NPS Job Description (JD)
NPS Band C
Directorate: National Probation Service
Job Description: Head of Operational Function
Document Ref.
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
Document Type
Management
Version
4.0
Classification
Official - Sensitive
Date of Issue
10/7/2019
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
Change History
Date
Version
Nature of Change
Edited by
Sections Affected
Success Profiles
All
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
NPS Job Description
Job Title
Head of Operational Function
Directorate
National Probation Service
Band
C
Overview of the job
Heads of Operational Functions are deployed to a variety of roles so as to provide
leadership of staff and operations.
Summary
To provide management and leadership within the National Probation Service(NPS)
with responsibility for resources and the operational and strategic direction and
management of the Service within a Local Delivery Unit (LDU) or any other
operational unit and/or functional area of activity.
To represent the Deputy Director with external agencies/Stakeholders and staff as
appropriate.
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.
May be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.
Responsibilities,
Heads of Operational Function may be required to undertake any combination, or all,
Activities & Duties
of the duties and responsibilities set out below.
? Lead, innovate and develop local strategies in line with the national strategic
framework
? Effectively lead cluster operational delivery and contribute corporately to
national operational delivery and priorities
? Lead the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate
representation within wider partnership frameworks
? Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings in
line with delegated functional lead and decision making responsibilities.
? Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures
outlined in the budget delegation
? Manage competing demands within (geographical) area of responsibility
? Responsible for the various functions across the division; including line
management of middle managers.
? Manage resources effectively.
? Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in
conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of
MAPPA level 3 meetings
? To make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders
where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g.
authorising the recall of offenders to prison
? Oversight of the management of complaints within the Operational Function
and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary
? Undertake all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices including
overseeing local recruitment, Attendance Management, Disciplinary
Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals, chair
grievance and other hearings.
? Work effectively with your respective Divisional Senior Leadership Team and
take lead responsibility nationally for specific projects/portfolios
? Deputise for the Deputy Director as required in the LDU / operational unit
functional area of activity
? Work with MOJ/NOMS Communications on a range of products
? Implement NOMS equality strategy
? Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are
undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility
towards Health and Safety compliance
? Carry out agency responsibilities for victims.
? Carry out safeguarding children duties in accordance with the NPS statutory
responsibilities and agency policies
? Discharge estates responsibilities for Head of Operational Function
? Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social
behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes.
? Work within the aims and values of NPS and NOMS
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not
exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration sand
additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may
require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first
instance with the job holder.
Behaviours
? Leadership
? Communicating and Influencing
? Making Effective Decisions
? Managing a Quality Service
? Delivering at Pace
? Changing and Improving
? Working Together
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8
Essential Experience
? Significant experience at middle manager level, holding relevant
responsibilities in at least two different settings.
? Substantial experience of line management of staff, including supervision,
appraisal and motivating.
? Lead monitoring performance in area of responsibility against pre-
determined targets and if necessary effect significant improvements.
? Responsibility for budgetary control to support local operational
requirements.
? Strategic operational planning through effective deployment of available
resources and staff to meet operational demands.
? Manage people and projects (applying project management techniques) to
implement significant change/practice improvements.
? Working with key local agencies and stakeholders to develop strong partner
relationships.
? Preparing high level written reports
? Experience of delivering presentations to multi-agency audiences and large
groups
? Experience of working under pressure and to tight deadlines.
? Experience of managing people through organisational change
? Experience of successfully managing relationships including where there is
conflict.
? Experience of contributing to the development of strategic business plans to
achieve improved service delivery
? Experience of making complex risk management and public protection
decisions
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium
of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
Technical
? Essential where the post holder has line management of operational units
requirements
responsible for the supervision and/or risk management of offenders:
? Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in
Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the
Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management
Act 2007.
? The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously
recognised as providing such eligibility:
? Diploma in Probation Studies,
? Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
? CQSW (with Probation Option.)
? Knowledge of Health and Safety and Equalities legislation.
? Knowledge of the wider Criminal Justice System.
? Current knowledge of effective practice in managing risk and reducing
reoffending
Ability
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
? 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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
Success Profile
Behaviours
Strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
Significant experience at middle
Probation Qualification Framework
It is advised strengths
manager level, holding relevant
Graduate Diploma/ Honours Degree in
Leadership
are chosen locally,
responsibilities in at least two
Community Justice integrated with Level
recommended 4-8
different settings.
5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
Or a qualification which was recognised
at the time of qualification by the
Secretary of State for Justice as per
Section 10 of the Offender Management
Act 2007.The following qualifications
gained in England and Wales were
previously recognised as providing such
Substantial experience of line
eligibility:
management of staff, including
Communicating and Influencing
supervision, appraisal and
? Diploma in Probation Studies,
motivating
? Diploma in Social Work (with
Probation Option)
? CQSW (with Probation Option)
? Diploma in Probation Studies,
? Diploma in Social Work (with
Probation Option)
? CQSW (with Probation Option)
Lead monitoring performance in
area of responsibility against pre-
Knowledge of the wider Criminal Justice
Making Effective Decisions
determined targets and if
System.
necessary effect significant
improvements
Responsibility for budgetary
Knowledge of Health and Safety and
Managing a Quality Service
control to support local operational
Equalities legislation
requirements
Strategic operational planning
Current knowledge of effective practice
Delivering at Pace
through effective deployment of
in managing risk and reducing
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0
available resources and staff to
reoffending
meet operational demands
Manage people and projects
(applying project management
Changing and Improving
techniques) to implement
significant change/practice
improvements
Working with key local agencies
Working Together
and stakeholders to develop strong
partner relationships
Preparing high level written reports
Experience of delivering
presentations to multi-agency
audiences and large groups
Experience of working under
pressure and to tight deadlines
Experience of successfully
managing relationships including
where there is conflict
Experience of contributing to the
development of strategic business
plans to achieve improved service
delivery
Experience of making complex risk
management and public protection
decisions
NPS-JES-0034_ Head of Operational Function_v4.0