HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 9
Directorate: Generic - Policy
Job Description: Senior Policy Manager
Document Ref.
HQ JES 2088 Generic - Senior Policy Manager
Document Type
Management
Version
5.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
29 September 2023
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
HQ JES 2088 Generic - Senior Policy Manager v5.0
Job Description
Job Title
Senior Policy Manager
Directorate
Generic - Policy
Band
9
Overview of the
The job holder provides strategic leadership and is responsible
job
for planning and managing the work of the policy unit.
Summary
The job holder will be a member of Senior Management Team
within the Group, focusing on developing and advising on policy
and improving organisational performance across a range of
issues, as well as leading on briefing for the whole group.
Responsible for agreeing operational policy priorities with
Ministers and senior HMPPS officials, ensuring delivery of
agreed outputs and business plan targets and develop strategic
relationships with internal and external partners and
stakeholders at a CEO and Director level.
The job holder will be required to represent HMPPS in meetings
with outside organisations and stakeholders and Other
Government Departments.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Ensure that all policies are safe, legal, decent and
affordable, remain compliant with relevant legislation and
are sensitive to the needs of the operational line.
• Responsible for the delivery of well researched, quality
assured and timely policies that support identified
business need.
• Draft replies to more complex ministerial submissions,
ministers’ cases, PQs, IMB and HMIP recommendations.
• Work closely with strategic policy holders within the MoJ
and other Government Departments and their Agencies to
deliver Ministerial ambition through operational policies.
• Build strong working relationships with Ministers’ Private
Offices, senior officials, external non-departmental public
body stakeholders and third sector partners.
• Accountable for writing and implementing policy strategy
that is appropriately tailored and conforms HMPPS
business plan and wider organizational objectives.
• Developing and implementing a relevant business plan
that addresses how HMPPS can meets its responsibilities
in advancing; including the staffing and budgetary
resource required and delivery costs.
• Setting up projects, with appropriate governance
HQ JES 2088 Generic - Senior Policy Manager v5.0
arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and
mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior
managers and stakeholders.
• Oversee and approve draft business cases and impact
assessments arising from policy development /
modification. Ensure requirements for any central
monitoring arrangements have been discussed with
relevant stakeholders and have been set up and are fit for
purpose.
• Quality assure and approve all advice to Ministers and
senior HMPPS officials related to policies.
• Oversee projects within team, ensuring appropriate
governance arrangements to support the project,
identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on
progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Develop and manage projects relationship with key
external stakeholders/policy holders at senior level to
ensure value for money.
• Represent HMPPS in responses and defence to legal
challenges brought by prisoners / staff or other external
factors in relation to the full range of policies. Brief
Treasury Solicitors and Counsel on policy and law
underpinning decisions, and, where necessary, brief
Ministers on the implications of possible outcomes. Where
necessary, consider remedial policy action and obtain
buy-in from Ministers and senior officials.
• Interpret relevant performance data and research
evidence to develop explanations for disproportionality in
outcomes - and other examples of unfairness - for
offenders of different protected groups.
• Accountable for the delivery of well researched, quality
assured and timely responses.
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
• Changing and Improving
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Leadership
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Experience
• The role requires relevant experience in the management,
review and development of policy at a national level.
HQ JES 2088 Generic - Senior Policy Manager v5.0
Technical
Requirements
Ability
• Excellent briefing skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent inter-personal and presentational skills.
Minimum
Please do not alter this box
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 HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
HQ JES 2088 Generic - Senior Policy Manager v5.0