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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £52,316, London salary range is £55,631 - £57,357. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
08-Dec-2025
Business Unit
Area Directors Office - London Family
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
SEO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
12100

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

This is a functional and project management role within a National HSF team requiring specialist knowledge and a high level of competence.

The post holder is line managed by the National Lead - Fire Safety (Band 9) who reports to the Head of Occupational Health, Safety & Fire. They are responsible for overseeing the delivery of national Fire Safety priorities, providing leadership, specialist technical advice, statutory assurance, training and monitoring, and risk management across multiple regions of the Prison and Probation estate.

The post-holder will be expected to divide their time between their assigned Regions and Headquarters.

Summary

This is a National strategic management role based at Headquarters, London.

The job holder will be responsible for the provision of expert fire safety information, advice and guidance on a strategic level to internal and external stakeholders at a national level and within relevant regions of responsibility on all the fire safety risks to which they are exposed, the measures they need to take to discharge their responsibilities with regard to fire for all staff and others who are affected by their undertakings, and ensure compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Approved Codes of Practice, British Standards, Guidance and best practice.

The post holder will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders including Deputy Directors of Custody and other Senior Managers, along with external bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Health and Safety Laboratories (HSL), British Research Establishment (BRE), Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate (CPFSI), Project Contractors, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Service, HMPPS Newbold Revel Learning and Development and external training and equipment providers.

They will also specialise and lead in a particular Fire Safety area within the National Team. They will be a National lead resource for their Regional establishment group on relevant serious incident investigation and casework management and provide a service in line with nationally determined priorities and plans for Fire Safety.

This is a non-operational role with strategic management responsibilities for Policy and Project delivery.

This role will attract Required Hours Allowance (RHA) as they will be expected to respond immediately in the event of serious injury or death from incidents of fire and provide expert Fire Safety Advice to Incident Managers including Gold and Silver command in the event of a serious incident involving Fire to aid those in command to make defensible decisions regarding staff and prisoner safety as per PSI 09/2014 – Incident management.

The post-holder is expected to have a sound understanding of the operational environment in order to provide an effective service.
 
Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

• The responsibilities of the post cover all Public Sector Prisons including Long Term & High Security Estate, Adult Estate (male and female), Young Peoples Estate, Immigration Removal Centres and National Probation Service Approved Premises.
• They will carry out a programme of periodic and targeted Business Support Visits for both Public and Private Sector Prisons and Approved Premises, reporting to the Duty Holder and National Lead - Fire Safety, on the adequacy of the fire safety arrangements.
• They will when required be the HMPPS Fire Safety expert lead for MOJ sponsored Fire Safety Improvement projects, including refurbishments and new build, within their assigned regions of responsibility.
• They will lead on the National strategic development of the Corporate Fire Risk Register and implementation of the associated action plan.
• They will liaise with Band 9 Regional Service Leads and be responsible for monitoring and reporting on fire safety performance and risk management from Establishments within Regions to report at National Level.
• They will be responsible for implementation and delivery of expert fire safety advice and programmed targeted interventions to reduce any significant fire safety risks at prison and probation premises. Cooperating with, and engaging Executive Directors and Directors, Prison Group Directors, Deputy Directors (including Deputy Directors of Custody and the National Probation Service), Governors and their SMT, other HMPPS Senior Managers and Establishment Health, Safety and Fire Safety Practitioners to deliver pragmatic solutions.
• They will be responsible for carrying out strategic training needs analysis and lead on technical advice for developing and delivering fire training programmes at a National, Regional and Local level, (e.g. HMPPS - Newbold Revel, SMT Fire Sponsor, Prison Fire Safety Practitioners, RPE Instructor and ‘end user’ courses).
• They will be responsible for monitoring the management procedure for supply, delivery and servicing/replacement of RPE equipment to establishments and the associated annual budget.
• They will be the expert fire safety lead for FM Providers, SDMs and REMs.
• They will be the lead on Project building sites and using their Building Engineering knowledge and Fire Safety competencies to give assurance of a building inspector that Technical Standards and Building Regulations, approved codes of practice and guidance are being complied with.
• Deputise for the Senior Fire Safety Advisor as required.

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.

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Essential Experience

• Proven experience working as a Fire Safety Advisor
• Proven experience/and understanding of working with PAS 79 and its fire risk assessment principles
• Proven experience/and understanding of auditing
 
Technical Requirements

• Membership of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or equivalent

Desirable
• A Level 4 qualification or above in Fire Safety
• For internal candidates: HMPPS FRA Course & HMPPS Train the Trainer RPE Course (external candidates will be expected to successfully complete these courses)

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

Required Hours Allowance 

This role requires regularly working unpredictable and unsocial hours and be on call to attend their place of work at any time. A 17% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/ Public holidays.

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
 

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

Allowance

Required Hours Allowance 

This role requires regularly working unpredictable and unsocial hours and be on call to attend their place of work at anytime. A 20% payment will be paid in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evening, nights, weekends and Bank / Public holidays.

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture, 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
500
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Making Effective Decisions

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Seeing the Big Picture
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
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.