Operational Head of Function - Complex - HMP Bedford

This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.

General Information

Salary

£54,148

Working Pattern

Full Time

Does this role attract Excess Fares or PIT/Relocation terms

Relocation / PIT Terms

Vacancy Approach

Cross Government

Location

Bedford

Region

East of England

Closing Date

12-Jul-2026

Business Unit

Bedford

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

19265

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview

Job holders within this Group Profile will report to the Deputy Governor and be responsible for managing a function within an establishment which has been defined as standard complexity, including management of all staff within the function.

The job holder will need to ensure that they implement robust systems to manage the function, as they will often be distanced from front-line duties and will need to delegate appropriately.

They will be required to robustly apply national policies in their area and draft local policies accordingly

These are operational prisoner facing roles.

Characteristics

Typical tasks associated with this Group Profile include:

Accountable for the performance of the Function and the staff within it. Manage the achievement of qualitative and quantitative standards including Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) within the Function, verifying and signing off documentation as appropriate. Analyse and act upon data which is relevant to their Function

Act as the Governor's representative by chairing adjudications and taking charge of day-to-day establishment operations as Duty Governor

Promote Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours e.g. promote diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-offending agendas

Review open Assessment Care in Custody teamwork (ACCT) as and when required in line with audit baselines

Provide leadership and management of the Function. Will have the skills to apply all Human Resources (HR) related policies and practices and be able to carry out all aspects of people management such as Attendance Management, Disciplinary Investigations, Performance Management and Staff Appraisals

Manage Prisoners Complaints Process within the Function

Responsible for ensuring all litigation claims relevant to the area have been dealt with in accordance with policy

Oversee the compilation and regular progress reporting of performance improvement programmes

Manage the appropriate authorisation of Financial Compliance Statements

Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial procedures outlined in the budget delegation

Ensure that the Function produces and analyses audit and establishment performance management information identifying variances and areas requiring improvements

Contribute to the establishment’s overall achievement of (SDIs) and standards and be accountable for the performance and delivery of targets relating to the budget; People Plan for the Function.

Accountable for all local and national policies relating to the Function, and ensure procedures implemented are compliant, including the development of new policies

Contribute to the development and delivery of the medium-to-long term strategic and business plan for the establishment, with overall responsibility for implementation within their Function

Attend relevant boards/meetings and actively contribute either as chair or team member

Responsible for ensuring the defined work areas and associated activities comply with Health and Safety legislation. Ensure all risk assessments are undertaken and staff are made aware of their personal responsibility towards Health and Safety compliance

Work collaboratively and provide constructive challenge to colleagues to ensure that their own and other Functions are joined up and together contribute towards the overall delivery of the establishment’s performance

Contribute to the preparation of the establishment contingency and emergency plans and ensure implementation when required.

Ensure the effective use of staff resources and the provision of training and annual leave opportunities

Produce relevant reports as required and ensure that the responses to all correspondence are within agreed timescales

Carry out investigations and administration in relation to incidents of potential discrimination and report on findings

Accountable for ensuring actions arising from Standard Audit, His Majesty Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) Action Plans and Managing Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys, including local self audit action plans and Resettlement strategies, are delivered

Deliver and implement projects as directed by the Governor

Actively encourage staff engagement within the Function to ensure objectives are met.

Job Descriptions relating to this Group Profile

The job holder once in post will be matched to a job description: a sample list is attached below. Posts are either rotational or non-rotational within this Group Profile and this will be specified on specific job descriptions.

Head of Function Standard Complex : Corruption Prevention and Counter Terrorism

Head of Function Standard Complex : Operations

Head of Function Standard Complex : Operations YP

Head of Function Standard Complex : Offender Management

Head of Function Standard Complex : Drug Strategy & Healthcare Provision

Head of Function Standard Complex : Performance Assurance

Head of Function Standard Complex : Safer Prisons and Equality

Head of Function Standard Complex :Diversity and Inclusion

Head of Function Standard Complex :Head of Progression Regime

Head of Function Standard Complex : Head of Women’s and Perinatal Pathway

Head of Function Standard Complex : Drug Strategy Lead

Essential Skills/ Qualifications/ Accreditation/ Registration

Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.

Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).

W HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of Function roles.

When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People.

Successful completion of workbook.

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

Hours of Work and Allowances

37 hour week

Required Hours Allowance

This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment at the current approved organisation rate will be made 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.

Behaviours

Delivering at Pace

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Managing a Quality Service

Changing and Improving

Making Effective Decisions

Technical Requirements

N.B these are the technical requirements for the group profile, please check the individual job description relating to this group profile for any job specific requirements and add if required.

Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post.

Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5 prior to 1999).

W HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of Function roles.

When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability to work with Young People

Successful completion of workbook

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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, w 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. T 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 wver 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

T 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

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);

To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);

To the Civil Service Commission (details available )

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 wver 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: 19265

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: 19265

Allowance

RHA

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.

EFA & PIT

This vacancy attracts the following Additional Allowances

Relocation / PIT Terms

Job Description Attachment

HMPPS OR T 57 GP Head of Function Standard Complex Operational v11.0.pdf (Job Description Attachment)

Select new file

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

Must be successfully accredited by passing the Head of

Function Assessment Centre (HFAC), or prior to 2016 be

accredited as an Operational Manager (or in post as a G5

prior to 1999).

W HFAC accreditation was gained from 2018, the

Incident Management Silver Command (IMSC) assessment

must also be passed to be eligible for operational Head of

Function roles.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates

Interviews expected to take place in July

Behaviours

Delivering at Pace

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Working Together

Managing a Quality Service

Changing and Improving

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 .

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. W 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.