necessary, coordinating the translation of
additional language content through daily liaison with
commercial translation providers.
•  Creating, saving and storing written records using appropriate
documentation in line with policy guidance and retention.
•  Preparing and undertaking operational briefings and
debriefings as a Counter Terrorism foreign language
translation subject matter expert
•  Providing advice, guidance and support to prisons, the JEXU
operational network, CT Policing and other CT partners,
including during and in response to live operational incidents
requiring language translation expertise.
•  Providing language translation advice as directed to other
teams in JEXU and the wider Directorate of Security and co-
ordinating and prioritising the related activity.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is
at present and is not intended to be 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 the Job Evaluation Scheme
and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in
English.

Behaviours
•  Communicating and Influencing
•  Working Together
•  Managing a Quality Service
•  Changing and Improving
•  Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Note: We recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally -
select from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the
intranet.
Ability
•  An ability to accurately and consistently translate audio and
written content from the relevant foreign language into written
English.
•  To have an existing membership or work towards obtaining
affiliate member of the Chartered Institute for Linguists.
•  To have or work towards achieving a Level 6 Diploma in Public
Service Translating and an assessed C1 language level
certification in the relevant language(s)
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HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist v1.0

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•  An understanding of Intelligence and intelligence gathering
activities.
•  IT proficiency across a range of applications.

Experience
The job holder must obtain security clearance at SC level before
taking up the post.
Experience of translation work for a public sector body is
desirable and although not essential, as applicants will be
assessed as part of the application process, a C1 language level
certification from a recognised body is desirable.
Written and oral fluency in the relevant foreign language and the
English language.
Understanding of digital and Artificial Intelligence systems that
support r
Understanding of intelligence and the HMPPS intelligence model
and capabilities.
Understanding of the operation of the Security function within a
prison.
Understanding of covert intelligence capabilities as per the
Investigatory Powers Act (and RIPA) as pertains to covert
surveillance.
Technical
To have or work towards achieving a Level 6 Diploma in Public
Service Translating and an assessed C1 language level
certification in the relevant language(s)
Staff will need to pass an assessment process, assessing linguistic
competence and capability.

Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility

•  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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
•  All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
taking up post.

Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only

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HQ JES 3199 Foreign Language Translation Specialist v1.0