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General Information

Salary
The national salary range is £81,338 - £89,472, London salary range is £84,458 - £94,690. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
National
Region
National
Closing Date
11-Sep-2026
Business Unit
Security Group
Post Type
Detached Duty, Loan
Civil Service Grade
Grade 6
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
21609

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

HMPPS Band 10

JEXU’s Head of Projects & Programme and Learning & Development plays a key, strategic role in taking forward HM Prison and Probation Service’s contribution to the government’s Counter Terrorism Strategy (CONTEST), providing vital systems leadership to direct and support internal functions and partner agencies to deliver counter terrorism work effectively in this sector. 

 

The post holder will manage a team to deliver three core functions; to oversee the JEXU Change Function, to lead/oversee priority programmes and projects and to develop the specialist counter-terrorism learning and development offer. More broadly, the post holder is expected to regularly deputise for the Head of JEXU (Deputy Director), both internally and externally, and play an active role in JEXU SMT and SLT. In addition:

 

·         Recruit and upskill a team of circa 18 to deliver an ambitious programme of change and L&D. Ensure the team have or have access to qualifications to deliver specialist skills of project management, programme management, counter-terrorism expertise, policy writing and learning and development. The post holder is expected to take ownership of delivery of cross-Directorate programmes/projects and hold teams outside their management to account, including teams in other government departments. 

·         Develop the JEXU change function to ensure the unit has the skills and capabilities to manage transformational change and continuous improvement.

 ·         Embed best practice and offer consultancy across the unit, including use of Project Initiation Documents, gantt charts, SWOT analysis etc. 

 ·         To ensure JEXU change priorities effectively represents the current challenges and issues that need a strategic response against the evolving counter-terrorism landscape and risk posed by terrorist and terrorist-risk offenders.

 ·         Deliver in-year prioritisation through; consultation with stakeholders across HMPPS and other government departments; using programme management tools to deconflict timelines and resourcing to sequence projects; finalising through a series of sign off points, including JEXU Senior Leadership Team and HMPPS/HSG Directors. 

 o   Work collaboratively to oversee JEXU change priorities including responses to the highest priority work i.e. Pathfinder Reform - which aims to strengthen multi-agency case management, oversight arrangements and intelligence sharing to effectively manage terrorist risk; outcomes of reviews and recommendations, acute operational risks/gaps etc.:

o   Actively manage interdependencies and resource changes to keep the activity on track.

o   ensuring they deliver quality, measurable outcomes on time and on budget.

o   Add both project management skills and subject matter expertise to policy outcomes.

o   Proactively escalate risks and delivery milestones to HMPPS and HSG Directors, senior officials and Ministers.

·         Oversee the JEXU L&D budget to transform HMPPS’ counter-terrorism learning and development offer, as well as building the right skills and capabilities across JEXU. Culminating in the delivery of evaluated, professional, fit-for-purpose learning pathways and training.

·         Contract external bodies to design and deliver training, including to develop core counter-terrorism training for all HMPPS staff. Remain cognisant of the operational landscape, challenges of non-effective hours and competing training priorities, and consider how to innovatively overcome these challenges. Drive the team and influence the JEXU Operational Network, who deliver core training, to meet the challenging target of training every member of HMPPS staff by end 2023. 

·         Develop a set of bespoke, evaluated specialist counter-terrorism training products for specialist staff to keep their knowledge current and ensure they are best equipped to manage terrorist risk across prison and probation. Responsible for contract and relationships with external bodies delivering discovery and courses.

·         Responsible for maintaining an overview of change across the sector and across HMPPS where it will impact JEXU staff

·         Present breadth of change across the sector at quarterly joint HMPPS/HSG Director chaired Counter-Terrorism Strategic Sector Board.

·         Underpinned by developing and maintaining excellent relationships across teams and departments. The post holder will need to deliver with authority and integrity in a tricky landscape and, if responding to a terrorist incident, under intense pressure. Influencing peers and seniors to deliver against JEXU objectives whilst appreciating the operational reality will be key to success.

Corporately contribute to HMPPS and Home Office leadership, including JEXU’s Senior Management and Leadership Teams. Contribute to cross-Directorate activity, representative on Directorate of Security Senior Leadership Team. As part of the joint nature of JEXU, also contribute and represent JEXU in HSG and CTD Senior Management Team. 

Loan/Detached Duty - 9 months with option to extend to 12 months.

Mandatory Qualification -  Recognised project management qualifications or equivalent experience e.g. PRINCE2, Association for Project Management (APM), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).

Candidate will need to have already obtained SC in order to be eligible for the post, please add requirement to campaign build.

DV desirable

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.

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 21609

Please contact Colette.wright@justice.gov.uk if you have any questions regarding this vacancy.

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
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Candidate will need to have already obtained SC in order to be eligible for the post, please add requirement to campaign build.
Specific qualification requirements
Recognised project management qualifications or equivalent experience e.g. PRINCE2, Association for Project Management (APM), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).

Candidate will need to have already obtained SC in order to be eligible for the post, please add requirement to campaign build.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
To be confirmed
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
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
Security Clearance (SC)

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.