NPS Job Description (JD)
NPS Pay Band D
Directorate: National Probation Service
Job Description: Head of Operations
Document Ref.
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
15 October 2020
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
NPS Job Description
Job Title
Head of Operations
Directorate
National Probation Service
Band
NPS Pay Band D
Overview of the job
The post holder will be responsible for operational delivery by the NPS within the
region. The job holder will report to the Regional Director and have line management
responsibility for a number of Heads of Local Delivery Unit (LDU) Clusters and the
Public Protection function in each region. In larger regions, there will be more than
one post holder and responsibility for LDUs will be divided between post holders.
Summary
The post holder will provide operational direction for the NPS within the region,
overseeing and joining up services across several LDU Clusters to ensure an
integrated system that delivers on the purpose of probation: to protect the public and
reduce reoffending. A key objective will be to ensure that high performance is
consistent across LDUs. They will be responsible for strategic direction of the
interface with courts and sentencers, as well as key public protection functions such
as victims, safeguarding and MAPPA. Working with the Regional Director, they will
contribute to the development of strategic objectives across the probation region and
operationalise these within the delivery arm of the business.
The post holder will ensure that any action plans developed by the Performance and
Quality function are implemented in the operational line in a timely manner,
embedding a culture of continuous improvement and actively addressing
underperformance. They will implement national operational policies and
procedures, using an overview of the whole region to identify and address areas of
underperformance, ambiguity or inconsistency. The job holder will provide assurance
to the Regional Director that the necessary processes are in place and being adhered
to in relation to both operational and corporate responsibilities. They will
demonstrate inspirational, confident and empowering leadership, supporting the
Regional Director in driving an inclusive and positive culture for the region. They will
collaborate with external partners at a regional or sub-regional level and represent
the Regional Director 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 work proactively to deliver the
recommendations of the Lammy Report and implement the strategic framework for
working with female offenders.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential
nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.
They may be required to participate in out of hours senior management on call rota.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities & Duties
and duties:
? Line manage a number of ‘Heads of Function’ who are responsible for
operational delivery in the LDU Clusters and Public Protection.
? Hold senior leaders to account for the performance of their LDU Clusters and
Public Protection teams, ensuring that consistent and high standards are
maintained and taking effective action to address deficits.
? Develop and implement regional strategies in line with the national strategic
framework.
? Work with senior leaders to ensure a holistic approach to delivery against
the strategic direction set by the Regional Director.
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
? Provide advice and make ultimate decisions on the management of
offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is
necessary.
? Provide assurance to the Regional Director that systems are in place to
manage, monitor and escalate critical cases. Ensure that senior managers,
Ministers and Press Office are provided with prompt and accurate
information on high profile and sensitive cases that will have a bearing on
the reputation of the organisation.
? Lead strategic work on delivering services to the Courts, working with
sentencers and other CJS partners to improve sentencer confidence.
? Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures
outlined in the budget delegation and ensure that the region implements
effective financial controls.
? Provide assurance to the Regional Director that LDUs are compliant with all
relevant regulations and that all corporate responsibilities are being met.
? Work with Criminal Justice partners and stakeholders at a regional or sub-
regional level to ensure effective delivery. Represent the Regional Director
with external agencies in line with delegated functional and decision-making
responsibilities.
? Encourage whole-system alignment within the LDUs by liaising with the Head
of Community Integration to ensure contracted and voluntary sector
providers of probation services are available to deliver the best outcomes for
offenders.
? Liaise with those responsible for centrally managed services such as
Approved Premises to ensure timely allocation to accommodation.
? Work collegiately with NPS and HMPPS leaders at a national level to inform
strategic planning, maintaining a current awareness of wider developments
with an impact on the organisation.
? Model effective management behaviour as a visible and approachable
leader, demonstrating a commitment to equality and inclusion. Reinforce
pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenge anti-social behaviour and
attitudes.
? Manage resources effectively, balancing competing demands in the
prioritisation and allocation of resources across LDUs.
? Deliver Human Resources related policies and practices including chairing
grievance appeals, conduct and discipline and capability hearings.
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.
Behaviours
? Leadership
? Managing a Quality Service
? Changing and Improving
? Making Effective Decisions
? Seeing the Big Picture
? Developing Self and Others
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Ability
Experience
? Significant experience of the delivery of probation services at senior manager
level.
? Substantial experience of line management of staff, including supervision,
appraisal and motivating.
? Experience of formulating and implementing policy successfully and
effectively.
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
Technical
Mandatory - Professional Qualification in Probation (PQiP). 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:
? Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in
Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
? BA (Hons)/Graduate Diploma in Community Justice (incorporating a level 5
Diploma in Probation Practice (Vocational Qualification))
? Diploma in Probation Studies
? Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
? CQSW (with Probation Option)
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
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
To be used by the JES Team only
Allowances
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Leadership
Significant experience of the
Mandatory - Professional Qualification in
delivery of probation services at
Probation (PQiP). Or, a qualification which
senior manager level.
was recognised at the time of qualification by
the Secretary of State for Justice as per
Section 10 of the Offender Management Act
2007.
Managing a Quality Service
Substantial experience of line
The following qualifications gained in England
management of staff, including
and Wales were previously recognised as
supervision, appraisal and
providing such eligibility:
motivating.
? Probation Qualification Framework
Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree
in Community Justice integrated with
Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
? BA (Hons)/Graduate Diploma in
Community Justice (incorporating a
level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice
(Vocational Qualification))
? Diploma in Probation Studies
? Diploma in Social Work (with
Probation Option)
? CQSW (with Probation Option)
Changing and Improving
Experience of formulating and
implementing policy successfully
and effectively.
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Developing Self and Others
NPS-JES-0086 Head of Operations v1.0