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Location
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office has one of the most challenging and critical jobs in Whitehall: to keep Britain safe and secure. We operate at the heart of the Government's agenda, leading on immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime policy, counter-extremism and counter-terrorism and work to ensure visible, responsive, and accountable policing in the UK. The challenges the Department faces are significant and can change rapidly in the global environment in which we operate, making this one of the most exciting and stimulating Government Departments in which to work.
The Forensic Information Databases Service (FINDS) administers national systems that identify links between forensic evidence found at scenes of crime and arrestees (and on occasion other individuals such as vulnerable persons and missing persons), ultimately ensuring the integrity of records held on multiple national Forensic Information Databases: the National DNA Database (NDNAD); IDENT1 (Fingerprint and Custody Image collections); the National Footwear Database (NFD); and the Police National Computer (PNC).
Job description
The FINDS Operations and Assurance Manager provides strategic leadership and direction to ensure effective delivery of NFPO (National Fingerprint & PNC Office) services and Assurance of IDENT1 Fingerprint records, and for the new IDENT1 Unified Collection of Custody Images (UCCI), to UK Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in line with quality, business, and service standards.
This is a critical role in maximising the contribution of the NFPO and IDENT1, increasing the value of FINDS to policing and the wider criminal justice system by supporting the reduction of crime, bringing criminals to justice, and maintaining public confidence in FINDS.
Due to the nature of the role, this is full-time only.
There will be the requirement to travel to other Home Office sites or to events, such as conferences, as part of this role.
Due to the complex nature of the work conducted as part of the role, any successful candidate must be prepared to attend the office on a full-time basis for approx. 1-3 months whilst undergoing training. The length of time this will take will depend on the background of the successful candidate.
Following this and 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 employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder.
Responsibilities
- Operate as part of the FINDS Senior Leadership Team (SLT), significantly contributing to the strategic direction of the Unit, deputise activities on behalf of the Head of Unit, and support performance / progress reviews of FINDS delivery to the Business Plan.
- Responsible for operational delivery of NFPO processing and fingerprint services in line with customer requirements agreed by the FIND Strategy Board and NPCC Fingerprint and Footwear Strategy Board. This encompasses, resource management, work force planning and operational risk and security management.
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to develop and implement effective assurance strategies to maintain the integrity of IDENT1, PNC and other FINDS NFPO systems, and embed best practice within the organisation.
- Oversee and develop the NFPO Data Reconciliation Team Manager, Fingerprint Services Manager and Business Assurance Manager, and support their teams (approximately 15 staff) to competently deliver FINDS NFPO Operational Services and Fingerprint Assurance Strategies.
- Support the Head of FINDS to manage the delegated budget for the Unit, ensuring service delivery is cost effective and costs / income estimates are accurate and timely.
- Lead the effective integration of a Strategic Facial Matching (SFM) service into FINDS, including any potential recruitment of new roles associated with this.
- Work closely with stakeholders and the FINDS Change Manager to ensure that FINDS can accommodate the outputs from new technologies to enhance services to policing and develop the FINDS-NFPO change pipeline, and Fingerprint and Face Roadmaps.
- With the Head of FINDS, act as focal point for the relationship between FINDS and key stakeholders / delivery partners including the NPCC Fingerprint and Footwear Strategy Board, IDENT1 Representatives, Force Fingerprint Bureaux, Forensic Science Regulator, UK Law Enforcement Agencies, National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, and DNA Police Liaison Group. Oversee reporting of NFPO performance monitoring, benefits, and change.
- Support the development of FINDS’ services, considering ethical, technical, and legal provisions of running large databases and business standards, including quality, information assurance and service delivery.
- Support the FINDS Quality Team in maintaining FINDS ISO 9001 and ISO 17043 through effective quality and risk management, and continual process improvement.
- Work with FINDS SLT colleagues to monitor changes in biometric legislation and policy within law enforcement and translate these into national policy and guidance, including the FIND Strategy Board ‘Access & Use’ Policy, and policies for international fingerprint data exchange activities.
- Support Home Office Biometrics IT delivery, ensuring new IDENT1 biometric capabilities meet policy and legislative requirements, and support the adoption of new functionality by providing operational guidance to law enforcement.
- Develop and maintain effective operational business continuity plans for the NFPO Services.
- As a FINDS Data Protection Practitioner drafting Data Protection Impact Assessments for NPCC Information Asset Owners to consider, including data processing for new biometric processing methods.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- A degree level education in a relevant subject or equivalent industry experience
- Experience of working to a regulated environment, possibly within forensic science or law enforcement agencies
- Significant experience of leading functionally diverse teams at a senior level, providing credible leadership
- Significant experience in leading staff through formal performance management systems, including coaching, mentoring and individual/team development
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to convey key issues, information, and solutions effectively to an audience from a wide range of backgrounds
- In depth knowledge and experience of overseeing data analytical teams, and providing data assurance strategies
- Ability to analyse and interpret large amounts of information effectively and present findings clearly and concisely
- Excellent judgement and decision-making skills with the ability to assess the impacts of releasing sensitive information and control that impact
- Experience working directly with customers and the ability to effectively influence stakeholders
- Knowledge and experience in risk and information management, horizon scanning and change management methodologies
You should currently hold or be willing to undertake Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV 3) (including financial checks). This is essential for this role.
Desirable criteria
- Extensive working knowledge of the role of fingerprints in criminal investigations.
- Experience in IDENT1 fingerprint processing, and fingerprint comparison at expert level.
- Good working knowledge of the interface between PNC and IDENT1.
- Demonstrable good knowledge of legislation, policies and procedures impacting on law enforcement, and the criminal justice system to ensure the efficacy of data within the forensic databases .
- Knowledge of the workings of central government departments and the drivers, targets, and measures of business performance in a public service environment.
- Experience in establishing and delivering to communication strategies and planning to ensure stakeholders are engaged with change.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Leadership
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
- A CV detailing job history /qualification/ skills
- A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 1000 words)
- Provide evidence of the behaviour Leadership (250 words maximum)
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The statement of suitability should be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description.
Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will not be scored, but instead will be used to provide further context on your personal statement, and support conversations at interview.
The sift will be held on the statement of suitability and behaviour.
In the event a high volume of applications are received, an initial sift may be carried out on the statement of suitability. Candidates who pass the initial sift will be progressed to a full sift when the lead behaviour Leadership will also be marked.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be a blended approach consisting of strength (no preparation necessary) and behaviour-based questions. You may also be required to prepare a short presentation (no slides or handouts required) to present at interview. Further details around what the presentation will entail will be provided before the interview.
Sift and Interview dates
Sift is expected to take place week commencing 15th April 2024.
Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 29th April 2024.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert, however on occasions these dates may change.
Interviews
Interviews may be face to face at 2 Marsham Street or carried out via video. Further details will be provided ahead of interview. Please note travel costs will not reimbursed if interviews are held face to face. If held via video, candidates will be required to have access to:
- A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
- Good internet connection
- Microsoft Teams
PLEASE NOTE: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.
Further information
For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
A reserve list may be held for a period up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made.
Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism and copying and generating of examples/answers from internet sources including Artificial Intelligence. If any is detected the application may be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving civil servants. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.
Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.
We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.
Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.
Transfer Terms: Voluntary.
If you are invited to an interview you will be required to bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.
Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.
Any move to the Home Office 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
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
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
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
