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General Information

Salary
£57,730 - £63,503
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
16-May-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
5392

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) is jointly run by HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Home Office, Office of Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and is the strategic centre for all counter-terrorism work in HMPPS. It has oversight of delivery across the end-to-end offender management process, including probation. The unit drives closer working with strategic policy and law enforcement partners, with HMPPS retaining its responsibility for operational management decisions, and Home Office for counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policy across government.

The unit encompasses the entire policy making process, from strategy to operational delivery and consists of a mix of policy officials and operational staff across England and Wales.

JEXU is currently introducing, reviewing and developing a number of counter- terrorism policies, the design and implementation of which will require leadership, specialist knowledge and understanding of extremism and terrorism. The post holder will manage a small team dedicated to developing and delivering counter- terrorism policy. They will be managed by the Policy and Projects Team lead who will support the post holder to present developments to JEXU Senior Management Team and the post holder will have regular sessions with the Head of JEXU.

Summary
The post holder will focus on developing JEXU policies and reviewing and evaluating existing policy. Working closely with multiple stakeholders across government and academia is essential. Core stakeholders include Whitehall departments, Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), police, Charity Commission, Ofcom, local authorities and community leaders.

The post holder will manage their team to conduct research, analysis and evaluation of policy areas which include; strengthening vetting of staff, reviewing engagement with external groups and charities and continuing to develop interventions to lead
offenders away from extremism in prisons.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• The post requires expertise in Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK.
• To lead in the creation, development and analysis of policy designed to identify and counter terrorism and extremism in prisons and probation.
• To commission and oversee quality research and analysis within JEXU and work closely with relevant departments across government to ensure a consistent approach to counter-terrorism.
• To deliver a project management approach to policy areas.
• To act as a point of expertise on Islamist extremist individuals, groups and ideologies in the UK; including briefing a wide range of audiences across governments and partners on the outcome of research.
• Developing a system to ensure JEXU is kept up-to-date with relevant think- tank and academic research and analysis in the subject area.
• To deliver excellent line management and leadership duties.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post 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 post holder.

Behaviours
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Experience

Essential understanding of Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK, including knowledge and understanding of the following:
• Government Counter Extremism Strategy and Prevent Strategy
• Extremist networks and groups currently active in the UK
• Key Islamist and Right Wing Terrorism narratives, and how they are used in a modern UK context by various groups/individuals
• The history of how UK-based jihadist and political Islamist networks developed from 1980s to today

Proven experience of:
• Employment in counter-extremism and/or counter terrorism work
• A project management approach to policy delivery
• Conducting and editing research, analysis and/or policy papers
• Delivering excellent writing, research and data analysis skills

We would also like to know details of any published quality work on the subject (e.g. research papers, books, op-eds), any media appearances or any other achievements that may be relevant to the role.

The successful candidate will need to go through SC clearance.
Ability
Fluent Arabic reading/speaking is desirable.

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
 

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 5392

Please contact India.Greenland@justice.gov.uk if you have any questions regarding this vacancy.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
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 mention why you would be good fit for the role.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Making Effective Decisions
Seeing the Big Picture
Working Together
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Security Clearance (SC)