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General Information

Salary
£46,746 - £48,760. In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment which will be discussed at interview.
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
23-Aug-2026
Business Unit
London Probation Service
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
7
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20424

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Are you an experienced operational leader who can motivate teams, lead a dispersed workforce, manage performance and deliver high-quality public services in a complex environment? We are seeking full time confident middle managers to lead the delivery of Unpaid Work across a district, ensuring services are safe, purposeful, accessible and effective in supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending. Reporting to the Head of Unpaid Work, the post holder will provide visible leadership to a mobile and dispersed team working across a seven-day service. The role requires strong people management, strong communication skills, sound judgement, partnership working and a commitment to delivering services that meet court requirements, health and safety standards and organisational priorities. The role will include out-of-hours and weekend working to ensure management support is available for lone-working staff and operational delivery.

 About the role

As Unpaid Work Operations Manager, you will ensure the requirements of the court are delivered through the assessment, planning and oversight of a diverse range of purposeful work placements. These placements must meet health and safety requirements, maximise accessibility and the demand and respond to the diverse needs of people on probation. You will work in partnership with internal colleagues, external agencies and local stakeholders to ensure Unpaid Work services are delivered to a high standard, meet performance expectations and support positive outcomes for people on probation and the communities they serve. This is a key middle-management role, responsible for leading people, improving practice, managing risk and creating a safe, inclusive and performance-focused working environment.

 Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake a range of responsibilities, including:

  • Provide effective leadership and management to a dispersed operational team, taking accountability for performance, quality of practice and service delivery.
  • Ensure the safe and effective delivery of court orders, managing associated risks including public protection, staff safety, organisational risk and reputational impact.
  • Maintain effective links with risk management and multi-agency forums, ensuring appropriate oversight of placements and operational decisions.
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to raise awareness of Unpaid Work and strengthen confidence in service delivery.
  • Build and maintain relationships with community partners, local authorities, community safety partnerships and other agencies to develop meaningful placement opportunities.
  • Work collaboratively with Unpaid Work Sentence management to meet the demand and needs of UPW requirements.
  • Provide management oversight of placement suitability, including arrangements for people who present higher levels of risk or have additional needs.
  • Recruit, support and develop staff, proactively managing performance, attendance, employee relations and diversity matters in line with HR policies.
  • Lead continuous improvement in service quality, operational efficiency and partnership working.
  • Oversee asset, fleet and equipment management, ensuring resources are aligned to demand and used effectively.
  • Work with health and safety colleagues, committees and trade union representatives to ensure safe working practices, investigate concerns and implement improvements.
  • Promote Unpaid Work to stakeholders

These duties and responsibilities listed are not exhaustive. The Job holder may be required to accept and undertake reasonable additional duties and/or tasks appropriate to the level of the role, in line with business and organisational needs. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

 Behaviours    

  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Leadership

 What we are looking for

  • A visible and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to motivate, support and develop others.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills, including the ability to work confidently with partners and stakeholders.
  • Sound decision-making skills and the ability to manage competing operational demands.
  • A commitment to delivering a quality service at pace while maintaining safety, fairness and professional standards.
  • The ability to work flexibly, as part of a team and wider department and on own initiative.
  • The ability to work collaboratively, champion diversity and promote an inclusive working environment.

Essential experience

  • Experience of managing staff working with challenging people in a practical or operational environment.
  • Understanding of the role of the Probation Service and Unpaid Work within the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-agency setting.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by victims of crime.
  • Experience of risk management and assessment, including an understanding of multi-agency risk assessment and management procedures.
  • Experience of working under pressure, meeting demanding deadlines and delivering against performance targets.
  • Evidence of managing or supporting change and improving quality, efficiency or service outcomes.
  • Well-developed IT skills, including the ability to interpret and apply performance information.
  • Experience of championing diversity, equality and inclusion in practice.
  • Experience of applying health and safety policies and procedures, with a working knowledge of relevant legislation.
  • Experience of effective administration, record keeping and information systems.

Technical requirements

  • Level 3 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health qualification, or equivalent, or the ability to achieve this within six months of appointment.
  • A valid UK manual driving licence.

Additional requirement

  • The ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English, or Welsh where specified in Wales.
  • A good level of written English

Allowance details

This post attracts a London allowance, which will be discussed at interview.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. 

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up 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.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

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 www.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

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
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 20424

Allowance

In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment for applicable locations which will be discussed at interview.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews are anticipated to take place in October 2026
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Developing Self and Others
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
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.