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 Team - Equality Diversity Inclusion and Belonging
The objectives of the national Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) team are to:
- Create a diverse probation workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and people on probation at every level.
- Create a probation service that fosters an inclusive culture so that all staff feel they belong, where difference is understood, respected and celebrated and where staff from all backgrounds are treated fairly, valued for the contributions and can progress their careers.
- Ensure the Probation Workforce Programme advances equalities, diversity, inclusion and belonging throughout its projects and individual workstreams.
- Support the Probation Service to meets its commitments under the Equality Act and Public Sector Equality Duty.
- Develop a Probation Service EDIB BAU function to take forward implementation of a new 3-year EDIB strategy or develop/expand existing HMPPS D&I BAU team.
- Ensure regional equality teams are appropriately resourced to deliver HMPPS/ Probation Service D&I objectives.
We are looking for a talented individual to lead in delivering a number of these core objectives in a fast paced environment. You will be confident in engaging a variety of stakeholders across the wider organisation to enable this and be committed to promoting equality, inclusion, diversity and belonging as a business imperative.
Overview of the job
The job holder provides strategic leadership and is responsible for planning and managing the work of the policy unit
Summary
The job holder will be a member of Senior Management Team within the Group, focusing on developing and advising on policy and improving organisational performance across a range of issues, as well as leading on briefing for the whole group.
Responsible for agreeing operational policy priorities with Ministers and senior HMPPS officials, ensuring delivery of agreed outputs and business plan targets and develop strategic relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders at a CEO and Director level.
The job holder will be required to represent HMPPS in meetings with outside organisations and stakeholders and Other Government Departments
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
• Ensure that all policies are safe, legal, decent and affordable, remain compliant with relevant legislation and are sensitive to the needs of the operational line.
• Responsible for the delivery of well researched, quality assured and timely policies that support identified business need.
• Draft replies to more complex ministerial submissions, ministers’ cases, PQs, IMB and HMIP recommendations.
• Work closely with strategic policy holders within the MoJ and other Government Departments and their Agencies to deliver Ministerial ambition through operational policies.
• Build strong working relationships with Ministers’ Private Offices, senior officials, external non-departmental public body stakeholders and third sector partners
• Accountable for writing and implementing policy strategy that is appropriately tailored and conforms HMPPS business plan and wider organizational objectives.
• Developing and implementing a relevant business plan that addresses how HMPPS can meets its responsibilities in advancing; including the staffing and budgetary resource required and delivery costs.
• Setting up projects, with appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Oversee and approve draft business cases and impact assessments arising from policy development / modification. Ensure requirements for any central monitoring arrangements have been discussed with relevant stakeholders and have been set up and are fit for purpose.
• Quality assure and approve all advice to Ministers and senior HMPPS officials related to policies
• Oversee projects within team, ensuring appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage projects relationship with key external stakeholders/policy holders at senior level to ensure value for money
• Represent HMPPS in responses and defence to legal challenges brought by prisoners / staff or other external factors in relation to the full range of policies. Brief Treasury Solicitors and Counsel on policy and law underpinning decisions, and, where necessary, brief Ministers on the implications of possible outcomes. Where necessary, consider remedial policy action and obtain buy-in from Ministers and senior officials
• Interpret relevant performance data and research evidence to develop explanations for disproportionality in outcomes - and other examples of unfairness - for offenders of different protected groups;
• Accountable for the delivery of well researched, quality assured and timely responses
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
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
Essential Experience
• Excellent briefing skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent inter-personal and presentational skills, diplomatic experience or proven track record in engaging with foreign governments is essential.
• The role requires relevant experience in the management, review and development of policy at a national level.
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