NPS Job Description (JD)
NPS Band A
Directorate: National Probation Service
Job Description: Head of Unpaid Work
Document Ref.
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
26/02/2021
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0
NPS Job Description
Job Title
Head of Unpaid Work
Directorate
National Probation Service
Band
Band A
Overview of the job
The Head of Unpaid Work leads the delivery of Unpaid Work service delivery,
including sentence management for standalone Unpaid Work cohort, for an allocated
geographical area of operations within the region. and
They will support the Head of NPS Interventions by providing, dedicated leadership
and management for Unpaid Work.
Summary
The post holder will provide management with responsibility for resources and the
strategic and operational direction, for an allocated geographical area of operations
within the region.
Provision of quality sentence management for Service Users within the Unpaid Work
Cohort to support achieving outcomes on reducing reoffending.
Provision of a demand led quality service delivery for all Service Users subject to Unpaid
Work requirements, which provides a pro-social environment that promotes
compliance and achieves positive outcomes for beneficiary organisations and local
communities
Improves performance and quality of Unpaid Work delivery on a continuous basis to
ensure service is responsive to the needs of Service Users and the wider business.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and partners to
coordinate delivery, meet statutory responsibilities and reduce reoffending.
Responsibilities,
• Lead management and planning of resources across the geographic area of
Activities & Duties
responsibility to ensure the most efficient means of service delivery are
deployed, effectively aligning resources to demand
• Identify service requirements and ensure the appropriate range of placements
are in place for identified needs, risk categories and protected characteristics
and used appropriately
• Oversee robust placement and beneficiary management, including development
and implementation of individual, local and national placement contracts.
• Design and lead assurance of operational performance and quality, leading
improvements or decommissioning of placements where necessary.
• Lead engagement with local stakeholders to influence plans/strategies, improve
local services, source placements and create opportunities for innovative
solutions.
• Secure income generation opportunities and make reinvestment decisions in
line with priorities
• Ensure all operational and sentence management Unpaid Work staff are trained
to relevant and appropriate level.
• Manage Unpaid Work resources budget for geographic area of responsibility
and, where required, the authorisation of expenditure.
• Ensure alignment and adherence with sentence management policy and
practices.
• Ensure that all Unpaid Work operations meet health and safety requirements,
supported by a culture that protects employees, service users, beneficiaries and
public at all times.
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0
• Ensure appropriate quality and assurance processes are in place to support
standalone Unpaid Work sentence management delivery.
• Ensure all aspects of the business adhere to legal and organisational
requirements such as diversity and inclusion and data protection, including,
where appropriate with stakeholders.
• Seek, monitor and analyse data, including from service users and beneficiaries,
to inform continuous improvement of services.
• Facilitate external scrutiny through Operational and System Assurance Group
and HMI Probation, and responding to recommendations.
• Promote Unpaid Work externally to sentencers, community and statutory
organisations, media and the public to increase visibility.
• Promote Unpaid Work internally as a credible intervention for both punishment
and rehabilitation.
• Oversee staff grievance, capability and disciplinary investigations and seek
prompt resolution where appropriate.
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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium
of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Behaviours
• Managing a Quality Service
• Leadership
• Making effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential Experience
• Experience within Unpaid Work delivery.
• Experience of planning and managing complex logistical delivery.
• Experience of effectively and efficiently managing financial and physical
resources.
• Extensive experience of effectively leading, managing and motivating staff
• Experience dealing with complex disciplinary or grievance-related matters in
accordance with HR process and practice.
• Experience of successfully building and managing strategic and working
relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Experience of successfully managing the performance of teams and
individuals to achieve high working standards.
• Experience of managing delivery in line with health & safety legal
requirements.
Technical
Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. management) or significant equivalent
requirements
professional experience.
Ability
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0
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 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
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
To be used by the JES Team only
Allowances
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Leadership
Experience
of
planning
and Level 5 qualification in a relevant subject
managing
complex
logistical (e.g. management) or significant
delivery.
equivalent professional experience.
Making Effective Decisions
Experience of effectively and
efficiently managing financial and
physical resources.
Delivering at Pace
Extensive experience of effectively
leading, managing and motivating
staff
Changing and Improving
Experience dealing with complex
disciplinary or grievance-related
matters in accordance with HR
process and practice.
Working Together
Experience of successfully building
and managing strategic and working
relationships with internal and
external stakeholders and partners.
Managing a Quality Service
Experience
of
successfully
managing the performance of
teams and individuals to achieve
high working standards.
Experience of managing delivery in
line with health & safety legal
requirements
Experience within Unpaid Work
delivery.
NPS-JES-0093 Head of Unpaid Work v1.0