HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 8
Directorate: National Operational Services
Job Description: Key Threat Manager (Generic)
Document Ref.
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_ Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Unclassified
Date of Issue
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
HQ Job Description
Job Title
Key Threat Manager
Group / Directorate
Security Group / National Operational Services
Band
8
Overview of the job
This role sits within Security Group and is responsible for the delivery of programmes
of activity to address key strategic threats to operational security and stability in
prisons. Activity can be specific to one, more or all threats. The threats are currently
drugs, mobile phones, staff corruption, and intelligence.
It is HQ based but requires some travelling due to the wide geographical spread of
pilot projects and establishment visits, connected with the Key Threats.
The post has no direct line management responsibility but may be required to
oversee the work of other Key Threat Managers, other Security Group colleagues
and potentially operational staff seconded in for specific projects.
The post holder does not need to be operational however the business objectives of
the post are focused on supporting the operational frontline. The post therefore
requires strong understanding of the operational world, both custodial, policing and
more broadly.
Summary
The post holder is responsible for the maintenance, improvement and introduction
across some or all prisons of a range of measures to address key strategic prison
security threats.
Threats are identified through intelligence, by the operational line and/or are
Ministerial priorities. At present, the measures fall under four broad strands of work
? improve NOMS intelligence processes and policy;
? reduce the availability of drugs in prisons;
? reduce the availability of mobile phones in prisons; and
? prevent and tackle staff corruption
In relation to one or more threats, the post holder is responsible for the delivery of
all:
? Government and NOMS strategy;
? stakeholder management (internal and external; public and private
sectors);
? operational policy;
? advice to prisons;
? contract management;
? briefing (parliamentary questions (PQs), Freedom of Information requests
(FOIs), Minister’s Cases (MCs), Treat Official correspondence (TOs),
submissions);
? procurement; and
? the Agency’s interface with parliament, ministers, Whitehall and senior
officials.
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
In addition to responsibility for the standalone measures to address the threats, the
post holder is also responsible for working across the Agency and government to
ensure the threats are suitably addressed in other policies that may impact them but
on which the post holder does not lead. Examples of such policies, in light of the
current threats, are:
? searching;
? detection dogs;
? adjudications;
? visits;
? prisoner communications;
? prisoner property;
? law enforcement agencies; and
? the government drugs, alcohol, rehabilitation of offenders and organised
crime strategies.
As the intelligence picture develops and/or operational and Ministerial priorities
shift, the focus of the post holder’s efforts may need to change. The post holder
must be flexible such that their focus can be redirected to whichever threats are the
greatest at a given time. Potential future threats include gangs, organised crime
and/or Rule 39 abuse.
The post has no direct line management responsibility but may be required to
oversee the work of other Key Threat Managers, other Security Group colleagues
and potentially operational staff seconded in for specific projects. It reports to the
Head of Key Threats.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
Operational policy
In relation to one or more threats, responsible for maintaining, updating and
introducing operational policy to assist prisons addressing the threat(s), typically by
way of PSIs. Ensuring that policies and infrastructures are aligned with operational
need.
Operational Advice to prisons
In relation to one or more threats, responsible for regular operational policy,
support and good practice advice given to prisons to protect the integrity of existing
security infrastructure and enable delivery of key security initiatives
Advice can be given in person, via email/letter, over the telephone or by sending
global communications on current issues.
In relation to one or more key threats, assume the role of the national policy expert.
Good Practice
Responsible for ensuring good practice in relation to one or more threats is recorded
and shared with prisons appropriately.
Trials/projects
In relation to one or more threats, responsible for delivering trials of new
operational approaches to the threat(s). Examples include new mobile phone denial
or drugs detection technology and the drug free wings pilots. Including issuing
guidance and advice to prisons as to their operation, working with stakeholders
across NOMS, the third sector, private sector providers, CAST, OGDs, often to
remove barriers to progress. Supporting local project managers for these projects
and evaluating their success.
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
Technology/Science
Responsible for responding to technology providers looking to trial products in
prisons and/or sell to prisons. Involves close working with CAST, the NOMS Science
Advisor, law enforcement colleagues and the providers to ensure technology
deployed across prisons is effective and is used safely.
With science advisors and procurement colleagues, responsible for investigating new
technologies, particularly those that are portable/can be flexibly deployed.
Support the management of the NOMS Service Level Agreement with the Home
Office Centre for Applied Science & Technology (CAST). Working closely with the
NOMS Science Advisor.
Legislation/law/legal advice/litigation
Responsible for ensuring the legal risks associated with one or more threats, and the
policies in place to manage them, are properly understood and appropriately
addressed, advising senior managers on the way forward.
Where necessary, responsible for the passage of primary or secondary legislation to
equip prisons with new/refined powers to tackle one or more threats.
In relation to one or more all threats, respond to litigation from prisoners of
members of the public in relation to any of the areas above, including instructing
MoJ lawyers, Treasury Solicitor and/or counsel. Ensure HQ assists in the
management of judicial reviews, litigation, at Inquests, and other high profile
investigations including where necessary drafting witness statements or
contributions to others.
Training courses
Responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of
training curriculum in relation to one or more key threats.
Contract management/procurement
Manage contracts relating to one or more threats as required. Some of these are
complex and valuable such as the MDT contract (£1.8m pa).
Monitoring prisons’ spend under various contracts.
Responsible for the procurement of replacement contracts as they expire and also
for new equipment/service to be provided by the private sector - drafting
specifications, evaluating bids, supporting procurement colleagues, working with
other government colleagues.
Stakeholder Management
The point of contact for other government department (OGD) colleagues for one or
more threats, working closely with them. All of the threats are areas of significant
Ministerial and government interest, particularly the Home Office Drug Strategy
Unit, RIPA Policy Team and Strategic Centre for Organised Crime, the Department of
Health’s Offender Health Unit and the Cabinet Office/No. 10.
In relation to one or more threats, liaise with a range of stakeholders, internal and
external, private and public sector, and manage working relationships with them in
relation any of the areas above. Includes Ofcom, statutory commissioners, HMCIP,
OGDs, Mobile Network Operators, Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) and CAST.
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
Briefings
In relation to one or more threats, submit briefings, submissions, PQs, Tos, MCs and
FOIs in relation to any of the key threats, including the collection, collation and
calculation of relevant data.
Other duties
As required, represent line manager and on occasion the Head of Group at meetings
and briefings.
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.
Competencies
The 4 Competency Framework clusters and their respective 15 competency indicators
are shown below:
Setting Direction:
Seeing the Big Picture; Changing & Improving: Making Effective Decisions
Delivering Results:
Achieving Commercial Outcomes; Delivering Value for Money; Managing a Quality
Service: Delivering at Pace
Engaging People:
Leading and Communicating; Collaborating and Partnering; Building Capability for All
NOMS Specific Skills and Behaviours:
Achieving a Safe, Decent and Secure Environment; Showing Drive and Resilience;
Caring; Persuading and Influencing; Acts with Integrity
In choosing competencies to recruit to, the recruiting manager should select around
4, but no more than 6 competency areas to include in the advert.
There may be additional professional competencies a Recruiting Manager will also
need to include if recruiting for one of the designated Civil Service Professions e.g. HR,
Health & Safety, Statistical Service, IT.
Please refer to the Civil Service Learning Portal - Professions Page for further details.
https://civilservicelearning.civilservice.gov.uk/learning/
NB: you need to be registered on Civil Service Learning to access the portal pages.
Minimum 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
NOMS
? All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or
organisation which the Prison Service consider to be racist
Essential Skills/
Qualifications/
Accreditation/
Registration
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0
Hours of Work and
Allowances
OR‐JES‐HQ‐0639_Key Threat Manager (Generic)_v1.0