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General Information

Salary
£53,995 - £58,255
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Birmingham
Region
Midlands
Closing Date
23-May-2025
Business Unit
NPS West Midlands Corporate Services (2021)
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
5654

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

This post is responsible and accountable for leading and delivering high quality corporate services on behalf of the Regional Probation Director. As a member of the Senior Management Team, the post holder is required to lead effective Business Planning activity and NPS corporate functions, manage and direct business partner activity within the region, and take full responsibility for ensuring critical business services across the region are strategically aligned. This post will be responsible for providing services that directly support front line operational staff. An understanding of the wide range of probation policies and procedures across the organisation is required.

Summary

The purpose of the role is to manage the delivery of corporate support services on behalf of the Regional Probation Director.

The job holder will be accountable for developing and delivering short, medium and long-term strategic business plans for the region, with overall responsibility for implementation. These plans must ensure opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness are proactively pursued.

The job holder will put in place appropriate governance arrangements to oversee the delivery of corporate services, identify and manage corporate risks, and escalate any significant issues to the attention of the Regional Probation Director. They will be accountable for ensuring adequate management/financial contracts and processes are in place for the region.

Responsible for representing the region in the development, improvement and implementation of collaborative working arrangements for corporate services polices and processes, including engagement with Headquarters and Shared Services.

The job holder will directly manage and co-ordinate the activity of Business Managers across the region (including litigation and inquests), and teams responsible for ICT, Complaints, the Divisional Support Hub, Equalities and Staff Engagement to ensure a consistent approach is deployed across all business units.

The job holder will also oversee and provide strategic direction for the delivery of functional leadership services such as HR, Finance, Learning and Development, Health and Safety and Business Strategy and Change, to ensure that all corporate services operate effectively across the region.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • Accountable for the development and delivery of the Regional Business Plan and business risk registers, with overall responsibility for implementation.
  • Accountable for ensuing corporate governance is embedded, monitored and reviewed in the region.
  • Accountable for delivering all objectives within delegated budget including for specific programmes of work (e.g. regional learning and development budget).
  • Monitor and control the overall use of the regional budget, ensuring there are appropriate governance frameworks in place to promote accountability.


   

  • Responsible for ensuring management information systems are in place to monitor, analyse and report on corporate performance across the region identifying operational, resource or organisational issues that may impact on performance or increase business risk e.g. Health and Safety, L&D.
  • Lead business partner activity across the region, taking a collaborative approach and ensuring the Regional Probation Director is updated with timely progress reports.
  • Lead Business Manager activity across the NPS region ensuring compliance with policy and process in corporate activities.
  • Lead the development of regional corporate support systems, policies and processes in response to business need in order to review and assess effective practice in business services.
  • Responsible for ensuring the delivery of strategic employee communications utilising a range of techniques to suit the needs of the audience, the message and the objectives of active engagement.
  • Provide leadership and management of the Regional Complaints Team ensuring compliance with policy and process.
  • Identify opportunities for more efficient delivery of business services and develop proposals to convert those opportunities into new ways of working.
  • Ensure effective HR systems are in place to manage and develop staff in line with organisational HR policies and procedures in order to achieve performance objectives and enhance productivity.
  • Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse corporate performance information, developing systems and compiling reports as necessary.
  • Develop and utilise data to identify trends and take appropriate action to maintain and enhance performance.
  • Plan, implement and manage systems for the exchange of sensitive information, data and intelligence.
  • Accountable for ensuring all risk assessments are undertaken in line with Health and Safety and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility to ensure Health, Safety & Fire compliance.
  • Lead a culture within the region that promotes equality and values diversity through the effective development and implementation of systems, policies and processes.

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

  • Changing and Improving
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Leadership
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Working Together

Ability

• The post holder will need to be an influential and visible senior leader, able to confidently engage staff and motivate, challenge and change behaviours. They will need to role model inclusive behaviours and have the communication and influencing skills required to develop effective relationships with staff across the region. They will need to be highly resilient and decisive when making finely balanced judgements. They will need negotiation skills both for reconciling differences in opinion between senior leaders within the region and managing competing demands for limited resources.

• The post holder will need to have significant corporate expertise and awareness, understanding both the vision of the wider NPS and HMPPS. They will need to manage the impact of decisions and actions on the reputation of the organisation and maintain financial and political awareness when making decisions.

Experience

• Detailed understanding and extensive experience of the wide range of probation procedures and policies both operationally and at HQ.
    • Extensive experience of delegated budget management, business planning, business risk management, senior management, leading and delivering change programmes, and data analysis.
    • Significant understanding of Equalities and Health and Safety legislation, and all other relevant legislation.

Technical

• Level 5 Degree/Diploma in Business Administration or equivalent or equivalent professional/managerial qualification or willingness to study for such.

Additional Information

Please Note: The Pay Band advertised is competency based. If you are an External Candidate, you will start at the lowest end of the scale. You will receive a pay increase yearly until you are at the top of the scale.

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.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices.  You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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
kirsty.johnstone@justice.gov.uk

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 5654

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 5654

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Communicating and Influencing
Working Together
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Other Assessments

Which assessment methods will be used?
Other 1
Other - Assessment Title 1
Desktop Exercise
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
Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS)