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General Information

Salary
£71,925 - £77,495
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Manchester
Region
Greater Manchester
Closing Date
30-Jul-2025
Business Unit
NPS Greater Manchester Accr Prog and Structured Interv (2021)
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7789

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job

The Head of NPS Interventions role leads the overall strategic development and delivery of NPS interventions, including Unpaid Work, Senior Attendance Centres, Accredited Programmes, Structured Interventions and Practitioner-led Interventions, for the region.   

They will be a key member of the regional leadership team, reporting directly to the Regional Probation Director, and line manage Heads of Unpaid Work and Heads of Programmes.

Summary

The postholder will provide leadership, with overall responsibility for resources and the strategic and operational direction, for the region. 
Set a clear, comprehensive and cost-effective regional strategy for NPS Interventions.   

Ensure the right suite, supply and mix of Accredited programmes, Structured Interventions and Practitioner-led interventions are available to meet the risk and needs of the region.   

Ensure the provision of sufficient quality operational delivery for Unpaid Work, including sentence management for single requirement Unpaid Work and available work placements, to benefit local communities and meet the risk and needs of the region.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

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

  • Oversee the development and delivery of regional strategies for Unpaid Work, Accredited Programmes, Structured Interventions, Senior Attendance Centres and Probation Practitioner-led Interventions.
  • Oversee the design and testing of new Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions for approval.
  • Oversee and join-up Unpaid Work delivery across the region to support consistency and ensure an integrated system of service delivery.
  • Make decisions around the allocation and prioritisation of resources to respond to changing supply and demand at a sub-regional level.
  • Make decisions around the commissioning and decommissioning of Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions to respond to changing requirements.
  • Lead the development, delivery and innovation of suite of approved toolkits for probation practitioner-led interventions and work nationally to support consistency across the NPS
  • Influence and align with other local, regional and national strategies, including local statutory and non-statutory services, NPS Operations, NPS Dynamic Framework services and national HMPPS Interventions strategy.
  • Lead senior relationship management with key stakeholders, including PCCs and Sentencers, to positively market NPS Interventions to increase confidence and joint-working.
  • Manage large devolved NPS Interventions budget in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation and ensure that the region implements effective financial controls.
  • Manage competing demands to ensure effective and cost-efficient logistical and delivery arrangements are in place.
  • Ensure the design and delivery of all Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions is in accordance with robust needs assessment, evidence-base and statutory/legal requirements.
  • Ensure the design and delivery of all Accredited Programmes and Structured Interventions is targeted at the right individuals and tailored to meet the diverse needs of the local population, including protected characteristics.
  • Ensure the development and delivery of sufficient high-quality placements that are available locally, support local communities, meet individuals’ risk and need, particularly for those who pose a high risk of harm or with protected characteristics
  • Ensure the development and delivery of Unpaid Work is in line with performance targets, statutory and legal requirements, including health and safety.
  • To collaborate with National Security Division to develop provision for CPPC cases.
  • Develop reporting frameworks to provide assurance that Interventions staff are fully engaged in risk management plans and risk escalation.
  • Develop and embed a culture of joint-working, evidence-informed practice, innovation and continuous improvement in service delivery.

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

  • Leadership
  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Changing and Improving
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service

Essential Experience

  • Significant management experience at senior level in a probation setting, including strategic planning.
  • Experience of resource and budget management
  • Experience of integrating and co-ordinating across diverse areas of management.
  • Extensive experience of effectively leading, managing and motivating geographically dispersed teams and diverse business areas.
  • Experience of successfully building and managing strategic and working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and partners.

Technical requirements

Level 6 qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. management) or significant equivalent professional experience.

Additional Information

If you are successful in this campaign please be aware that we have multiple offices across the Greater Manchester Probation Service region. If similar roles arise in other offices and you are appointable, we may look to offer you a position within these other locations. Our locations that we would like to consider your application are:

Ashton-Under-Lyne, Atherton, Audenshaw, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Stretford, Wigan.

HM Prison Buckley Hall, OL12 9DP, HMP/YOI Forest Bank Manchester, M27 8FB, HMYOI Hindley - Works Near Wigan, WN2 5TH, Manchester Minshull Crown Manchester, M1 3FS, NPS 12 Minshull Street Manchester, M1 3FR, NPS 128 Rochdale Road Oldham, OL1 2JG, NPS Fred Perry House Stockport SK1 3UR, NPS 2 Redwood Street Salford, M6 6PF, NPS Argyl House Bury, BL9 0LN, NPS Balmoral House Bury, BL9 0LN, NPS Bolton Magistrates Court, BL1 1UA, NPS Crown Square Manchester, M3 3FL, NPS St Helena Mill Bolton, BL1 2JS, NPS Stockport Magistrates Court Stockport, SK1 3NF, NPS Tameside Magistrates Court Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 7TP, NPS Wigan Magistrates Court Wigan, WN1 1DW, Salford Magistrates' Court Salford, M3 6DJ, NPS Roz Hamilton House Ashton-Under-Lyme, NMS 1 Cromwell Court, OL1 1ET, NMS Unit 20, Chichester Business Centre, OL16 2AU, 

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
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 7789

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 7789

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, 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
500
Changing and Improving
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
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 demonstrate within your statement of suitability, your relevant experience and skills that will help in leading a successful Interventions team?
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Level 6 qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. management) or significant equivalent professional experience

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
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.
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)