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General Information

Salary
£48,305 - £52,935
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
15-Aug-2025
Business Unit
London Probation Service
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
8367

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job 

As a member of the Performance and Quality Team the Effective Practice Lead will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of programme activity which supports organisational effectiveness and enables the organisation to monitor and improve performance.

Summary       

The Effective Practice Lead is responsible for ensuring the delivery of programmes which improve the performance and quality of operational delivery across the organisation. Their responsibilities will include:

  • Working alongside Performance staff within the PQ team they aim to maximise performance in the assigned area for which the post holder is responsible
  • Responsibility for identification of national priorities and co-ordinating the delivery of activity to meet those priorities. They will contribute to enhancing organisational effectiveness and delivery in line with the Business Plan and contractual commitments
  • Developing and sustaining effective working relationships with external agency partners and other key stakeholders.

The post holder reports to the Performance and Quality Senior Manager.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties         

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

Leading effective practice

  • Support the Performance & Quality Senior Manager to maintain standards for effective practices across the NPS and all LDUs
  • Maintain a national knowledge-bank for effective practice, and ensure the link between performance management and the development of effective practice policies and standards
  • Maintain national quality policy, codes of practice and guidance
  • Support the communication of the NPS effective practice improvement strategy and action plans with Divisions and LDUs, external partners and all key stakeholders
  • Ensure systems are in place so that the results and trends of effective practice review and assessment are visible at a national level
  • Support the delivery of practice development in the NPS

Manage and Develop service delivery Performance

  • Manage service delivery to meet performance targets
  • Develop and recognise effective performance
  • Improve organisational performance

Develop Team and Partnership Working

  • Develop productive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Develop and manage multi-stakeholder partnerships
  • Build the organisation’s understanding of its markets and customers
  • Contribute to the development of a customer focused organisation

Managing Resources

  • Plan and organise resources effectively to meet demands
  • Lead on delivery programme formation and implementation
  • Plan, implement and manage the sharing of knowledge and good practice to inform innovation and improve service delivery

Determine the effective use of resources

  • Agree budgets and unit costs for programmes of work
  • Make proposals for expenditure on programmes of work
  • Manage budgets and provide unit costings for activities
  • Advise on financial and resourcing issues to inform objectives and forward planning
  • Assess risk in terms of operational delivery and impact on other operational priorities

Use communication effectively

  • Providing information, feedback and advice
  • Influencing and persuading
  • Chair and participate in meetings , using appropriate skills, styles and approaches

Enhance your own performance

  • Manage your own resources and professional development

Use information to take critical decisions

  • Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, using 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

Manage Diversity and Equality

  • Contribute to a culture and systems that promote equality and value diversity
  • Implement the diversity policies of the service

Manage Quality

  • Manage continuous quality improvement
  • Monitor external markets, practice, trends and development to ensure best practice internally
  • Manage compliance with quality systems

Manage Projects

  • Ensure an effective approach to project and process evaluation
  • Manage a programme of complimentary projects
  • Enable others to carry out project management roles
  • Maintain effective communication with project stakeholders

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
  • Working Together
  • Changing and Improving
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Communicating and Influencing

Essential Experience

  • Demonstrate experience of stakeholder management
  • Demonstrate experience of managing quality
  • Demonstrate experience of a role in performance management
  • Experience of quality systems and implementing quality improvement initiatives
  • Operational experience of working in a Probation setting

Technical requirements      

  • NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience)
  • Microsoft: Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Additional Information

About the role:

The Deputy Head of Corporate Services provides operational support within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and guidance, such as management support hub functions, training, procurement, communications, reward and recognition, estates, data management, and HR processes, such as grievance, discipline, capability, and complaints.

The deputy will undertake a range of activities that will contribute to the overall success of the unit; supporting audits and inspections, ensuring that the unit meets its performance targets and complies with quality standards.

In the absence of the Head of Corporate Services, the deputy will make decisions and provide advice on escalations from London Heads of PDU and RLT. The deputy will also represent the Head of Corporate Service at external meetings and meetings across departments, where applicable, ensuring continuity of leadership and maintaining the unit’s strategic position within the organisation.

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

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 - 8367

Allowance

In addition this post attracts a London allowance payment which will be discussed at interview

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews expected to take place 12/09/2025.
Behaviours
Leadership
Working Together
Changing and Improving
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
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?
Presentation
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
DBS Standard