Quality

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview of the job    

The job is a member of a team of 2 to 4 PQO’s working with individual LOU clusters to ensure performance and delivery to agreed targets. Team responsibilities include identifying local performance and quality issues, and developing a programme of quality of operational practice in response to meet the needs of the division, and HMPPS priorities.

Summary    

The PQO role is to work alongside LDU clusters to support them in achieving agreed performance. This includes:
•    Ensuring that LDU clusters deliver in accordance with agreed national service delivery indicators and specifications
•    Developing and delivering a quality improvement programme for the Division
•    Identifying local performance and quality issues and opportunities linking in to HMPPS priorities.
•    Running improvement initiatives to address opportunities for performance improvement
Working with other PQO’s to share best practice and maximise improvements in quality and performance.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

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

Support Service Delivery Quality Improvement and Practice Development

•    Provide guidance for delivery of effective practices across the LDU clusters
•    Demonstrate support for organisational vision and strategies as regards quality improvement within the LDU clusters
•    Implement systems for reviewing and assessing effective practice within the LDU clusters
•    Implement practice development opportunities developed in collaboration with HMPPS/NPS training and OD
•    Contribute to a culture of innovation and continuous improvement

Performance management within the LDU Clusters

•    Support performance management of LDU clusters within the division
•    Identify opportunities for performance improvement and analysing trends within LDU clusters
•    Support the implementation of performance plans within LDU clusters and monitor their effectiveness
•    Work with PQO colleagues to share good practice and promote performance initiatives

Quality Management

•    Support continuous quality improvement
•    Implement best practice initiatives internally
•    Monitor compliance with quality systems

Develop Team and Partnership Working

•    Be responsible for establishing effective working relationships with other teams and with colleagues
•    Write reports for management on contract performance and provide cost analysis where required
•    Provide information to colleagues where required
•    Support a performance and quality-focused organisation

Plan and organise

•    Support manager with the provision of information for SLA review meetings around performance, and make recommendations for improvement.

Monitor action logs where appropriate

•    Monitoring of CRC and other organisations delivery of interventions on behalf of NPS.
•    Share knowledge and good practice to inform the continual improvement of service delivery

Use communication effectively

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

Enhance your own performance

•    Manage own resources and professional development

Use information to support decision makers

•    Liaise with staff to receive, collate and analyse information, compiling reports as necessary
•    Develop and utilise data to identify trends and recommend action to maintain and enhance performance
•    Comply with systems for the exchange of sensitive information, data and intelligence

Manage Diversity and Quality

•    Support  a culture and systems that promote equality and value diversity
•    Implement the diversity policies of the service and consult the Equalities and Diversity Unit as appropriate

Manage Projects

•    Ensure an effective approach to project and process evaluation
•    Manage a programme of complementary 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 alternations 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
•    Working Together
•    Managing a Quality Service
•    Delivering at Pace

Essential Experience    

Demonstrate experience of performance management, demonstrate experience of problem solving skills including analytical, evaluative & outcome focused techniques, operational experience of working in a Probation setting, and experience of quality systems and implementing quality improvement initiatives.

Technical requirements    

NVQ Level 4 or equivalent in a relevant subject (or appropriate practical experience).

Microsoft: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint (or equivalent i.e. Lotus Notes).

Ability    

Demonstrate the ability to maintain information & administrative systems including databases.

Salary

£30,812 - £38,289 (plus a London Weighting Allowance of £4,006)

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 working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. 

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 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

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.