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General Information

Salary
£48,305 - £52,935
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Leeds, Manchester
Region
North West, Yorkshire and the Humber
Closing Date
18-Jul-2025
Business Unit
AGY - NOMS Agency
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
7447

Descriptions & requirements

Job description
Travel will be required to the whole of the North of England.


Overview of the job

The National Security Division (NSD) is formed of 5 regional units across England and Wales. Each National Security Unit (NSU) is responsible for the management of national security and national interest probation cases outside of the Probation Service (PS) regional structures. The units are:
  • North of England
  • Midlands
  • Wales and the South West
  • East and South Central
  • London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Each unit has operational satellite locations and consists of a combination of office and remote based working.   

The operational function comprises of a team who deliver enhanced sentence management to Terrorist Convicted/Connected cases (TACT), Terrorist Risk (TR), Critical Public Protection Cases (CPPC) and Serious Organised Crime cases (SOC) assessed as posing the highest threat/highest harm throughout England and Wales, and who require a national response to sentence management.  

The NSD Senior Operational Lead supports the Head of National Security Division working to the Director for the National Security Division, accountable to the Chief Probation Officer, to provide operational leadership within a regional National Security Unit. 

The NSD Senior Operational Lead is responsible for operational management and oversight of critical cases under the supervision of the Probation Service, ensuring that an enhanced level of sentence management is delivered.

The job holder will have direct line management responsibility for both operational and administrative staff within the unit.
 

Summary

Delivery of risk management within this team presents challenges and complexities outside of the usual experience of Team Managers/Senior Probation Practitioners. The job holder will require a high level of resilience and an understanding of national priorities to oversee the significant levels of ministerial and media scrutiny this cohort of cases attract. They will need to be confident presenting to senior HMPPS staff as well as senior officers in partnership agencies.   

The job holder is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of all operational aspects of their function within National Security Division. This requires a high level of operational knowledge of probation work and national priorities to be able to effectively line manage Probation Practitioners who are working to enhanced national standards.  

The job holder will be expected to manage and lead a geographically dispersed team of staff within a specialised team to deliver enhanced management of terrorist offenders, serious organised criminals and other critical public protection cases who present a national threat. This includes maintaining the delivery of function across a national landscape. 

The job holder will need to acquire and maintain an understanding of all relevant departments across HMPPS and Department of Security including: Probation Regions, Joint Extremism Unit, Serious Organised Crime Unit and other relevant departments.

They will need to demonstrate an ability to broker and maintain operational relationships with HMPPS colleagues and law enforcement partners at senior operational grades.   

The job holder must at all times demonstrate a commitment to equality and inclusion and an understanding of their relevance to the work they do, in line with wider Probation Service (PS) policies and procedures and in accordance with a specific understanding of the NSD cohorts of offenders.   

If relevant to the role, some out of hours working may be required.
 

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:  
  • Provide direct Line Management to a geographically dispersed specialist team of practitioners to deliver enhanced national standards to national security and critical public protection cases, which include TACT convicted, TACT concern, terrorist risk, high threat and high harm Serious Organised Crime nominals and most critical, highest profile CPPC cases.
  • The job holder is required to demonstrate an awareness of operational and reputational risk and be accountable for the quality delivery of good practice and team performance. They will be required to identify areas for improvement within policy and enhanced national standards in line with gold standard practice through quality assuring all assessments completed with the National Security Division.
  • Be alert to fast changing political climate and responsive to both National and International Security information to effectively manage risk posed by cases held in the National Security Division.
  • To access, interpret, analyse and apply performance data pro-actively in order to maximise National Security Division/team performance, evaluate practice and deliver organisational aims and provide operational assurance to Head of National Security Unit and Head of Performance and Quality. Support the division by ensuring accurate performance data is reported, and cases of concern are identified and escalated as required.
  • Represent the Unit/Division in national and regional multi-agency and cross government department meetings which may involve undertaking specific areas of responsibility as delegated by the Head of National Security Unit to support national portfolio projects.
  • To proactively manage staff development, issues of underperformance, attendance, health and safety, employee relations and diversity matters. Adopt a consistent, fair and objective standpoint when making decisions in relation to individual staff issues.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with operational counterparts in Probation regions and national/regional HMPPS departments such as JExU, SOCU, PPG. This may include developing and delivering training and continuous professional development activity with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Carry out safeguarding children and adults duties in accordance with the PS statutory responsibilities and agency policies and robustly demonstrate the need for safeguarding in the national security landscape.
  • Promote, chair and develop a core group approach to support MAPPA, incorporating a range of specialist operational functions including psychologists, polygraph leads and relevant external stakeholders.
  • Represent the National Security Division by engaging with internal and external partners and attending regional partnership forums such as MARSOC, Pathfinder and Prevent Boards for a multi-agency delivery of service.
  • Ensure the appropriate handling of highly sensitive information/intelligence.
  • Provide input into regional and national conferences, showcasing the work of the National Security Division, identifying opportunities for operational innovation and delivery whilst providing consultation for sentence/risk management where appropriate.
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. This is particularly pertinent given the relatively new formation of the national security division and the evolving nature of the work.

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

Behaviours

  • Seeing the Big Picture
  • Changing and Improving
  • Working Together
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Leadership

  Ability
  • Able to demonstrate well developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance reports.
  • Ability to work flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets across a national division.
  • Evidence of ability to evaluate practice.
  • Evidence of ability to provide a practice perspective on policy development.
  • Ability to chair multi-disciplinary meetings at a senior operational level.
 

Experience

  • Substantial experience with a proven record of good practice in a variety of settings (including offender risk assessment and management) as a Probation Officer or from working within another criminal justice agency or related work context.
  • Experience, knowledge and understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a multi-disciplinary setting.
  • Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements in quality and efficiency.
  • Experience of monitoring performance against predetermined targets, setting local targets and effecting necessary improvements.
  • Experience of managing relationships including working with key local and national agencies and stakeholders.
  • Evidence of preparing high level detailed written reports to be shared both internally and externally.
  • Experience in delivering training internally and to external agencies.
 

Technical

  • Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice. Or, a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the
  • Diploma in Probation Studies
  • Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option)
  • CQSW (with Probation Option.)
Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained in England and Wales were previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
  • There will be a requirement for NSD Senior Operational Lead within the National Security Division to apply for an enhanced level of vetting and to hold DV clearance.

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.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF).  Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

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

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices.  You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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: 7447

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: 7447

Please contact Andrew.Minister1@justice.gov.uk for any further queries regarding this vacancy.

Application form stage assessments

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
Specific qualification requirements
Technical requirement –
Must have one of the below qualifications:-
• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma/Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice.
• Or a qualification which was recognised at the time of qualification by the Secretary of State for Justice as per Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007. The following qualifications gained I England and Wales were Previously recognised as providing such eligibility:
• Diploma in Probation Studies
• Diploma in Social Work (with Probation option)
• CQSW (with Probation option)

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
TBC
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Leadership
Seeing the Big Picture
Working Together
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?
Other 1
Other - Assessment Title 1
There will be a scenario based question in the interview separate to the behaviours and strengths
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
Developed Vetting (DV)