Assistant Controller

at  Ministry of Justice

Salary
£31,995
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town
Doncaster
Building/Site

HMP/YOI DONCASTER, DN5 8UX

Grade
EO
Organisation Grade for HMPPS
Band 4
Post Type
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full Time
Role Type
Procurement and Contracts Management
Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?
No
Job description
The Prison Contracts Group (PCG) group sits within the Directorate of Contracted Operational Delivery (DoCOD) which is responsible for the operational contract management of a large portfolio of contracts, including Prisoner Escort Custody Service, Electronic Monitoring, Community Rehabilitation Services, Prisoner Education and Operational Contracts for a variety of goods and services. PMP contracts alone have an annual value of £564m.
PMPs were first introduced to the UK in 1992 when the Conservative Government issued short-term contracts to security companies to operate a limited number of publicly owned prisons, the first being HMP Wolds in Yorkshire which was operated by G4S. The first wholly private prisons were often financed through the use of a Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) under private finance initiatives (PFI). These were often known as DCMF prisons as they were designed, constructed, managed and financed by the private sector, the first being HMP Altcourse which opened in December 1997 and was operated by G4S.
There are currently 15 privately operated prisons in England and Wales* operated by G4S Justice Services, Serco Custodial Services and Sodexo Custodial Services. In total they currently accommodate approximately 20% of the closed prison population across England and Wales. (*HMP Parc is managed under the Area Executive Director (AED) for Wales and not the PCG).
PMPs are subject to the same scrutiny from official bodies as those in the Public Sector, including HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), Ofsted, and Operational and System Assurance Group (OSAG).
Governors of private prisons are referred to as ‘Directors’. They each have their own staffing structure and they work to their respective Chief Operating Officer (COO). Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are trained to the same level as Prison Officers and are licenced by Controllers to operate as a PCO once they are fully qualified.
All privately managed prisons have a named Controller who, with their team, ensures the prison is operated in line with the agreed contract.
The Controller (B9) is the most senior representative of the Secretary of State. As such, he/she is accountable for ensuring delivery, negotiating change, encouraging innovation and the highest levels of performance. The Controller must ensure any contractual failings are remedied and/or the application of contractual levers when necessary, escalating unsatisfactory performance to the Head of Group and PCG Senior Leadership Team.
The Deputy Controller (B7) is the senior on-site representative of the Prison Contracts Group, their role is to oversee and report the activities, outputs and deliverables as stated in statute, contract, and law within a prison setting. They have responsibility for monitoring the contract, act as the authority in a number of contexts and oversee the contract and operations delivered inside the establishment. They are accountable to the Controller and Head of Group on areas of delegated authority.
The Contract Assurance Specialist (B5) is responsible for the production of complex strategic reports, including in-depth research and statistical analysis for high-level management information to support decision making. They develop and undertake quality assurance procedures to ensure data is captured correctly and efficiency savings are identified, therefore ensuring that contracts are compliant and work effectively.
The Assistant Controller (B4) is a specialist role that supports assurance in contract and delivers support to the Controller/Deputy Controller in the formal monitoring arrangements. The Assistant Controller will also carry out assurance and compliance work, co-ordinate Notice of Change (NOC) reviews, analyse and present performance progress at monthly and quarterly meeting (highlighting successes and failings), maintain accurate collation of penalty points, and other core contract management tasks.

SUMMARY

To work as a member of the Controller’s Team, helping to ensure that it operates effectively and efficiently; to maintain correct and appropriate relationships with both team colleagues and other stakeholders. As and when required conduct duties on behalf of the team at other establishments.

EXPERIENCE

• Sound analytical skills and experience of designing and using spreadsheets

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• I-Proc trained (or willing to undertake training)
• Quantum Point of Contact trained (or willing to undertake training)

RESPONSIBILITIES, ACTIVITIES AND DUTIES

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

SECRETARY OF STATE DUTIES

• Sign licences for the release of prisoners, which would include end of sentence licence.

REPRESENTATIONAL AND OTHER DUTIES

• To represent the Controller’s Team at relevant meetings or other events, briefing the rest of the team appropriately and ensuring that all action points are either delegated or acted upon.
• To liaise with the Contract and Commissioning group, internal and external stakeholders and to build and maintain collaborative partnerships in support of effective management.
• To complete any other duties or tasks as requested by the Controller or Deputy Controller.
  The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job 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 job holder.
  An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.