Job Description

Details

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Reference number

411736
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Salary

44,590
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Senior Executive Officer###

Contract type

Permanent###

Business area

MOD - Head Office & Corporate Services###

Type of role

Operational Delivery###

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time###

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Southwick, South East England, PO17 6EJ

About the job

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Job summary

The Victim Witness Care Unit (VWCU) was established on 16 March 2023 and provides a central point of contact to victims and witnesses, providing support and guidance during their journey through the Service Justice System (SJS). The unit was created following several independent reviews of the SJS, where it was identified that there was an inconsistency in the level of support offered to victims and vulnerable witnesses of crime across Defence. The VWCU puts victims and witnesses at the heart of the investigative and judicial process, providing a truly end-to-end service for victims and witnesses of crime, from initial contact through to court and beyond.


The VWCU is independent of Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force chains of command and provides a central point of contact to victims and witnesses of serious crimes committed by service personnel in the UK and abroad. Our team of civilian Victim Liaison Officers (VLO) are trained to listen and provide coordinated support that is tailored to the individual. Our VLOs will ensure their clients voice is heard and their rights are met.


This position is advertised at 37 hours per week, with at least 3 days in office.

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Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to be the Deputy Head of a diverse and high-profile department, in a relatively new service within Defence, who have already exceeded expectations by providing a person centred and Trauma Informed Approach in supporting their clients through their journey in the SJS. You will support the Head of Department in continuing to supply and improve the standard of victim and witness support. You will work with multi-agencies and advise at a senior level on sensitive and time critical matters affecting victim's rights and well-being.


The post-holder will be responsible for the daily management of the VWCU, assisting with the direction and policy, improving culture, building public and organisational confidence and trust in the SJS. They will be accountable to the Head of Department and ultimately Provost Marshal (Serious Crime) for ensuring the delivery of service and, support to victims and witnesses of crime, which are delivered alongside current legislation and industry best practice. They will be responsible for the VWCU safeguarding of victims and witnesses of serious crime, as well as the team of Victim Liaison Officers (VLO), ensuring that their welfare and continuous development needs are met.

Main Responsibilities

As Deputy Head of the VWCU you will be responsible for:

To manage a department of Victim Liaison Officers including the overall responsibility for welfare, development and performance issues. Working with the military case manager to prioritise and manage caseloads Ensuring that the resources of the unit are effectively managed, and performance is maximised, including conducting case reviews for quality assurance Alongside the Head of department, identify and monitor areas of change and growth. Introduce and support new initiatives and policy changes in line with legislative amendments and MoD polices Take responsibility for managing change within victim and witness services ensuring compliance and consistency throughout the department. Work collaboratively and manage relations with internal stakeholders and partner organisations including DSCU, Service Police, Service Prosecution Authority, Prosecution Witness Liaison Unit, Military Courts Service, Probation Service, Military Corrective Training Centre, Prison Service, Public Protection Units, Local Authorities and support agencies to ensure a cohesive and collaborative approach, establishment of good practice and identifying risk when necessary To advocate for the delivery of quality victim care at a senior level with an expert understanding of the Service Justice System, Victim Code of Practice, Witness Charter and other guidance and legislation around care and support for the departments clients base To represent victim and witness services on a number of internal and external platforms providing advice and guidance where required, by delivering tailored briefings and presentations to all levels of Defence and external organisations To monitor performance data against key performance indicators, ensuring the processes and procedures are fit for purpose. This will identify areas for continuous improvement and professional development of the service provided To ensure relevant performance data is collated and shared with partners for all of the business areas To act as line manager for the civil service and contracted VLOs To act as Head of Department in their absence

This is a busy role requiring prompt action and excellent organisational skills. The post holder will also need to be able to draft clear and concise reports for senior officers and Ministers on complex and sensitive matters. Occasional travel outside of location will be required

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Person specification

Essential

Line Management experience Identifying and develop resource requirements, supporting effective workforce planning. Provide timely accurate information to the Hd of Dept to enable informed decisions making Experience in developing and contributing to the development and delivery of policies and procedures Ability to develop and contribute to the communication strategy for the department Proven record of partnership working and stakeholder engagement Knowledge of how to identify, share and promote best practices and lessons learned to create a culture of learning and good practice that supports team capability and continuous improvements to optimise project delivery Demonstrate the ability to work effectively under pressure, using initiative to prioritise tasks for both yourself and the team Knowledge of the Victims Code of Practice

Desirable

Knowledge of the Service Justice System Experience in managing a high-profile MOD department Experience in creating a strategic plan and implementing the vision and direction of the department Experience of management of data performance ###

Behaviours

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


Leadership Seeing the Big Picture Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service Communicating and Influencing

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Leadership Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes 12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
As a civil servant within VWCU, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, and a job that makes a difference. VWCU prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.


Other benefits for civil servants include:

25 Days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years' service A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Personal & professional development Access to a confidential, professional support service Discount schemes. Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave. Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. Our office in Defence School of Policing and Security (DSPS) in Fareham, also offers an impressive range of on-site facilities including a gymnasium, swimming pool, and other sporting facilities, a coffee shop, a shop and plenty of free car parking spaces

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.


The post does not offer relocation expenses.


External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.



Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.


Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.


The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.


MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey - We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.


Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history, previous skills, experience and a personal statement (Max 500 words) providing evidence against the essential criteria.


We'll assess you against these behaviours during the Application stage:

Leadership Seeing the Bigger Picture

When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected.


We'll assess you against these behaviours during the Interview stage:

Delivering at Pace Managing a Quality Service Communication and Influencing
Please note, if you are selected for an interview, it will be held in person. We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for interviews

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Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.


The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .


The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.


The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out


This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative, Making the Civil Service a Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative policy


As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system.


Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.###

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Nationality requirements

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) 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
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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 .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.###

Diversity and 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 .

Apply and further information

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This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.###

Contact point for applicants

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Job contact :

Name : VWCU Management Team (Nina Slocombe/Lee Smith) Email : people-vwcu-management@mod.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk ###

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk.