Skip to content

General Information

Salary
£28,064 - £33,549
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Swansea
Region
Wales
Closing Date
07-Jul-2026
Business Unit
PDU Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
19181

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title: Senior Administrative Officer 

Overview of the job

This is a co-ordination and senior administrative role in the Divisional office, Function / Cluster local offices. The jobholder will provide corporate support office-based activities to support the work of the Divisional and operational teams. The jobholder acts as an interface between the Hub Manager, Business Manager and colleagues and other partners on a wide range of issues. The job holder will report to the Hub Manager in Divisional offices and Business Manager in Function or Cluster offices and will have line management responsibilities for Administrative Assistants, Case Administrators and other administrative staff 

Summary 

The purpose of the role is to ensure efficient and effective business support and operational administrative services are provided to the Division, Function or Cluster. The jobholder will support the Business Manager to ensure effective compliance with Health, Safety and Fire Regulations, acting as Single Point of Contact / Estates Liaison Officer for the buildings from which they operate. 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 

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties 

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: 

Management Support

  • Development and implementation of business administration systems, databases and recording systems to support operational probation delivery.
  • Preparation and collation of a range of documentation for a variety of purposes to support effective divisional, functional or cluster business activity and operational probation delivery
  • Maintenance of ( or supporting the relevant Business Manager to maintain) Divisional, functional or cluster Registers such as Serious Further Offences, Freedom of Information, Accidents, Complaints, inputting data, monitoring agreed probation processes and ensuring completion in specified timescales
  • Collection and distribution of monies to/from Imprest, and maintenance of related records.
  • Act as Vetting Contact Point for the relevant division, function or cluster
  • Monitor Travel Warrants, Bus passes, cheque book requests and assist with Purchase Orders where required, and within the agreed procurement arrangements
  • Attend meetings and events to represent the relevant Business Manager as agreed from time to time 
Health, Safety & Fire
  • Ensure the timely reporting of problems, including repairs, defects and security issues with the building(s) to facilities contractors and maintain progress to reach satisfactory conclusions and ensure equipment is in good working order.
  • Undertake and co-ordinate health and safety risk assessments, fire drills and ergonomic assessments at the relevant sites, or ensure they are undertaken. Reporting issues locally and to the Divisional HS&F Manager. Maintaining registers and coordinating training.
  • Act as Cardinus Assessor, First Aider and Fire Warden and take forward actions to deal with local issues arising from incidents and DSE Assessments, or ensure that there are sufficient people able to undertake these roles at the relevant sites. 
Effectively Manage and Develop staff
  • To provide effective management and leadership to the team
  • To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues 
  • Contribute to relevant training and development events as a trainer
  • Support recruitment activity for relevant posts within the cluster/division 
Use communication effectively
  • Write reports to support the effective operation of the Division/Cluster/Function
  • Participate in meetings where appropriate, using appropriate skills, styles and approaches
  • Contribute to the management of the Division/Cluster/Function 
Enhance your own performance
  • Manage own resources and take responsibility for own professional development 
Use information to take critical decisions
  • Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, developing systems and compiling reports as necessary . Using data to identify trends and taking appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance.
  • Ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken towards the maintenance, security and confidentiality of written and electronically stored material, in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act and Information Security Policies and Procedures.
  • To ensure that all team resources, , are deployed cost effectively and provide best value
  • Undertake (or support locally if the role is held divisionally) the Knowledge and Information Liaison Officer role offering advice and guidance to OMs in completing such requests and work with Data Access Compliance Unit to complete responses. Acting as Record Retrieval Requestor in line with divisional, function or cluster arrangements.
  • Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
  • To work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS 
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.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Behaviours 

  • Changing and Improving 
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Developing Self and Others 
Essential Experience 
  • Demonstrate previous administration experience, and experience of providing a wide range of management support activities 
  • Evidence of providing support and assistance to colleagues in delivering a quality service. 
Technical requirements 
  • NVQ Level 2 or equivalent 
  • GCSE Grade A-C in English and Maths (or equivalent) 
  • IT Skills; Microsoft: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or 
  • equivalent i.e. Lotus Notes) 
Additional Information

Please note that all salaries are as advertised and are non-negotiable, for new starters joining the service you will commence at the bottom of the scale. If you have any concerns regarding the salary range, please ensure these are raised during the interview process.

 

HMPPS in Wales: 

 

Preventing victims by changing lives 

HMPPS in Wales works in an integrated way to keep communities in Wales safer and to give the people we work with the opportunity to change their lives. We commission and provide offender management services in the community and in custody to deliver the orders of the courts and support rehabilitation. Our aim is to deliver outstanding, seamless offender management services in Wales that protect the public, reduce reoffending, deliver value for money and support our partners.

 

The Welsh Language Scheme

Welsh Language skills for this post are desirable.

 

 

HMPPS yng Nghymru:  

 

Atal pobl rhag dod yn ddioddefwyr trwy newid bywydau

Mae HMPPS yng Nghymru yn gweithio mewn ffordd integredig i gadw cymunedau yng Nghymru yn fwy diogel, a rhoi cyfle i’r pobol rydym yn gweithio â hwy i newid eu bywydau.  Rydym yn comisiynu a darparu gwasanaethau rheoli troseddwyr yn y gymuned a’r carchar i weithredu gorchmynion y llysoedd a chefnogi adsefydlu.  Ein nod yw darparu gwasanaethau rheoli troseddwyr ardderchog ac esmwyth yng Nghymru sy’n gwarchod y cyhoedd, lleihau aildroseddu, cynnig gwerth am arian a chefnogi ein partneriaid.

 

Y Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg

 

Mae sgiliau iaith Gymraeg yn ddymunol ar gyfer y swydd hon.

 

 

 

Would you like the opportunity to be part of a culture that impacts changing lives? At HMPPS Wales, we can offer you the opportunity to make a difference to wider society. You’ll experience job and personal satisfaction whilst also reaping the organisational rewards and benefits. From attractive holiday allowance, promotion opportunities, access to training, flexible working, generous maternity and employer contribution pension scheme. These are to list just a few, want to know more? Apply for that job now.

 

 

Hoffech chi’r cyfle i fod yn rhan o ddiwylliant sy’n helpu i newid bywydau? Yng Ngwasanaeth Carchardai a Phrawf Ei Mawrhydi Cymru, gallwn roi’r cyfle i chi wneud gwahaniaeth i gymdeithas yn ehangach. Bydd yn cynnig boddhad personol a boddhad mewn swydd, a gallwch hefyd elwa ar fanteision a buddion o fewn y sefydliad, megis lwfans gwyliau deniadol, cyfleoedd dyrchafiad, mynediad at hyfforddiant, trefniadau gweithio hyblyg, buddion mamolaeth a chyfraniadau pensiwn hael gan gyflogwr. Nid yw hon yn rhestr gynhwysfawr - eisiau gwybod mwy? Gwnewch gais am y swydd nawr.

 

 

 

 

 

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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:

 

  1. To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
  2. To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);
  3. To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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.

Contact Information
 

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

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

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
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.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

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.