The Job Evaluation, Design and Improvement Team (which sits within the Central Operations Support team, within the Probation Operations Directorate) is seeking expressions of interest for HMPPS Band 6 Policy Advisor temporary posts for 2years. The Probation Operations Directorate (POD) is new directorate, formed in April 2024, as a result of the OneHMPPS restructure. It is designed to fully support the Chief Probation Officer deliver their priorities to the front line service, through Courts and Sentencing, Community Delivery Group, National Security Division and Central Operations Support. Central Operations Support (COS) provides operational support across HMPPS and into regions to assure excellence in delivery. COS is focused on delivering activity that makes a positive difference in contributing to the Chief Probation Officer's priorities, which includes probation reset, recruitment and retention, public protection, job evaluation and strengthening middle management leadership. The Job Evaluation, Design and Improvement Team (JEDIT) are a small team within the Central Operations Support structure, responsible for ensuring the Probation Job Evaluation Schemes (JES) are transparent, consistent and fairly applied to all job descriptions. The team are heavily involved in stakeholder management, including extensive Trade Union engagement, as well as Ministry of Justice People Group through Pay and Reward, the Job Evaluation Assurance Team (JEAT) and HR teams. The Band 6 Policy Advisors will be responsible for contributing to the drafting of the job evaluation documentation and working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure documentation is concise and accurate. They will assist the Policy Lead to ensure the job evaluation scheme is used consistently and with transparency, whilst striving for timely progress. Your priorities will include:
* Working closely with key stakeholders across POD, wider HMPPS and MOJ directorates/departments to support the development of and improvements to the job evaluation process.
* Supporting operational teams to develop high quality job descriptions and acting as job description developer for priority roles.
* Managing the quality assurance process for all job evaluation activities to ensure the process is delivered to quality standards and in a timely way.
* Developing and monitoring job evaluation plans and trackers to ensure that job evaluations and activities are on track against timescales.
* Preparing and distributing key communications to stakeholders, including the fortnightly job evaluation newsletter.
* Developing and maintaining positive relationships within and outside of COS. Identifying risks and issues, to ensure that effective controls are deployed.
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
* Provides support and assistance to the Head of Policy
* Provides expert policy advice and guidance to staff and managers
* Act as point of contact for day-to-day written or verbal advice and consultation to key stakeholders and senior officials
* Responsible for contributing relevant information to draft Ministerial submissions and briefing for senior officials
* Where necessary commission and analyse reports from internal or external colleagues, including contractors, and criminal justice stakeholders for information related to the subject matter
* Consolidate and analyse complex policy information and data evidence provided by policy leads and contractors to draft new protocols, sometimes in the face of conflicting stakeholder viewpoints. Develops operational and non operational policy
* Attend ad-hoc meetings on behalf of the team as required
* Provide secretariat support as and when required. Act as the Key Information Liaison Officer (KILO)
* Ensure draft responses to reports and correspondence submited to Team Leaders, are compliant and in line with current NOMS and Ministry of Justice (MoJ) policy,
* Provide senior managers with draft responses or contributions to Parliamentary Questions, Treat Official letters, Freedom of Information enquiries as well as contributing to briefing for minister and senior managers ensuring responses are prepared in accordance with the requirements of statutory legislation.
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.