Counter Terrorism Specialist (Ref: 13272)

Job summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job description

For some postholders, there may be a requirement to undergo DV vetting.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview of the job

The Joint Extremism Unit (JEXU) is jointly run by HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and the Home Office, Office of Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) and is the strategic centre for all counter-terrorism work in HMPPS. It has oversight of delivery across the end-to-end offender management process, including probation. The unit drives closer working with strategic policy and law enforcement partners, with HMPPS retaining its responsibility for operational management decisions, and Home Office for counter-terrorism and counter-extremism policy across government.

The unit encompasses the entire policy making process, from strategy to operational delivery and consists of a mix of policy officials and operational staff across England and Wales.

JEXU is currently introducing, reviewing and developing a number of counter- terrorism policies, the design and implementation of which will require leadership, specialist knowledge and understanding of extremism and terrorism. The post holder will manage a small team dedicated to developing and delivering counter- terrorism policy. They will be managed by the Policy and Projects Team lead who will support the post holder to present developments to JEXU Senior Management Team and the post holder will have regular sessions with the Head of JEXU.

Summary

The post holder will focus on developing JEXU policies and reviewing and evaluating existing policy. Working closely with multiple stakeholders across government and academia is essential. Core stakeholders include Whitehall departments, Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), police, Charity Commission, Ofcom, local authorities and community leaders.

The post holder will manage their team to conduct research, analysis and evaluation of policy areas which include; strengthening vetting of staff, reviewing engagement with external groups and charities and continuing to develop interventions to lead offenders away from extremism in prisons.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

The post holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• The post requires expertise in Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK.
• To lead in the creation, development and analysis of policy designed to identify and counter terrorism and extremism in prisons and probation.
• To commission and oversee quality research and analysis within JEXU and work closely with relevant departments across government to ensure a consistent approach to counter-terrorism.
• To deliver a project management approach to policy areas.
• To act as a point of expertise on Islamist extremist individuals, groups and ideologies in the UK; including briefing a wide range of audiences across governments and partners on the outcome of research.
• Developing a system to ensure JEXU is kept up-to-date with relevant think- tank and academic research and analysis in the subject area.
• To deliver excellent line management and leadership duties.
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post 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 post holder.

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  
  Experience

Essential understanding of Islamist and Right Wing Terrorist ideology, extremist narratives, groups and networks in the UK, including knowledge and understanding of the following:
• Government Counter Extremism Strategy and Prevent Strategy
• Extremist networks and groups currently active in the UK
• Key Islamist and Right Wing Terrorism narratives, and how they are used in a modern UK context by various groups/individuals
• The history of how UK-based jihadist and political Islamist networks developed from 1980s to today

Proven experience of:
• Employment in counter-extremism and/or counter terrorism work
• A project management approach to policy delivery
• Conducting and editing research, analysis and/or policy papers
• Delivering excellent writing, research and data analysis skills

We would also like to know details of any published quality work on the subject (e.g. research papers, books, op-eds), any media appearances or any other achievements that may be relevant to the role.

The successful candidate will need to go through SC clearance.

Ability

Fluent Arabic reading/speaking is desirable.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,040, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £17,393 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

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 (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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) (opens in a new window)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) 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

Job contact :

• Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
• Telephone : 0345 241 5358

Recruitment team

• Email : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitm…

https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/13272?entityId=13272