General Information
Salary
£51,203 - £56,111
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Brighton and Hove, Guildford, Maidstone
Region
Kent, Surrey & Sussex
Closing Date
22-May-2026
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17494
Descriptions & requirements
Job description
Overview of the job Working at the direction of the Head of Operational Function the post holder will be deployed to a variety of roles in order to provide strategic support.
Summary To support the Head of LDU Cluster providing management and leadership within the National Probation Service (NPS) Local Delivery Unit (LDU). To represent the Head of LDU Cluster with external agencies/stakeholders and staff as appropriate.
The post holder must adhere to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position. May be required to participate in out of hours on call rota.
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties Senior Operational Support Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of Operational Function as set out below. . • Cluster operational lead on caseload segmentation issues such as Child Sexual Exploitation, Guns and Gangs, Integrated Offender Management etc.
• Operational support to the Head of Cluster within relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as Recall, High Risk of Serious Harm Case Transfers, etc.
• Providing support to the Head of Cluster within the relevant Probation Instruction criteria and rules such as, grievance, discipline, capability, complaints, etc.
• Responsible for the professional development of cluster staff
• Responsible for developing and deploying the Cluster Training Needs Analysis
• Ensure effective cluster employee recruitment and induction
• Act as cluster lead for performance & quality
• Act as cluster lead for audits and inspections
• Operational support to the Head of Cluster in completing reviews and delivery of action plans such as Domestic Homicides, Serious Further Reviews, Serious Case Reviews, etc.
• Responsible for the management of the Business Manager and the administrative support functions within the cluster
• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster; represent the NPS in local strategic partnerships and ensure appropriate representation within wider partnership frameworks in line with statutory responsibilities and operational policy
• Participate in the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) locally in conjunction with other responsible authorities including the chairing of MAPPA level 3 meetings
• In the absence of the Head of LDU Cluster to make decisions and provide advice on the management of offenders where senior management authorisation or involvement is necessary e.g. authorising the recall of offenders to prison
• Operational support to the Head of cluster in the management of complaints within the cluster and direct involvement in complaint resolution where necessary
• Under the guidance of the Head of LDU Cluster to take the lead on specific divisional or cluster projects/portfolios including Equality and Diversity, Reward and Recognition, etc.
• Operational support to the Head of cluster in cluster compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
• Senior Management responsibility for estates, buildings and maintenance activities within the cluster
• Demonstrate pro-social modelling skills by consistently reinforcing pro-social behaviour and attitudes and challenging anti-social behaviour and attitudes
• Carry out safeguarding children and safeguarding adult duties in accordance with the NPS statutory responsibilities and agency policies
• Work within the aims and values of NPS and HMPPS
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post at present and are not exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alteration sand additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under job evaluation and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.
Behaviours • Leadership • Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
Essential Experience • Significant experience at middle manager level, including the management of staff
• Experience of monitoring performance in area of responsibility against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements
• Experience of budgetary control incl. procurement
• Experience of managing relationships incl. working with key local agencies and stakeholders
• Evidence of preparing high level written reports to a good standard
Technical requirements A qualification in one of the following areas: • Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the
Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
- Diploma in Probation Studies
- Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
- CQSW (with Probation Option)
Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system
Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances 37 hours a week
Additional Information
The postholder will act as Complaints, Death Under Supervision and Research Lead for the KSS Region. This will involve supervision of several Reviewing Managers undertaking these investigations.
In conjunction with the Head of P&Q, the post holder will also operationally lead the regional approach to continuous improvement to drive the delivery of high-quality services for people on probation. You will undertake regional engagement with HMIP, OSAG and other inspectorates, including preparations and the response to findings from core and thematic inspections and delivering on HMIP Action Plans. Regionally you will work with senior managers in their planning for inspections and in overseeing implementation of action plans, driving continuous quality improvement and overcoming barriers to progress.
The postholder will be expected to provide innovative leadership in capturing, analysing and sharing the learning from research, national initiatives, serious further offences, complaints, deaths under supervision etc to develop and action a comprehensive regional continuous improvement strategy that delivers our commitment to quality practice. You will report to the Head of Performance and Quality but will be expected to work closely with managers across the region and nationally to drive the continuous improvement quality agenda.
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis
Pension
The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.
Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.
Eligibility
All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
A Great Place to Work for Veterans
The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 17494
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Please quote the job reference 17494
Job Description Attachment
Select new file
Application form stage assessments
Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Leadership, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Changing and Improving
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
500
Probation Qualification
Specific qualification requirements
Must hold a qualification in one of the following areas:
Probation Qualification Framework Graduate
Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice
integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation
Practice.
Or, a qualification which was recognised at the
time of qualification by the Secretary of State for
Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender
Management Act 2007. The following
qualifications gained in England and Wales were
previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
Diploma in Probation Studies
Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
CQSW (with Probation Option)
Interview stage assessments
Interview Dates
Expected 8th June
Behaviours
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Changing and Improving
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click
here.
Other Assessments
Which assessment methods will be used?
Presentation
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
