UK National Preventive Mechanism - Head of NPM Secretariat (Ref: 14720)

Job summary

This position can be based Nationally or at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4BB

Job description

THE NATIONAL PREVENTIVE MECHANISM

The UK National Preventive Mechanism (UKNPM) was established in 2009 following the UK’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT). It comprises 21 statutory bodies that independently monitor places of detention to prevent torture and ill-treatment.

The UK’s National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) was established in March 2009 after the UK ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) in December 2003. It is made up of 21 statutory bodies that independently monitor places of detention.

The NPM was set up to ensure regular visits to places of detention in order to prevent torture and other ill-treatment, as required by OPCAT. OPCAT recognises that people in detention are particularly vulnerable and requires States to set up a national level body that can support efforts to prevent their ill treatment. The NPM must have, as a minimum, the powers to:

• regularly examine the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in all places of detention under the UK’s jurisdiction and control;
• make recommendations to relevant authorities with the aim of improving the treatment and conditions of persons deprived of their liberty;
• submit proposals and observations on existing or draft legislation

The NPM publishes an annual report of its work which is presented to Parliament by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. For further information on the role and work of the NPM, please visit National Preventive Mechanism – National Preventive Mechanism.

This is a senior leadership role requiring collaboration with NPM members, government officials, and international bodies. The post holder will lead delivery of the NPM business plan, manage governance processes, and influence detention policy and practice across the UK.

About The Role

The National Preventive Mechanism is looking for an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Head of the UKNPM Secretariat. This is a key post working in collaboration with 21 NPM-member organisations, their heads and senior staff to provide policy, research and secretarial support to the NPM. This role will manage a large network of relationships and work closely and collaboratively with NPM members and the Chair. They are responsible for driving and managing the work of the NPM, liaising closely with all members to develop consensus on joint priorities and work across the NPM. They will lead on the development of NPM objectives and the development and delivery of an NPM business plan. They will also lead the production of the NPM annual report.

The role involves facilitating collaborative working, balancing competing demands, juggling priorities, and defining clear objectives between different organisations and senior stakeholders. The post holder will draw on the different views and experiences from across the NPM, supporting its 21 member bodies to work together in pursuit of common objectives and influence detention policy and practice in line with international obligations.

The post-holder will liaise on behalf of the NPM with government, international bodies and a wide range of high-level external stakeholders and provide advice and support to its constituent members. This post involves some liaison with relevant international human rights bodies such as the UN treaty body the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) and the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Lead development and delivery of the NPM business plan and annual report.
• Monitor and report progress to the Steering Group, ensuring effective governance and risk management.
• Implement recommendations from strategic reviews to strengthen governance, structure, and resources.
• Provide strategic advice and input into NPM task and finish groups and subgroups.
• Lead the development of external reports and training materials for a wide variety of issues and audiences.

Coordination & Collaboration

• Facilitate and promote collaborative working among 21 NPM member organisations.
• Build consensus on joint priorities and support members to implement OPCAT obligations.
• Encourage sharing of best practice and human rights expertise across the network.

External Engagement

• Act as primary liaison between UKNPM members and UK government officials on OPCAT implementation.
• With the UKNPM Chair where appropriate, represent the NPM to senior stakeholders, NGOs, parliamentarians, and international bodies (e.g., UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, Council of Europe CPT).
• Speak at external events and manage NPM communications, including social media and policy briefings.

Resource & People Management

• Manage NPM budget, financial reporting, and resource bids.
• Line manage the NPM staff team and oversee external consultants.
• Work collaboratively with the NPM Coordinator in Scotland.

Essential Skills & Experience

1. Proven ability to support complex, multi-stakeholder organisations and deliver to agreed business plans.
2. Strong strategic thinking and influencing skills; ability to operate credibly at senior levels across government and civil society.
3. Experience in policy development, governance, and human rights law application.
4. Proven experience in managing complex priorities, managing delivery risks effectively.
5. Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including the ability to be flexible and in motivating diverse and remote teams.
6. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to manage competing priorities.
7. Ability to work independently and in a self-motivated way to a high standard.
8. Expert sector knowledge in criminal justice, health, human rights, or scrutiny.

Desirable

1. Budget management experience.
2. Understanding of international torture prevention frameworks.
3. Experience monitoring places of detention.
4. Background in policy, communications, or organisational development.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Behaviours

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

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

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,511, Ministry of Justice contributes £16,950 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 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.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 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 5359

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/14720?entityId=14720