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.
The role is part of the Prison Capacity Sub Portfolio within the Prison Supply Directorate in HMPPS. The Prison Capacity Sub Portfolio includes the ambition to create a modern efficient fit for purpose estate by building four new adult male prisons (this is in addition to the two new prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva delivered under a previous programme). Additionally, it includes the safe and effective expiry and transfer of the existing PFI contracts as they expire via potential re-competitions for the prison services at these sites. In total this could result in up to ten operator competitions by 2025 under the auspices of the Prison Operator Framework. This is a senior lead role, reporting to the Deputy Director. The role will be responsible for the internal and external design and preparatory work to launch multiple competitions under the framework, the day to day management of the competitions once launched (many of which will have overlapping activities) and safely managing their effective transition into mobilisation.
Overview of the job
The Prison Capacity Sub-Portfolio (within the Prison Supply Directorate) will fundamentally change for the better the way that the male and female population in our prisons are managed. It will create a reformed estate that is less crowded, better organised, more effective and comprises modern, fit for purpose accommodation.
Making sure that the function of prisons is more closely aligned to their populations will enable the needs and risks of the cohorts of prisoners in the different prisons to be met more effectively.
The Prison Capacity Sub-Portfolio includes the ambition to create a modern efficient fit for purpose estate by building 4 new adult male prisons (this is in addition to the 2 new prisons at Wellingborough and Glen Parva delivered under a previous programme).
Additionally, it includes the safe and effective expiry and transfer of the existing PFI contracts as they expire and potential re-competitions for the prison services at these sites.
The Prison Supply Portfolio are looking for talented and enthusiastic individuals to drive forward at pace the necessary internal and external preparatory work required to inform the decisions and run mini competitions for any or all of the new build and expiring PFI prisons and safely manage their effective transition into business as usual. There are currently three competitions underway for the existing Tranche 1 PFI prisons and over the course of the next three years a further three new build prisons followed by a second tranche of three expiring PFI prisons will be competed under the Prison Operator Framework. Together this represents £4bn of procurement of vital public services.
It is a national post which can be located in any regional HMPPS hub but will require the post holder to travel in accordance with business need.
Summary
This is a Senior lead role within Prison Capacity Sub-Portfolio, reporting to the Deputy Director. The job holder will provide leadership, vision and strategic direction and be responsible for the preparatory scoping work to inform a decision on whether to compete any of the PFI expiring prisons and any of the new prisons that are being built under the auspices of the Prison Capacity Portfolio. The post holder will manage a core team, who may well be geographically dispersed, and the Programme Office, based in HQ.
In the event of competition, the role will be responsible for the process of running the competition, from the launch of the competition through to the successful mobilisation and implementation of the contract or SLA to ensure business continuity. In the event of no competition, the role will be responsible for leading the successful mobilisation of the prisons within the public sector.
Throughout the role the post holder will need to work closely with MoJ Commercial, Legal and Finance and engage extensively across the business to ensure all competition requirements and considerations are met. During the preparatory stage the post holder will be required to work closely with commercial and wider Programme colleagues to scope the competition and inform advice to Ministers and subsequently develop the products required to launch the competition, including tender documents. In the procurement phase the post holder is required to attend negotiations with bidders and in the mobilisation phase he/she is responsible for ensuring a safe and secure transition of service and business continuity.
The programme carries formal structures and reporting requirements including financial reporting of programme spend.
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties
- To be responsible for the overall successful delivery of the programme and engage extensively across the business and wider Prison Reform.
- To be responsible for leading the business requirements in the commercial negotiations (direct procurement/commercial responsibilities remain with the MoJ Commercial team).
- To develop the market and work with stakeholders to ensure effective, collaborative partnering approach with statutory, voluntary and third sector agencies.
- Provide the business leadership for development of all competition documentation, analysis and evaluation of bids and preparing reports.
- Provide strong leadership and guidance to the whole Competition Team including the Programme Management Office, overseeing forward planning.
- Manage budgetary spend and commitments. Has authority to spend monies within delegated limits and to raise requisitions as appropriate. Authorises invoices for payment.
- Recruit the people required to manage implementation on site and set up a programme office and support team in HQ.
- Identifies and monitors a critical path for the work and escalates matters which could affect the achievement of any deliverables on the critical path.
- Manages the complexities of the programme and priorities. Recruits and manages resources and prioritises work within delegated limits.
- Responsible for ensuring the mobilisation and transition plans deliver a safe and secure transition to the new operator or SLA if HMPS.
- Ensures that all programme risks are identified and an appropriate system is in place to manage them including contingency plans, and escalates issues to the programme board where these are outside own remit to resolve or where there are conflicting issues or matters which could affect delivery of the programme.
- Briefs Ministers and other senior stakeholders on the competition programme when required and is accountable for high-profile and/or particularly complex Ministers’ Cases, PQs and ad hoc projects related to the work of the Directorate of PSPs as required.
- Ensures that all business case requirements are produced and that MOJ and Cabinet Office governance requirements are adhered to.
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
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Working Together
Experience
- Must understand how a prison operates, the operational risks and how a prison is resourced.
- Understanding strategic context of CJS and delivering plans in that context.
- Experience of contract management in a commissioning environment.
- Understanding of multiple approaches to contracts.
- Demonstrate a track record of managing and delivering complex projects/ programmes.
- Persuade and influence those around them.
- Demonstrate an understanding of procurement and commercial processes.
- Understand and explain to others government policy and priorities.
- Understand and engage with the stakeholder community.
- Experience of leading large and complex change programmes.
- Experience of building and managing a multi-functional team that is geographically dispersed.
- Must understand commissioning and Co-Commissioning arrangements.
- Must have an understanding of Prison Reform and other policy developments.
- Must have a commercial awareness and be able to understand how private operators’ price bids and contracts are managed.
Ability
- Excellent interpersonal skills to manage workstream relationships, give presentations to bidders, prisons and other stakeholders.
- Negotiation skills to ensure the best quality contracts are awarded at the best value for money for HMPPS.
- Strong relationship management skills are required as the post holder deals with senior stakeholders, workstream leads and senior executives from private providers.
TOP