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General Information

Salary
£36,151 - £37,887
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
Durham
Region
North East
Closing Date
01-Dec-2025
Business Unit
DDC North East
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
HEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11957

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Summary

The post holder will be responsible for overseeing the provision ofstrategic and tactical intelligence analysis within establishments in its group. The post holder will play a critical leadership and management role in developing the intelligence picture on a range of threats impacting on the group. This job requires no operational experience. However, knowledge of prison operating environments and a working knowledge of intelligence practice is essential. This post has line management responsibility for a team of Intelligence Analysts.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

  • Have keen oversight and management responsibilities for ensuring policy is applied and followed.
  • Ensure that intelligence products are prepared by Intelligence Units and delivered to establishments in line with the HMPPS Intelligence Policy, the National Security Framework (NSF) and Local Security Strategy (LSS).
  • Take responsibility for the tasking of analysts and act as a conduit between the Intelligence Unit and establishments across the group; ensure that terms of reference for intelligence analysis products are appropriate and realistic. ? Obtain and evaluate information for intelligence analysis for non-routine or sensitive subject or problem profiles; applying structured analytical techniques to create intelligence analysis products to support decision making.
  • Ensure that analysis of local MDT results is completed, providing reports to the Head of Security and the local drug strategy committee.
  • Ensure that good intelligence analysis is prepared and submitted for use in intelligence led tasks such as searching, non-random drug testing, mobile phone detector deployment, allocations of dog resources, debriefing and larger operations requiring the deployment of regional SOCT and national teams.
  • Act as the group system administrator for Mercury, approving new accounts and ensuring that all users have signed and understand the SyOPs.
  • Complete monthly quality checks on the content of local Mercury reporting, analysis, assessment and processing requirements; providi ng advice, guidance and potentially initiating performance management procedures when agreed standards are not met.
  • Manage person of interest databases including E-List prisoners, prominent and development nominals, PRAS nominals, organised crime group mapped nominals and visitors of interest etc., updating with new intelligence as received and communicating with decision makers to ensure reviews and actions are completed within agreed timescales.
  • Complete quality assurance checks on requested intelligence reports to ensure they are completed, sanitised and disclosed in line with HMPPS policy.
  • Review and maintain the effectiveness of local analysis processes. 
  • Ensure that a system is in place for actions resulting from IRs and intelligence product to be communicated and followed up appropriately.
  • Manage access to the PIN phone system, approving new accounts and ensuring back-ups are completed and product is retained in line with specified timescales. Ensure any applications for and monitoring of communications including mail, PIN phones and CCTV is done in strict adherence to HMPPS policy and legislation.
  • Act as the nominated point of contact for ViSOR, ensuring processes are in place to update intelligence for prisoners who are partnered on the system within agreed timescales.
  • Liaise with Heads of Security and provide advice on the range of tactics (both overt and covert) that may be available to maximise the collection of intelligence for individual problem profiles.
  • Ensure intelligence analysis is provided and represented at local tasking meetings, security committee meetings, IDRM, Safer Custody and any other meetings where intelligence will be relied upon for decision making purposes.
  • Provide assistance to the local Counter Corruption Lead, ensuring intelligence related corruption processes are in place and that intelligence analysis is allocated appropriately to specific cases. Completing quality assurance checks on any corruption related intelligence products prior to onward dissemination. Promoting a culture where corruption is not tolerated, ensuring that staff are encouraged to submit IRs on suspected inappropriate behaviours.
  • Be the group intelligence subject matter expert. Work closely with regional CT teams to support the pathfinder process and ensure all aspects of the current policy are adhered to. Work with group SMT and external stakeholders to ensure that local analytical products meet the required needs – seeking and acting on feedback.

Management of Relationships

  • Be responsible for the management of all staff within the Group Prison Intelligence Unit. This includes staff performance, development and annual appraisal through to sickness absence management.
  • Maintain an excellent working relationship with Security and Operations Custodial Managers to maximise opportunities to exploit intelligence and disrupt prisoners and with the Police Intelligence Officer and/or the Police Liaison Officer.
  • Ensure that positive relationships are maintained between the Prison Intelligence Unit and the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU or LTHSE teams), to ensure effective collaboration in areas such as Organised Crime, Counter Corruption, Counter Terrorism (CT) and Covert Activities etc. Acting as first point of contact for relevant external stakeholders. In conjunction with the local counter corruption lead, liaise with the regional counter corruption lead and work closely with the police and other external partners on all local corruption related matters.
  • Act as the establishment SME to link with regional SOCT teams and be the main conduit to ensure SOCT regional teams are used effectively on behalf of establishment.
  • Build productive working relationships with the wider analytical community in HMPPS, with related data analysis functions and with law enforcement partners to develop quality intelligence products. 

Undertake other management/administrative tasks including:

  • Contribute towards the development of local/group policy, procedures and practice and ensure consistency of application.
  • Manage devolved budgets related to intelligence in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation and resources to deliver the activities within the Prison Intelligence Unit and contribute to short and medium term business planning processes. 
  • Manage a safe working environment for staff for the team and visitors to the prison intelligence unit. Ensure health and safety legislation is followed and safe systems of work and risk assessments are completed in a timely manner, with any faults or non-compliance being reported promptly.
  • Attend relevant meetings as and when required to provide feedback on good practice examples, to promote awareness for better and more efficient ways of working.

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.

Additional Information

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.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

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
For further information regarding this role contact: jordan.lawther@justice.gov.uk

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

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 11957

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, 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
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected W/C 08/12/25
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Leadership
Making Effective Decisions
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.
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.