HM Prison and Probation Service
Head of Service - Bristol - South Gloucestershire - Full Time - Permanent (Ref: 19644)
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Head of Operational Function – National Probation Service (NPS) @ NMS Marlborough House, Bristol, BS1 3NU
Job Summary Please refer to Job Description.
Job Description
Heads of Operational Function may be required to undertake any combination—or all—of the following responsibilities:
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Strategic Leadership & Partnerships
- Lead, innovate, and develop local strategies in alignment with the national strategic framework.
- Effectively lead cluster operational delivery, contributing corporately to national operational delivery and priorities.
- Lead the NPS in local strategic partnerships, ensuring appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks.
- Represent the NPS at national partnerships and development meetings in line with delegated functional lead and decision-making responsibilities.
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Financial & Resource Management
- Manage devolved budgets in accordance with financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation.
- Manage competing demands within the (geographical) area of responsibility.
- Be responsible for various divisional functions, including line management of middle managers.
- Manage resources effectively.
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Safeguarding & Public Protection
- Oversee the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally, in conjunction with other responsible authorities, including chairing MAPPA level 3 meetings.
- Make decisions and provide advice on managing offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary (e.g., authorising the recall of offenders to prison).
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Complaint & HR Oversight
- Provide oversight of the management of complaints within the Operational Function; direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary.
- Undertake all HR-related policies and practices, including:
- Overseeing local recruitment.
- Leading Attendance Management.
- Handling Disciplinary matters.
- Conducting Investigations.
- Managing Performance Appraisals and Staff Appraisals.
- Chairing grievance and other hearings.
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Cross-Functional Leadership
- Work effectively with the Division Senior Leadership Team; lead nationally assigned specific projects/portfolios.
- Deputise for the Deputy Director, as required, in the LDU/operational unit’s functional area of activity.
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Compliance & Victim Services
- Comply with Health and Safety legislation; ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are aware of their Health and Safety responsibilities.
- Carry out agency responsibilities for victims.
- Discharge safeguarding children duties per NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies.
- Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by reinforcing pro-social behaviour, challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes, and adhering to NPS and NOMS aims and values.
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- Core Functional Dualism
- Oversee safeguarding children duties per NPS statutory responsibilities.
- Pro-actively manage and discharge estates responsibilities for the Head of Operational Function.
- Reinforce pro-social modelling and challenge anti-social behaviour, adhering to NPS/NOMS values.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential (for those with supervision/risk management of offenders):
- Probation Qualification Framework (e.g., Graduate Diploma / Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with a Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice).
- OR, a qualification recognised at the time of conferral by the Secretary of State for Justice under Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
Specifically, the following (former recognised qualifications) meet criteria:
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Diploma in Probation Studies.
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Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option).
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CQSW (with Probation Option).
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Current knowledge of Health & Safety and Equality legislation.
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Familiarity with the wider Criminal Justice System.
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Up-to-date knowledge of risk management practice and reoffending reduction strategies.
Assessed Behaviours
The following competencies govern the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
Working Environment
- Flexible Working: Extensive learning and development opportunities, tailored to achieve a healthy work-life balance.
- Diversity & Inclusion: A supportive culture that champions inclusion and diversity.
- Benefits:
- Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- Annual Leave and Public Holidays.
- Season Ticket Advance (STA) scheme.
For further Course Information: Candidate Information Page
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Selection Process
- Assessment Method: Success Profiles --- evaluates Behaviours, Strengths, and Experience.
- Outcome: Feedback provided only if candidates progress to interview or assessment.
- NPS Security Screening:
- Successful candidates undergo a criminal record check.
- Baseline personnel security checks applicable for those working with government assets.
Nationality & Eligibility
The role is open to the following national groups:
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UK/HoC (House of Commons) nationals.
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Nationals of the Republic of Ireland.
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Commonwealth nationals with right to work in the UK.
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**EU ** (including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), plus family members with pre-settled/settled status via EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
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EU/EEA/Swiss nationals having secured pre/post-Brexit •undocumented*/valid-status route.
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Turkish nationals previously accredited as type C residents.
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All Civil Service fixed terms must align with Recruitment Principles set via the Civil Service Commission.
To Apply (Justice Government Vacancies Portal)—job reference: [#19644]
Veteran Initiative
Part of the Civil Service’s Great Place to Work for Veterans (GPtWV) program.
Post-Closing Employer Retention
Note that once this advertisement closes, permissions to access the role details will expire unless previously reserved.
Contact & Vetting Enquiries
Address inquiries to:
📧 IBM: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
📞 0345 241 5358
For civil service diversity, equal opportunity or redeployment enquiries… view SSCL adoption policies.
Legal Recruitment Complaints: Government or SSCL recruitment escalation and specific service contractual disputes should be directed to: ** Commissioner’s office: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
*§DISCLAIMER: Appointments are reversible excluding safeguarding legislation and/or •judicial penalties.**🔒 Warning: Disclosure under Section 57 of the 2003 act (Public Interest Implicability Act).
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