Job Introduction
Our Operations Directorate conducts robust and fair investigations into the policing system. Their varied investigative work is often high-profile and challenging, whilst ultimately rewarding.
This role will be responsible for forces within the London region, including the Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and British Transport Police. The post holder will be the public face of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) at regional level, working with police forces and diverse communities as well as dealing with media issues.
The purpose of this senior leadership role is to ensure that investigations of serious and sensitive police complaints and conduct matters are carried out in a timely and consistent way and that case decisions, made on behalf of the Director General, are evidence-based and transparent.
The post holder has an important role in building public confidence in policing by ensuring that our work is explained to complainants, police forces and the wider public and that learning from our findings is widely shared.
Although remote working is permitted for this role, the post holder should expect to work from Canary Wharf or attend external meetings in the area approximately 2 days per week. If you are not based in the region, we may be able to consider travel expenses for this interim role.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete sift questions based on the skills and essential experience required for the role. Additionally, once you have submitted your application, could you also please email your CV to campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk
If successfully shortlisted, you will be informed of which level 5 behaviours and other elements you will be assessed against at interview.
Main Responsibility
Operational Management
• Work with colleagues in the Operations Management Board to determine operational policies and practice and ensure consistent investigations and case management standards
• Contribute to the IOPC strategic plan and annual business plan and budget, ensuring that the plan and budget are delivered
• Determine and monitor KPIs and assess the overall performance of Investigations function, agreeing remedial actions if necessary
• Lead business transformation projects
National /Regional Management
• Provide effective local leadership, driving efficient and effective delivery of IOPC business in the region to quality standards that are able to withstand detailed scrutiny
• Work with colleagues across the organisation to ensure successful delivery of the IOPC corporate strategy
• Manage a budget and other resources to ensure value for money
• Ensure that regional investigations staff are regularly supervised, effectively managed and have suitable personal development plans in place
• Ensure that the safety and wellbeing of all colleagues is given highest priority
• Be accountable for proactive management of all cases which delivers high quality and timely outcomes and provides assurance to the Directors of Operations
• Undertake the role of IAO for the regional operations teams.
• Maintain an overview of Health and Safety Management in the Canary Wharf office liaising with the central facilities team and Health and Safety Manager as needed
Decision Making
• Accountable for and having oversight of routine decision making, providing advice and counsel to direct reports, and ensuring that senior colleagues and relevant teams are briefed about high profile or contentious cases
• Take decisions on complex and/or high-profile cases in accordance with the IOPC’s duties and legislative framework
• Contribute to critical case reviews and have oversight of critical cases within the region, including providing direct leadership when necessary
External
• Develop and maintain external relationships, actively engaging with local communities, partner bodies and police forces across the region
• Work with local and national communications teams to respond to media issues and proactively communicate our work
• Deal with the media and press at a national level
• Lead thematic work and act as subject matter expert/ principal spokesperson in relation to a theme
Other
• Actively promote the IOPC values
• The role will require participation in an “on call” rota to provide out-of-hours senior leadership for IOPC’s operational work and critical incident management.
Key Contacts
• Director General
• Deputy Director General S&I
• Directors of Operations
• Other Regional Directors and the Director of Major Investigations
• Other Directors and Heads (CSC)
• Stakeholders within the forces
• Members of parliament
• Families and complainant representatives
• Community stakeholders
• Press
The Ideal Candidate
Are you looking for your next role to:
- be both challenging and hugely rewarding?
- offer you the opportunity to lead a great team of dedicated investigators?
- enable you to contribute to development in policing practice?
We're looking for someone with excellent leadership and communication skills and a successful track record of developing and delivering strategic plans to join us in this key role.
Do you have:
- A track record of delivery through others, including the ability to engage and develop teams to perform at their best and meet stretching goals;
- Demonstrable personal resilience and experience working under pressure in order to undertake a role that is subject to significant external scrutiny and where decisions are often challenged;
- Experience of leading investigations and ability to analyse highly complex information, including of a legal nature, and exercise evidence-based decision making
- Evidence of strong personal credibility, which will enable you to promote and ensure the independence of the IOPC and its decisions;
- Demonstrably strong relationship development skills and significant experience of engaging with senior level stakeholders;
- Evidence of interacting effectively with diverse audiences and experience in a public facing role, including engaging with the media;
- Sound understanding of, and strong commitment to, public service values, to diversity and to the principles of public life.
*Due to the urgent nature of the role, we encourage applications from those who have a short notice period (ideally no more than 1 month). If you are interested in the role, but have a slightly longer notice period, please email us at campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk and we will be happy to have a conversation with you.
**Previous applicants for this role need not apply on this occasion
Reasonable Adjustments
The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. We are open to providing you with the tools you need to succeed, from extra time to formatting changes, to name a mere few. If you require any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, please email campaigns@policeconduct.gov.uk
Package Description
- 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
- Options to carry over, buy or sell annual leave
- Civil Service pension
- PAM employee assistance programme
- Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
- Staff networks focused on each of the protected characteristics – run for staff, by staff
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity behaviours
Additional Information:
The IOPC is not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process, therefore successful candidates will not be able to transfer to the IOPC on their existing terms and conditions.
The IOPC does not participate in the UK Visa Sponsorship Scheme therefore, candidates will have to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK if offered a role with us.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, therefore a standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out for the successful candidate during the pre-employment process.
Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct 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
Although we are currently unable to guarantee a longer or more permanent contract, if the role can be extended or made permanent, the successful post holder may be offered the role firstly without further interview.
About the Company
As a completely independent organisation, the IOPC seeks to uphold the rights of the public and investigate the most serious matters, including deaths following police contact, to promote learning and influence change in policing. The IOPC is an organisation steeped in history, influenced by significant figures such as Stephen Lawrence and Sir William Macpherson. We are looking for people to uphold our core values, and in return we will give you a supportive and inclusive work environment to flourish in.
Be yourself
The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.
- As a silver standard Stonewall employer, we continue to commit to being a LGBTQ+ employer through the work of our Pride LGBTQ+ Staff Network, creating welcoming environments for lesbian, gay, bi and queer people.
- We are pleased to share that we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. The Charter is composed of five calls to action for leaders and organisations across all sectors.
- Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicated to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace.
- Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Operation Hotton, to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.
