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General Information

Salary
£37,238 - £44,520
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Barnstaple, Bath, Bournemouth, Bridgwater, Bristol, Camborne, Chippenham, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, St Austell, Swindon, Taunton, Torquay, Truro, Weston-super-Mare, Weymouth, Yeovil
Region
South West
Closing Date
29-Aug-2026
Business Unit
NPS South West Performance and Quality (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
2
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20766

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

The E&I team will be responsible for optimising the use of the resource available to the NPS. This includes: resource management, identify and coordinating efficiency priorities and business development activity. In Wales these roles will go further than Probation efficiency – they will also include prison / probation integration.

Summary

The Efficiency Team Member will support the Efficiency and Innovation Lead in delivering and managing efficiency and innovation projects.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties 

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

Efficiency project support

•             Collate service standard information regarding services provided nationally by the NPS to ensure that they are delivered in accordance with the service delivery indicators and specifications

•             Support the creation of an activity-based costing model for the NPS

•             Maintain the cost model and ensure that it is up-to-date

•             Report regularly from the cost model, identifying areas which are above or below budget

•             Assist in the preparation of annual cost budgets for the NPS

•             Report on the success of efficiency initiatives to deliver against cost reduction targets

•             Develop action plans/new processes  for new projects to address inadequate performance and areas of waste in the organisation

•             Support the team in ensuring that the NPS spends public money wisely and delivers cost savings.

•             Manage projects as required

Plan and organise

•             Support development of programme formation and implementation

•             Contribute to planning, implementation and management of sharing knowledge and good practice to inform innovation and improve service delivery across the organisation

Use communication effectively

•             Providing information, feedback and advice 

•             Influencing and persuading 

•             Using appropriate skills, styles and approaches

Enhance own performance

•             Manage own resources and professional development

Use information to take critical decisions

•             Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, using systems and compiling reports as necessary

•             Develop and utilise data to identify trends and make suggestions or take appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance

•             Plan, implement and manage systems for the exchange of sensitive information, data and intelligence

Manage Diversity and Quality

•             Contribute to a culture and systems that promote equality and value diversity

•             Adhere to the diversity policies of the service and collaborate as appropriate

               with the Equalities and Diversity Unit

Manage Quality

•             Contribute to continuous quality improvement

Manage Projects

•             Deliver project responsibilities as required

•             Maintain effective communication with project 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

•             Changing and Improving

•             Working Together

•             Delivering at Pace

•             Making Effective Decisions

•             Managing a Quality Service

Essential Experience

Demonstrate experience of successfully identifying and improving efficiency of an organisation, demonstrate experience of project planning, and demonstrate experience of finance and budgeting.

Technical requirements

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience).

Financial Analysis, Microsoft: Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or equivalent i.e. Lotus Notes)

Additional Information

As an Efficiency and Improvement Team Member, you will work directly with Business Units and regional teams to support the delivery of improvement activity across the South West. You'll provide practical project support, undertake research and analysis, coordinate workshops and improvement initiatives, and help implement solutions that improve ways of working, increase efficiency and support the delivery of regional priorities. This is a unique opportunity to join a new team focused on helping colleagues turn ideas into action and deliver meaningful improvements across the region.

Please make sure that you are using the STAR method when answering the interview questions. 

 

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering interview questions by outlining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of your experiences. 

 

Statement of suitability - A statement of suitability (max 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience evidence of your suitability for this role in reference to the essential criteria.

 

Sifting on a lead behaviour - Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour, (changing and improving). Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to full sift, or progress straight to interview. 

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
Please refer to the job description attached and contact Ashley Grace (ashley.grace@justice.gov.uk) should you need any clarification regarding this role.

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 20766

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Changing and Improving, 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
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
In your statement of suitability, please provide examples that demonstrate your experience of
supporting service improvement, using information or data to identify opportunities, and
working collaboratively to deliver positive outcomes.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Please provide evidence of your NVQ Level 4 qualification (or equivalent practical experience) and describe how you have used financial information and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, to analyse data, produce reports and support business or service improvements

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
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.