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General Information

Salary
£75,610 - £83,170
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
London
Region
London
Closing Date
20-May-2026
Business Unit
Security Group
Post Type
Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Grade 7
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17267

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 9

Overview of the job

The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) is jointly run by HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Home Office’s Homeland Security Group (HSG) - and is the strategic centre for all counter terrorism work with offenders in England and Wales. The Unit provides vital, strategic coordination and threat leadership to the prison and probation sector, as well as having responsibility for a high-performing network of specialist counter terrorism staff and operational capabilities with a local to national scale.

JEXU’s National Counter Terrorism (CT) Lead (Prisons) plays a key role in taking forward HM Prison and Probation Service’s contribution to HMG’s Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST), providing leadership and management oversight to a large, regionally-dispersed ‘Operational Network’ of Counter-Terrorism (CT)-specialist Case Managers who work with HMPPS and partner agencies to assess and manage terrorist risk posed by nominals whilst in prisons.

The post is directly responsible for developing and delivering the vision and policy objectives for the prison side of JEXU’s Operational Network, ensuring mechanisms are in place to effectively oversee CT-specialist Case Management led regionally - acting as the senior day-to-day escalation point for tactical and strategic issues arising from this casework. In turn, this post is also responsible for driving a programme of continuous improvement and change within the Prison Operational Network to ensure the capabilities delivered are of the highest quality and remain at pace with the scale and complexity of the threat.

Summary

The National CT Lead (Prisons) is responsible for a high-profile and demanding portfolio of counter terrorism work in prisons - leading a large, geographically dispersed set of teams to deliver capabilities in 3 key areas:

• CT-specialist Case Management: Responsible for the delivery of HMPPS’s CT-specialist Case Management process (known as Pathfinder), the multi-agency mechanism through which HMPPS and partners manage the terrorist risk of individuals whilst in prison.

• Capacity and Capability Building: Responsible for the delivery of activities targeted at frontline seniors and practitioners operating in or responsible for prisons, which ensure they are equipped with the necessary knowledge to identify, report and manage terrorist risk effectively.

• Tactical Advice and Guidance: Responsible for ensuring sound and quality tactical advice to HMPPS and partners on matters concerning CT casework and CT activities affecting prisons more broadly.

The post is based at HMPPS HQ (102 Petty France, London), however regular travel to establishments, prison regional offices and Probation Service offices as partner offices will be required.

The post is non-operational, although it holds responsibility for a large and complex operational function. This role has line management responsibility.

The job holder must act with the highest levels of personal and professional integrity and champion these qualities in others.

The job holder must be vetted to Developed Vetting (DV) level before commencing in post and will be required to obtain STRAP clearance as soon as practicable.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

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

  • Lead for HMPPS’s Counter Terrorism (CT)-specialist Case Management (Pathfinder) in prisons: Oversee the delivery of the Pathfinder process in prisons ensuring activity to identify, assess and manage terrorist risk effectively and appropriately feeds custodial management decision-making and broader Offender Management arrangements.
  • National Oversight of CT Casework: Responsibility for the day-to-day work of the prison Operational Network, ensuring effective management mechanisms are in place which provide operational grip and reassurances surrounding the management of CT-specialist casework for which the function is responsible.
  • Training delivery: Work in collaboration with JEXU CT Learning and Development team and other key stakeholders to support the development and delivery of effective CT awareness and training products. Also responsible for identifying emerging training requirements that require the development of new or revised products.
  • Operational Partnerships: The post holder will have responsibility for fostering and maintaining effective partnerships within HMPPS and with law enforcement and United Kingdom Intelligence Community in support of our CT specialist Case Management effort.
  • Performance Monitoring: Responsible for ensuring appropriate levels of performance monitoring are in place across prisons to provide assurance on the health of HMPPS CT operation, taking remedial action where possible and escalating as necessary to secure wider support on individual or systemic issues impacting delivery.

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.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh. 

Behaviours

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

  • Changing and Improving - Application and Interview
  • Communicating and Influencing - Application and Interview
  • Leadership - Application and Interview
  • Seeing the Bigger Picture  - Application Only

Experience

  • Experience of managing and leading teams, inspiring and developing people to deliver their best is essential.
  • Knowledge and experience of prison security, intelligence and probation practices is essential.
  • Experience of counter-terrorism work in prisons would be advantageous.

Terms of contract

This post is available as a 2-year DD / loan appointment.

Additional Information

In line with HMPPS policy, there is an expectation that the role will be 60% office based.

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.

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
Candidates can contact Andrew Milner via email: Andrew.Milner@justice.gov.uk for further information / discussion of role in advance of applying.

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 17267

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
In person interviews to take place in 102 Petty France, London. Dates TBC.
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Leadership
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
Developed Vetting (DV)

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.