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This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary
The national salary is £54,148. London salary is £57,580 - £59,366. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Cross Government
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
19-Aug-2026
Business Unit
Director of Rehabilitation Services
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
20771

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 7

Within the Rehabilitation & Change Directorate of HMPPS HQ, the Employment, Skills and Education (ESE) division aims to drive up employment outcomes on release, improve the quality and quantity of purposeful activity in prisons, and enhance efficiency and quality in Offender Management administrative hubs.

In doing so, we seek to be transformational and maximise the opportunities presented by digital technology. The division includes ESE Digital Strategy, Prison Industries Operations and Strategy, Education and Skills Strategy, New Futures Network, and Creating Future Opportunities.

This vacancy sits within the ESE Digital Innovations team, which leads digital transformation across education, skills and employment services. We develop and deliver innovative digital products and pilots to improve rehabilitation outcomes, working at the intersection of policy, operations, technology and security. Our portfolio includes hybrid and in-cell learning, digital education platforms, emerging technologies, and the Innovation Catalyst Programme, which explores how new technologies can transform learning and employment services in prisons.

Role Overview

The Digital Innovation Manager will be responsible for delivering a portfolio of digital innovation projects that transform education, skills and employment services across prisons through the effective use of technology. Working within one of Government's most complex operational environments, the postholder will manage the development, testing and implementation of innovative digital solutions, ensuring they are deliverable, secure and meet operational needs.

Working across policy, operational prisons, Justice Digital, Cyber Security, Commercial and external suppliers, the postholder will coordinate delivery activity, manage competing priorities and navigate governance processes to support the successful implementation of new technologies.

The role requires someone who is comfortable working in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex problems and can build effective relationships across multiple disciplines to deliver meaningful change.

This role is ideally suited to someone with experience of digital delivery who is looking to apply their skills in a challenging and rewarding environment, helping shape the future of digital education within prisons.

The successful candidate will manage a varied portfolio of digital innovation projects, working with colleagues across HMPPS, Justice Digital, operational prisons and external partners to turn innovative ideas into practical, user-centred services that improve outcomes for prisoners and staff.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation and Digital Delivery

  • Manage a portfolio of digital innovation projects that support improvements to education, skills and employment services.
  • Deliver agreed workstreams within the Innovation Catalyst Programme, supporting the identification, testing and evaluation of new technologies.
  • Coordinate pilot activity, ensuring lessons learned are captured and used to inform future delivery.
  • Monitor progress, risks and dependencies across projects, escalating issues where appropriate.
  • Support the development of business cases, options appraisals and recommendations for senior leaders.

Stakeholder Management

  • Build effective working relationships with colleagues across Justice Digital, operational prisons, Cyber Security, Commercial, policy teams and suppliers.
  • Coordinate stakeholder engagement to support delivery across multiple organisations and professions.
  • Represent the team at meetings and governance forums, providing clear updates on delivery progress, risks and issues.
  • Work collaboratively to resolve delivery challenges and identify practical solutions.

Digital Products and Services

  • Leading the delivery of the hybrid learning content pilot and the in-cell device reprocurement strategy, as well as supporting the implementation of other innovative digital education services, including the streamed education pilot and virtual reality pilot.
  • Work alongside technical specialists to ensure solutions meet security, accessibility and operational requirements.
  • Support procurement and transition activity associated with future digital education services.
  • Monitor implementation activity, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Governance and Performance

  • Prepare high quality briefing material, reports and board papers for senior stakeholders.
  • Support financial monitoring across the portfolio, ensuring expenditure is managed appropriately.
  • Maintain project documentation, delivery plans, RAID logs and governance products in collaboration with Project Delivery Team colleagues.
  • Ensure projects comply with relevant digital governance, assurance and security processes.
  • Contribute to the development of policy and guidance relating to innovative education technologies.

Essential Experience

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

  • A good understanding of digital delivery methodologies and working within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience building productive relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver at pace.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports and briefing material for senior audiences.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify practical solutions to complex issues.
  • Experience managing risks, issues and dependencies within project or programme environments.

Desirable Experience

  • Direct experience delivering digital products, services or technology-enabled change projects.

Person Specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following behaviours and attributes:

  • A genuine interest in digital innovation and improving public services through technology.
  • Resilience and adaptability when working in complex or changing environments.
  • Confidence working with ambiguity and managing competing priorities.
  • Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to influence without direct authority.
  • A collaborative approach, working effectively across organisational boundaries.
  • Sound judgement, attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high quality outcomes.
  • A proactive approach to identifying opportunities, resolving problems and continuously improving services. 

In line with our hybrid working policy, employees must be present in the office for at least 60% of their working hours, which generally equates to three days per week. 

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 can contact Jessica Atkins via email: Jessica.Atkins@justice.gov.uk for further information / discussion of role in advance of applying. 

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 - 20771

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Making Effective Decisions
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
Please outline why you believe your experience, skills and abilities make you a suitable candidate for the position, referring to the job description and additional role information within the job advert.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
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.