HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 8
Directorate: Security, Order and Counter Terrorism
Job Description - JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist
Document Ref.
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0
Document Type
Management
Version
1.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
17 October 2019
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0
Job Description
Job Title
JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist
Directorate
Security, Order and Counter Terrorism
Band
8
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,
The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
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.
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0
? 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
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
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.
Technical
Requirements
Ability
Fluent Arabic reading/speaking is desirable.
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)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Seeing the Big Picture
Fluent Arabic reading/
Essential understanding of Islamist
speaking is desirable.
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
Making Effective Decisions
Proven experience of:
? Employment in counter-
extremism and/or counter
terrorism work
? A project management
approach to policy delivery
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0
? Conducting and editing
research, analysis and/or
policy papers
? Delivering excellent writing,
research and data analysis
skills
Communicating and Influencing
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.
Working Together
The successful candidate will need
to go through SC clearance.
HQ-JES-2694 JEXU Counter-Terrorism Specialist v1.0