Custody Improvement Lead (Ref: 81799)

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 vacancy is for a Custody Improvement Lead. They will lead national thematic support to the prison estate and join the National Service Improvement Programmes (NSIP) team’s SLT. NSIP is within The Effective Practice and Service Improvement Group (EPSIG) which is responsible for supporting continuous improvement across HMPPS. EPSIG helps identify priorities for improvement across the whole system (Prison, Probation and the Youth Custody Service) and develops products and services which are responsive to the needs of HMPPS. NSIP provides thematic work that addresses an improvement area that will benefit multiple sites or a national policy or process.

The Custody Improvement Lead will manage a team with each team member delivering discrete projects. Work will involve close working with a range of senior colleagues in different roles. While much of the work can be done remotely it will involve some working in prisons and offices across England and Wales.  The Custody Improvement Lead will contribute to managing virtual project teams within the function but also across the wider Directorate and HMPPS depending on the work. Therefore, the job holder should expect to lead, motivate, challenge and guide colleagues with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences so they can each deliver their part to achieve our goals. 

This role will be responsible for a broad range of projects that support prisons.  The team’s current work includes developing Models of Delivery for the different prison and offender types, the prison officer guides, development of thematic support- such as for Purposeful Activity, and for all Building Confidence and Competence products and support for operational team functions.  The team also provides the Improvement Catalogue that provides access to all its and EPSIGs custodial support. The successful candidate will have an important role in developing the culture and practice of the function as well as developing new support for operational teams.  You will be leading a strong team of managers whose work is already well regarded across HQ and in prisons, providing important support across the estate, we are looking for someone able to help build on this work and the team’s reputation. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those groups currently underrepresented in our group workforce.

Overview of the job    

The Programme Manager is responsible for leading and managing the setting up of programmes through to delivery of the new capabilities and realisation of benefits. They will have primary responsibility for successful delivery of the new capabilities and for establishing governance.

The Programme Manager will be responsible for line management of a team of staff using flexible resource, and for building capability in respect of change, and project and programme delivery.

Summary    

The Programme Manager is responsible for managing complex programmes (ranging from high risk to low risk); responsible for a team providing change and project delivery resources to projects/programmes. As such the Programme Manager will require professional expertise in the effective use of programme/project methodologies and techniques in managing a variety of projects. The job holder will need to be able to create, and guide others to create, a straightforward project structure, use the right tools/techniques, and have the skills and experience to meet the needs of projects/programmes.

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

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

Programme Management
•    Day–to–day management of the programme, including taking the programme forward from appointment, supervising, controlling and closing the programme.
•    Being the day–to-day agent on behalf of the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), for successful delivery of the new capability.
•    Plan, design and monitor the programme’s overall progress, resolving issues and initiating corrective actions as appropriate. Ensure that delivery of programme meets the necessary requirements.
•    Setting up governance structures and processes to ensure objectives are met, on time, within budget and to agreed quality tolerances. Managing change and configuration.
•    Effective co-ordination of the programme and its interdependencies.
•    Creating mechanisms to identify, manage, resolve and report risks and issues that arise.
•    Identifying, and supporting the SRO in securing, the resources necessary to deliver each stage of the programme’s lifecycle.
•    Ensuring that the delivery of outputs from the various projects meets programme requirements.
•    Provide constructive challenge to senior management on change proposals which will affect the programme.
•    Creating and/or reviewing content for key documents required to establish and maintain the programme/project (i.e. definition documents).
•    Provide strong leadership and guidance to the Programme Team.

Matrix/Flexible Resource Team Management
•    Support and develop a team to provide flexible change and project/programme management resources for projects/programmes.
•    Ensure limited resources are allocated in line with agreed priorities.
•    Manage the resources interface with those business areas to which staff are assigned, or might potentially be assigned; promote the resolution of issues and the satisfaction of both staff and customers.
•    Ensure that staff on assignment have clearly specified objectives, which are delivered to appropriate quality standards, whilst also considering the longer- term development needs of those staff.
•    Alongside other senior managers in the Project/Programme team, contribute to continuous improvement of the team and the Change Portfolio Office.

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.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

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

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com
• Telephone : 0845 241 5358

Recruitment team

• Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com