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General Information

Salary
£40,962 - £42,928
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
27-Apr-2026
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
16627

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 5

Please note, due to need to achieve DV clearance whilst in post, candidates must be UK resident or have right to work in UK.


Overview of the job

This is a specialist administrative role within HMPPS Headquarters. The posts sit in the Central Authorities Bureau (CAB), which is a part of the Intelligence Portfolio, Governance and Compliance Unit, within the HMPPS National Intelligence Unit (NIU).   

The CAB provides oversight of policy and advice to practitioners across the prison estate exercising powers available to HMPPS under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), and the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 (IPA). It is a required function under RIPA, maintaining a central record of authorities granted for activity under the legislation. CAB also oversees HMPPS use of case management systems used to record such activities, providing assurance to HM Commissioner of Investigatory Powers.   

This is an HQ post, based in London, and will require some travel to establishments, probation offices and SOCT regional offices as required.   

The post holders are responsible for day to day advice and support to the operational line in respect of the lawful deployment of covert resources; the quality assurance of all applications made under RIPA; inspections undertaken by the Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO), and act as a subject matter expert in the use of the central case management system. 

The role requires in depth knowledge of different legislations and internal policies relating to covert and overt tactics, escalating as required to managers to take forward where concerns are identified. It requires the post holder to have an understanding of risk management in order to contribute to the security of prison establishments, protect the public, and to protect HMPPS from unlawful use of its powers under RIPA/IPA. 

Post holder will need good attention to detail skills as they will be responsible for undertaking quality assessments of applications submitted by prisons. They will need to be confident and assertive in the delivery of this feedback and ensure that the views of the CAB are upheld. Regular contact with prisons and Law Enforcement Partners will be expected.   

The post holders require a high level of proficiency with IT systems, both as users, and providing support in the administration of IT systems for which the CAB hold responsibility. This includes acting as Subject Matter experts for the case management system, at the time of writing known as Charter, or any successor system. Full training on all systems will be provided.  

 At this present time there is no expectation of line management responsibility, however the post holder will be responsible for training, and tasking admin support staff who contribute to CAB work as part of their wider responsibilities for NIU.
 

Summary

The specialist administrative role provides expert advice and guidance to front line operational staff in the use of powers available to HMPPS for investigating criminal activity in prisons and probation operations. Quality assurance of all applications for deployment of covert activity and surveillance is completed by the post holder, ensuring that compliance with legislation and internal policies is observed, and recorded accurately.   

The post holder will also oversee ongoing use of a case management system being implemented across the prison estate for the administration of applications, including contributing to configuration design, training design, and delivery of training sessions to operational staff in the use of the system. 

Due to the nature of the role, the post holder is required to hold a minimum of National Security Vetting at Security Clearance (SC) level before taking up the post, and potentially may be asked to complete Developed Vetting (DV).
 

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:  
  • Quality assure all applications for deployment of powers under RIPA 2000, liaising with Applicants and Authorising Officers to ensure compliance with legislation and HMPPS policy.
  • Maintain and update the central record of applications, ensuring that management and performance information is available to managers on request, and highlighting any compliance issues in a timely fashion.
  • Monitoring and supporting the administration of authorities once granted, to ensure that they are reviewed, renewed or cancelled in line with requirements.
  • Staffing a helpline, which is available out of normal office hours, for which an on-call allowance will be provided.
  • Provide policy advice on HMPPS use of intelligence, investigatory powers and related issues to front line staff, escalating to managers where required.
  • Support inspection of HMPPS establishments, and the agency overall by IPCO, through liaising with prisons to identify dates for inspections, oversight of recommendation and issues, and provision of material for inspection as required.
  • Support the CAB Manager, and the SOCT Operational Security Advisor in identifying and reviewing potential relevant errors in the use of surveillance or investigatory powers.
  • Manage the CAB functional mailbox, to ensure that queries are dealt with, or directed elsewhere as required, to ensure efficient management of CAB business. This will include tasking of non-dedicated admin support, in liaison with the NIU Business Manager.
  • Support the administration of IT systems required for the deployment of covert tactics, including Charter, BT Pins and any other system identified as being within the scope of the unit.
  • Work with CAB manager in delivery of identified Business Change projects as required, either as project support, or leading on a project to specified timescales and quality standards.
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.
  

Behaviours

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

Ability

  • English; spoken and written
  • Able to use standard work based office packages, such as Microsoft Office
  • Training delivery
  • Administrative skills commensurate with grade
  • Legislative knowledge and knowledge of prison operating environment can be provided once in post.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further 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 suitable 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. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.

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 and 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

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

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. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

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 to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for 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 (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

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
Candidates requiring any further information on this role should contact Premdip.Dhillon@justice.gov.uk

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 16627

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference: 16627

Allowance

On Call allowance is applicable subject to training requirement

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Leadership

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC - In Person- 102 Petty France
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Other 1
Other - Assessment Title 1
Short Quality Assurance Assessment
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard
Security Clearance (SC)

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

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.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.