Head of NCVPP Communications and Engagement, National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls & Public Protection (NCVPP)

Job summary

This post is a homeworking post or based at sites in either Ryton CV8 3EN, Harperley Hall Durham DL15 8DS or London E14 4PU. Hybrid working opportunities can also be discussed prior to you taking up your post. Please note, regular travel will be required.

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.

Our mission is: Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

Although we are a relatively small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Additional Information:

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. Therefore, while successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service cannot be guaranteed on existing terms and conditions, and new starter/modernised terms may apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process.

Our vetting

If you are successful at interview, you will be required to undertake pre-employment security checks. You will be sent a security questionnaire which must be accessed within 24 hours.

Please note, these checks can take up to 10 weeks. You will only be offered a start date after the checks have been completed. If the outcome of these checks is not satisfactory, your recommendation for employment will be withdrawn.

Job description

National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls & Public Protection

Would you like to join a skilled and dedicated team of professionals who are committed to reducing the prevalence of VAWG and Public Protection (PP) offences across England and Wales, as part of a wider-system approach?

This is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to join the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls & Public Protection (NCVPP) which provides support to forces in tackling the threat of VAWG and PP and improving our services to victims. You will also work with academics, victim groups and across Government to support our ambition and to ensure our work reflects the lived experiences of diverse communities.

We are working to continually train and upskill our officers and staff with the specialist knowledge and expertise required to carry out their roles effectively. We also continue to develop programmes, expanding on existing best practice with a focus on perpetrators and preventing life-long harm to victims.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a nationally significant programme with real-world impact.
• Work in a dynamic, supportive, and mission-driven environment.
• Contribute to shaping policy and practice at the highest level informed by the best possible evidence.

At the NCVPP, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where diversity is valued, equity is embedded, and every voice matters. We champion fair recruitment, foster belonging, and integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles across our research, practice, and partnerships to ensure our work reflects and serves the diverse communities we protect.

We welcome applications from candidates of all ethnicities, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities and socio-economic backgrounds.

The NCVPP is jointly hosted by the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

At the NCVPP, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where diversity is valued, equity is embedded, and every voice matters. We champion fair recruitment, foster belonging, and integrate Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles across our research, practice, and partnerships to ensure our work reflects and serves the diverse communities we protect. We welcome applications from candidates of all ethnicities, faiths, genders, sexual orientations, disabilities and socio-economic backgrounds.

If you’re excited by our mission but don’t meet 100% of the criteria, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and perspective could be just what we need. For more information about the NCVPP, visit: National centre for violence against women and girls and public protection , College of Policing

Violence Against Women and Girls affects millions of people each year: 1.1 million experiencing sexual assault, 2.2 million experiencing domestic abuse, 1.5 million experiencing stalking. The NCVPP sits at the heart of the national effort to change this, working across 43 police forces to drive consistency, raise standards and improve outcomes for victims and survivors. This is a rare opportunity to build something new. You'll shape how the centre communicates, influence policing practice across England and Wales, and contribute to a mission that will make a tangible difference to people's lives.

An opportunity to lead communications for a new national organisation driving change across policing

The government has committed to halving Violence Against Women and Girls within a decade. The National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection (NCVPP) is newly formed to make that ambition a reality, transforming how policing responds to these crimes across England and Wales. We're looking for an exceptional police communications leader to establish the NCVPP as the authoritative voice on VAWG and public protection in policing, building our identity from the ground up and driving change across policing. This is a rare opportunity to shape communications for a national organisation from the ground up. You'll work on issues that matter, with variety and challenge, as part of a national effort to make a real difference.

Reporting to the Director's office, you'll lead the NCVPP's communications and engagement function, working at the centre of policing. You'll build a team and shape how we communicate our strategic priorities and build relationships across a complex landscape that includes police forces, Home Office, College of Policing, NPCC, and VAWG and public protection sector stakeholders.

Person specification

You'll be responsible for:

• Providing strategic vision and professional leadership for NCVPP communications

• Partnering with College of Policing and NPCC communications leads to influence communications across police system leaders

• Delivering clear, innovative and proactive communications that support forces in tackling VAWG

• Leading a team of communications and engagement professionals

• Building and maintaining relationships across policing, government and the wider sector

Strategic leadership

• Develop and deliver the NCVPP's communications strategy, positioning the Centre as a single, cohesive entity across its full remit

• Build the NCVPP's identity and reputation, ensuring consistent messaging that reaches frontline officers through to senior stakeholders

• Lead responsive communications and provide guidance to forces on communicating sensitively with victims, survivors and affected communities

• Partner with College of Policing and NPCC communications leads to influence communications across policing system leaders

Delivery and innovation

• Lead digital-first, channel-optimised communications campaigns that drive measurable behaviour change

• Use audience insight and data to shape strategies and evaluate impact

• Develop governance structures and business planning for the communications function

• Manage press enquiries and proactive media engagement

People and partnerships

• Build, lead and develop a high-performing team

• Work in matrix structures across the College of Policing, NPCC and NCVPP in a largely virtual environment

• Engage and influence stakeholders at national, regional and force level

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Extensive experience in creating and implementing communication strategies to achieve connection with stakeholders particularly frontline operational audiences.
• Skilled at creating and leading high performing teams, bringing collaboration and flexibility in a complex stakeholder and matrix working environment.
• Strong crisis communications capability and the ability to provide guidance to forces on communicating sensitively with victims, survivors and affected communities.
• Understanding of criminal justice system such as safeguarding, child protection and broader public protection issues in the political and policy context, related to standards, evidence-based practice and implementation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £66,360, College of Policing contributes £19,224 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

College staff have Public Servant status. As a Public Servant, you are eligible to join the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

The College is a great place to work. We're passionate about our people and offer a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to):

• Defined benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Up to 31.5 days holiday (this is in addition to 8 public holidays and 1 privilege day)
• Continued professional development and structured career paths
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Flexi-time (for certain grades)
• Benenden Healthcare
• National Dental Plan
• Discounts for on-line shopping
• Free employee support line
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Rewards and recognition scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

We have a number of thriving staff networks that provide the opportunity for advice, support and to drive change. A place to get your voice heard, share experiences and challenge our working practices to ensure equality of opportunity for all.

For more information about our benefits and staff networks, visit What we offer as an employer , College of Policing

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, Experience and Technical skills.

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.

Vacancy reference: 7066

Anticipated interview dates: Week Commencing 16th March 2026

An initial sift based on the lead Technical Skill ‘Extensive experience in creating and implementing communication strategies to achieve connection with stakeholders particularly frontline operational audiences’ may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

This role is available until 31 March 2027 as a fixed term appointment or as a secondment opportunity to:

• colleagues employed directly by the College or the Civil Service. Please note you will be required to obtain the written support of your line manager prior to submitting your application.
• serving police staff at the equivalent rank of Superintendent who have their chief officer's approval. Chief Officer’s approval must be of NPCC rank, i.e., CC, ACC or DCC. Approval for a secondment must accompany an application
• serving police officers substantive in the rank of Superintendent. All applicants must have the support of their Chief Officer which must be of NPCC rank, i.e., CC, ACC or DCC and this must accompany an application.

Please note applicants applying from force must have approval for a secondment, without this your application will not progress beyond sift, even if you are successful.

Central service conditions may apply.

Please ensure you return the attached secondment approval form either as an attachment when submitting your application or via email to recruitment@college.police.uk.

For further information on applying for a secondment please visit the “Secondments into the College” page.

For fixed Term contracts:

Whilst this fixed term contract is offered on the understanding that it will only last as long as the stated contract length, there could be a possibility that it could be extended or made permanent should circumstances allow.

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

How to apply and contact information:

For further information visit our ‘Work for us’ page.

What it's like working at the College of Policing

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact Yvette Appleton at Yvette.Appleton@college.police.uk

Familiarisation Session – Tuesday 17 February, 2:00–2:45pm (Virtual)
We’re hosting an informal virtual familiarisation session for anyone interested in applying for these roles. This is an opportunity to meet members of the team, get a feel for the work we do, and ask any questions you might have before submitting your application. If you’d like to attend, please email Jane.Crockett@college.police.uk to book your place. We look forward to welcoming you and your queries.

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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

We believe that a diverse workforce brings many benefits to the organisation including diversity of thought and improvements to the way we work internally and with partners and communities. We strive to be fully inclusive but we know there is more to do. We genuinely encourage people from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups to apply for this role.

We want to continually improve our recruitment processes and to remove any barriers to equal opportunities that could disadvantage those from particular backgrounds. In order for us to have the information to do this, we ask you to please complete the diversity section of the online application process. We use a “blind” shortlisting process and we hope that by using this method we will be able to promote greater diversity in our workforce and remove any subconscious decisions based on biases.

The College is committed to support the Greening Government Commitment and reducing our Environmental impact. We have a dynamic Environmental Management Plan in place which encompasses various objectives, including our pledge to reduce business travel. To support our green agenda we have, in phase one, installed Electric Vehicle Charging Points at our sites in Ryton (12 points) and Harperley Hall (4 points) alongside two at our Harrogate office. We encourage employees to become an Environment Champion to help with promoting and delivering our Environmental Management Plan. Our One Step Greener approach encourages all College staff to make small changes to create a better future for everyone.

Please note that in order to work for the College of Policing you must have the Right to Work in the UK with indefinite leave to remain. In addition, you will also be required to provide an address history in the UK for the preceding 3 years.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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 : College of Policing Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk

Attachments

JD_NCVPP Comms_role Opens in new window (pdf, 184kB)Secondment approval form Opens in new window (docx, 81kB)