NPS Job Description (JD)
NPS Pay Band A
Directorate: NPS Learning & Development
Job Description: Probation Learning Lead
Document Ref.
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
Document Type
Management
Version
4.0
Classification
Unclassified
Date of Issue
01/12/2020
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
NPS Job Description
Job Title
Probation Learning Lead
Directorate
National Probation Service
Band
NPS Pay Band A
Overview of the job
The post holder will act as a regional SPOC for learning, having strategic oversight and
autonomy for the delivery of all Learning and Development (L&D) activities along with
aiding the NPS region to meet business needs. Although based within the NPS the
post holder is a member of the wider HMPPS L&D team and reports to the Head of
Probation Learning Delivery.
The post holder leads the delivery of all Learning and Development, including
Probation qualifications at NPS Regional level and drives and deploys the associated
L&D for the NPS. This includes being solution focused in developing initiatives to
meet business need and broker resources with a range of stakeholders.
The role is an L&D management function and the post holder will be required to apply
their professional skills and specialist knowledge to ensure the effective delivery of
probation qualifications and associated L&D programmes.
The post holder will also be required to mentor and coach other leaders in order to
support the professional development and acquisition of specialist skills across
HMPPS L&D and/or NPS.
Summary
Overall management and deployment of NPS L&D activities to meet the needs of the
region. The job holder will have the autonomy to deploy resources efficiently and
effectively to meet business aims/objectives and national targets.
Actively engage Senior Leaders in the L&D offer and will promote and champion the
new L&D model brand & learning culture, providing regular learning updates and
communications.
Project manage the development of a strategic NPS Divisional training plan in
conjunction with HMPPS L&D and deliver high quality probation qualifications and
associated professional skills training across an NPS Division.
Manage a geographically spread regional team to meet the needs of the region.
The job holder will be expected to travel within the Region and to attend national
meetings and events on a regular basis. This will require occasional overnight stays.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities & Duties
and duties:
? Lead on the delivery of all L&D activities and probation qualifications,
exercising autonomy over resources, solutions and models of delivery to
adopt creative solutions which meet regional need.
? Provide expertise in the development of national probation qualifications
policy and the delivery model as well as implementation at regional level.
? Broker and have strategic management of a portfolio of NPS business
specific L&D, keeping up to date in the latest development in L&D both
internally and externally to the organisation.
? Engage and influence internal and external stakeholders to effectively
implement national and divisional L&D priorities and to address emerging
issues.
? Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings in
line with lead and decision making responsibilities.
? Lead, innovate and develop local strategies/processes in line with the
national strategic framework to ensure the division engages and achieves
best practice.
? Drive and monitor the commissioning process within the region, promoting
consistency and addressing any related escalations or non-compliance.
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
? Work in partnership with the relevant learning stakeholders to ensure
effective deployment of training resources on a national and local level and
to identify workforce planning requirements within the region and
associated learner numbers.
? Lead on monitoring performance in area of responsibility against pre-
determined targets and if necessary, effect significant improvements.
? Work in partnership with the Head of New Entrant Pathways to oversee
Vocational Qualification delivery to ensure that Awarding Body requirements
are met and that learners progress to meet their learning goals.
? Work with the wider HMPPS L&D team and with HMPPS/NPS
Communications to embed two-way communication on a range of L&D
products to effectively engage staff across a large geographical area and
increase attendance rates at L&D activities
? Establish and maintain two-way regular and effective reporting mechanisms
to feed and input into the central team and national learning priorities but
also to identify or highlight regional priorities or areas of focus
? Work effectively with your respective Regional Probation Director in
collaboration with the central Learning Services team and the Design Faculty
on specific projects/portfolios
? Lead the Probation Qualification Assessment Board (PQAB) providing
oversight of management of complaints within the probation qualifications
progression board and direct involvement in complaint resolution where
necessary
? The post holder is responsible for maintaining an effective working
relationship with the NPS Regional Probation Director, Learning Services,
Heads of Operations, HRBPs, wider L&D colleagues and other stakeholders.
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
alternations 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.
Behaviours
? Leadership
? Developing Self and Others
? Changing and Improving
? Delivering at Pace
? Communicating and Influencing
? Making Effective Decisions
Strengths
N.B. It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential Experience
? Significant experience of relationship management, influencing key
stakeholders and managing expectations and conflict
? Detailed understanding of probation qualifications including vocational
qualifications and Higher Education contract delivery.
? Experience at senior management level or working with or influencing senior
managers from a range of internal or external settings.
? Strategic operational planning through effective deployment of available
resources and staff to meet operational demands.
? Experience of delivering presentations to multi-agency audiences and large
groups.
? Experience of contributing to the development of strategic business plans to
achieve improved service delivery.
Technical
A qualification in one of the following areas:
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. The
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised
as providing such eligibility:
o Diploma in Probation Studies
o Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
o CQSW (with Probation Option)
o Leadership and Management qualification
o Learning and Development qualification
? Knowledge and understanding of the learning and development process,
including evaluation and quality assurance.
? Knowledge of the wider Criminal Justice System and how the agencies work
together
Ability
? Ability to prepare high level written reports including data analysis and
making strategic proposals
? Strong organisational skills, planning and attention to detail.
? Strategic knowledge and skills in local and national projects to support
continuous improvement of NPS/HMPPS L&D design and delivery
Minimum 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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
N.B. The below are
Ability
Experience
Technical
for guidance only, it
is advised strengths
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8.
A qualification in one of the following areas:
? 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
Detailed understanding of
Preparing high level
of qualification by the Secretary of State for
probation qualifications
written reports
Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender
including vocational
Leadership
Team Leader
including data
Management Act 2007. The following
qualifications and Higher
analysis and making
qualifications gained in England and Wales were
Education contract delivery.
strategic proposals.
previously recognised as providing such
eligibility:
Diploma in Probation Studies
Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
CQSW (with Probation Option)
Leadership and Management qualification
Learning and Development qualification
Strong
Substantial experience of line
Knowledge and understanding of the learning and
organisational
management of staff, including
Developing Self and Others
Explainer
development process, including evaluation and
skills, planning and
supervision, appraisal and
quality assurance.
attention to detail.
motivating.
Strategic
knowledge and
skills in local and
national projects to
Experience of managing people
Knowledge of Health and Safety and Equalities
Changing and Improving
Improver
support continuous
through organisational change.
legislation.
improvement of
NPS/HMPPS L&D
design and delivery
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0
Experience of working under
Delivering at Pace
Responsible
Knowledge of the wider Criminal Justice System.
pressure and to tight deadlines.
Experience at senior
management level or working
Communicating and Influencing
Influencer
with or influencing senior
managers from a range of
internal or external settings.
Experience of delivering
presentations to multi-agency
audiences and large groups.
Experience of contributing to
the development of strategic
Making Effective Decisions
Decisive
business plans to achieve
improved service delivery.
Lead on monitoring
performance in area of
responsibility against pre-
determined targets and if
necessary effect significant
improvements.
Strategic operational planning
through effective deployment
of available resources and staff
to meet operational demands.
NPS-JES-0035 Probation Learning Lead v4.0