(HM Inspectorate of Prisons)

at  Ministry of Justice

Salary
The national salary range is £27,223 - £28,613, London salary range is £31,169 - £32,760. Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Number of jobs available
1
Detail of reserve list
12 Months
Region
London, National
City/Town
London, National
Building/Site

10 SOUTH COLONNADE LONDON, E14 4PU, NATIONAL

Please note: Some of our MoJ Office locations, such as our Liverpool Justice Collaboration Centre, require higher levels of National Security Vetting. The MoJ is working to open more Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices over time. Click here to learn more about where our currently open Justice Collaboration Centres and Justice Satellite Offices are, to identify where you may be based and understand National Security Vetting requirements of each location.
Grade
EO
Organisation Grade for MoJ
EO
Post Type
Fixed Term
Duration of appointment
Up to 2 Years Fixed Term with a possibility of an extension
Working Pattern
Full Time, Flexible Working
Role Type
Administration / Corporate Support, Business Management & Improvement, Governance, Other, Project Delivery
Will the successful applicant have line manager responsibilities?
No
Job description
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 UK government designated HM Inspectorate of Prisons (England and Wales) to host the NPM. For further information on the role and work of the NPM, please visit https://nationalpreventivemechanism.org.uk/
This role is hosted within HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMI Prisons) for England and Wales which is an independent inspectorate which reports on the treatment of, and conditions for, those in prison, young offender institutions and court custody suites in England and Wales, and immigration detention facilities in the United Kingdom. HMI Prisons also inspects Border Force customs custody (jointly with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) and secure training centres (jointly with Ofsted). By invitation, HMI Prisons inspects some military detention facilities, as well as prisons in Northern Ireland and in other jurisdictions with links to the UK, such as the Isle of Man.
The role of HM Inspectorate of Prisons is to provide independent scrutiny of the conditions for and treatment of prisoners and other detainees, promoting the concept of ‘healthy establishments’ in which staff work effectively to achieve positive outcomes for those detained and for the public.
The Inspectorate’s work constitutes an important part of the United Kingdom’s obligations under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment. This Protocol requires signatory states to have in place regular independent inspection of places of detention. HMI Prisons is one of 21 NPM members in the UK.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience of managing expectations of high-profile organisations in an often fast moving environment;
• An ability to work collaboratively and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Excellent oral and written communication;
• Excellent organisational skills, including experience of organisation of events or multi stakeholder meetings;
• Attention to detail and ability to prioritise, work under pressure, problem solve, and meet deadlines;

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a unique post within a small and friendly team, which principally involves providing support to a national team. The National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), is seeking a Support Officer to start in Winter 2024.
The UK NPM was set up to ensure regular visits to places of detention in order to prevent torture and other ill-treatment, as required by the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT). The NPM is comprised of 21 bodies who monitor places of detention across the four nations of the UK. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to work on detention issues and the implementation of the international human rights framework in domestic policy and practice. The NPM has a small staff and therefore the Support Officer will play a crucial role in the day-to- day running of the NPM, working with a large number of stakeholders at various levels, and contributing to joint projects. The role involves dealing with sensitive material on a regular basis, so a high level of discretion and judgement is required.

Responsibilities and duties will include:

• Supporting the drafting, fact checking and publication of the NPM’s annual report, submissions to policy consultations and responses to correspondence.
• Liaising with NPM members and supporting work on advice regarding the international human rights framework and NPM member responsibilities.
• Supporting thematic work including research projects as required.
• Take a lead role in the compilation of the NPM Recommendations Database
• Supporting the development of training and information packages.
• Supporting the NPM Comms Strategy
• Provide administrative support to the Head of UK NPM including confirming meeting dates, organising papers, liaising with attendees, and taking and distributing minutes of meetings.
• Work with colleagues to arrange travel for including car hire, hotels, flights.
• Manage the NPM public inbox and respond to or pass on correspondence as appropriate, working in collaboration with colleagues. This involves responding to enquiries, raising safeguarding issues with places of detention, and resolving queries from members of the public