Immigration Policy Lead

About Independent Monitoring Boards

Members of Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) are unpaid public appointees (volunteers) who provide statutory, independent scrutiny of the treatment and care of people in prisons and immigration detention. T are approximately 1100 IMB members, organised into around 130 Boards, each with its own Chair. They are appointed by ministers and operate in prisons and young offender institutions (run by HM Prisons and Probation Service - MOJ), in immigration removal centres, various short-term holding facilities and on repatriation flights for those being removed from the UK (run by the Home Office).

Lay Observers (LOs) are also unpaid volunteers appointed by ministers, whose responsibility it is to check on the welfare of individuals in court custody suites and while they are traveling in the care and custody of escort contractors.

As independent scrutiny bodies, IMBs and LOs have a growing public profile and play an increasingly crucial role in providing assurance to ministers and the public on the conditions and treatment of those held in detention. They are members of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism, under the UK’s international human rights obligations to prevent torture and other ill-treatment of people in detention. They work ly with HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who also play a key part in the oversight and assurance of places of detention. The findings of IMBs and LOs are fed into the performance and scrutiny information used by government to contribute to prisons and immigration detention policy and process changes, in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, humane and effective places of detention.

About the role

The post holder will lead on and be responsible for the development and provision of immigration detention policy and research advice, although will also be required to work across the team when necessary on prison and court custody and escort policy and research advice. They will provide support to the IMB National Chair and to individual IMBs to maximise the reach and impact of the work of IMBs. They will be line managed by the Policy Manager and work ly alongside the Prison Policy Lead and the Lay Observer Policy Lead.

The post holder will also be key to identifying avenues w the IMB can influence immigration detention policy development. They will ensure that the IMB is up to date with immigration detention policy changes so that we can inform the membership and ensure that monitoring is in line with latest guidance.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to (note hyperlinks are embedded within the text to point to published examples of key responsibilities):

• Drafting presentations, policy positions, briefing papers and national / thematic reports
• Collating and analysing various internal and external sources to identify themes/trends and inform policy development, including IMB annual reports and quarterly feedback, associated surveys/information and numerical data sets
• Supporting research as required for policy and impact work, including proposing an appropriate methodology, collecting and analysing data and drafting national/thematic reports
• Supporting the IMB National Chair to develop and manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Identifying, coordinating, managing and drafting IMB responses to external consultations in liaison with individual Boards/members and the National Chair
• Drafting and producing written submissions to relevant parliamentary committee inquiries, collating information from Boards and recent annual reports
• Providing briefings, Q&A and support for parliamentary committee hearings etc, including attending, advising and taking notes
• Delivering presentations and providing presentations, briefings, Q&A and supporting information for internal and external stakeholder meetings, including the immigration detention forum, identifying agenda items and following up actions as necessary
• Considering, trialling and embedding better IDE reporting methods for easier policy analysis
• Reviewing Board quarterly feedback to provide top-level analysis of themes prior to the quarterly immigration detention forum
• Being the first point of contact for IMB members on immigration detention policy queries
• Providing policy updates to members via the members’ website or equivalent
• Summarising new policy frameworks and updating the members’ website
• Providing immigration detention policy input to the monitoring advice and guidance team when required
• Briefing the National Chair/CEO for visits to Boards/establishments/external events
• In conjunction with the Policy Manager, horizon scanning for developments in policy, research or practice affecting the work of immigration detention IMBs including identifying opportunities to influence these
• Alongside the Communications Lead, organising internal engagement sessions for IMB members on a range of immigration detention policy topics, including liaising with speakers, and producing summaries
Working
• ly alongside the Prison and Lay Observer Policy Leads, covering prison and court custody and escort policy work whenever necessary
• Ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is considered during the application of all tasks and championed during interaction with the membership
• Working collaboratively with the IMB/LO staff team.
• Performing other job-related duties as required.

Skills

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills

Essential criteria

• An excellent understanding of the immigration detention system
• An understanding of working with volunteers
• Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to work as part of a team
• Strong organisational skills
• Understanding of the UK National Preventive Mechanisms (Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture – OPCAT) or general human rights related issues
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with proficiency in use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Proven ability to work with a range of internal and external stakeholders on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to make evidence-based decisions and provide senior leaders with timely, accurate advice.

Desirable criteria

• An understanding of prisons and/or court custody and transport services
• Social research skills
• Understanding of new technology such as AI and its potential for the policy profession
• Knowledge and understanding of the IMB and LOs
• An understanding of the parliamentary and legislative process

Important information

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the vacancy manager for an informal conversation prior to applying. Please contact [email protected].

This role is being offered as a fixed term contract of 12 months for external candidates. This role has the strong possibility of being extended and/or made permanent.

Existing civil servants (see eligibility below) will be transferred in on a loan of 12 months, (again the role has the strong possibility of being extended and/or made permanent). Tfore, for the loan you will need agreement from your current line manager prior to applying that they are content with releasing you quickly if successful. Not gaining agreement, may result in being subject to redeployment processes at the end of the relevant period, if the role is not extended or made permanent, subject to MoJ resourcing policies.

Loan opportunities are open to employees who:

• Have been recruited in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles (appointment on merit through fair and open competition).
• Have successfully completed their probationary period.
• Have demonstrated acceptable performance and attendance levels.
• Do not have any immigration visa restriction which specifies a particular place of work.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, w they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

T is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available
• )

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wver it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
• 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference - 8758

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]

Please quote the job reference

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