About the job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity offered within the Service Police (SP). Although this role works routinely to the Disclosure and Barring Service(DBS), it is administered and managed by the Service Police Crime Bureau (SPCB), the Disclosure Unit Manager is technically a standalone role solely responsible for the meeting legislated obligations. The roles specific tasks are to: To be responsible for the disclosure function for the national DBS, Disclosure Scotland and Access Northern Ireland for the SP. Responsible for the SP DBS budget, management of staff and procedures, principal decision maker, liaison and advice on disclosure matters, training, management information, quality assurance Are you passionate about safeguarding vulnerable people and children in society, and ensuring compliance with regulations? Join our team as the Disclosure Unit Manager and play a pivotal role in being responsible for protecting vulnerable people in society! The role is both varied and gratifying. Responsible for the management and oversight of all applications made through the DBS regarding serving members of the Armed Forces, Regular and Reserves, as well as veterans and their spouses to ensure that they are adequately checked for roles that may require work with vulnerable groups. We look forward to welcoming you. SPCB provides specialist and technical support to the SP, particularly with regards to data and Police Information. SPDU has inter-dependencies across a number of other departments within SPCB who are responsible for ensuring that policing data and information concerning Royal Navy, Royal Marines, British Army and Royal Air Force personnel, Regular and Reserves as well as veterans is up to date.  SPCB has a legal obligation for analysing held data to ensure that the information passed to key stakeholders about personnel is accurate so as to inform individual’s suitability for employment with, or support to, vulnerable people. We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspace will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuing you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation.  However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week).

Job description

Whilst we have no preconceptions as to what sectors or industries you will have worked in; it is important that you provide detailed evidence and examples of proven relevant experience at the HEO level (see CS Behaviours) that demonstrate the essential criteria and where possible desirable criteria.

This post will suit a highly motivated individual who is keen to take the initiative, lead a team and ensure compliance with legislation. There will be mentoring and support from fellow Disclosure Unit Managers in other Forces, as well as the Disclosure & Barring Service Compliance Unit to guide you. 

We will encourage you to efficiently provide the day-to-day management of the Disclosure Unit Manager team; including access to a range of computer-based applications that you will need to search in order to do your job, ensuring that all processes and activity is aligned with relevant legislation.

To achieve this, you will need to be proficient in the use of IT and Microsoft Office; including both new platforms and some older platforms – you will need some patience. We need someone with validated administrative skills, knowledge and experience combined with strong verbal and written communication skills! These are key to success in this role.

Above all else, we need a manager who is able to lead a team, hold team members account for their performance, set and enforce high-standards, that has respect for all team members and colleagues regardless of any protected characteristic and that is keen to seek every opportunity to continuously improve the output and delivery of the team.  Working with others is a paramount to your success.

The nature of the job relies on judgement and a strong moral compass, the Service Police Crime Bureau is a Tri-Service establishment that requires Civil Service support to deliver key objectives in support of the Service Justice System, but in this role, safeguarding the vulnerable. You will be required to require Police Investigative summaries involving some of the most horrific offences imaginable; you will need to have a strong mental resilience.

Versatility will be required to work in a collaborative working environment, the ideal candidate will need to possess external liaison communication ability underpinned by a desire to deliver an effective and efficient level of compliance. The Disclosure Unit Manager is the interface between the Disclosure and Barring Service and the Service Police.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Person specification

Duties and responsibilities within the Service Police Disclosure Unit can be varied and this requires a positive approach! Flexibility and willingness to prioritise tasks in a methodical order.

The department promotes a positive, professional, and friendly image to key stakeholders and other departments within the Service Police Crime Bureau therefore candidates should maintain an appropriate and professional standard to reflect their position at all times.

Duties of the role include but are not limited to:

Financial – Direct

Responsibility for the Service Police DBS budget: 

• Complete the submitting the Monthly Budgetary Return (MBR) to relevant department requesting invoice be raised and submitted to DBS for payment.

• Complete Monthly Balance Score Card (BSC) for submission to DBS Police Performance Manager.

• Provision of financial statistics/data as required.

NPCC Service Level Agreement

• Ensure that work is completed to meet the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
• To organise and prepare information and statistics for Home Office, Disclosure and Barring Services and senior management.  To undertake quality assurance and audit trails.
• To acquire and maintain an extensive knowledge of policy and procedure in relation to Home Office guidance on the disclosure of information to various organisations e.g., Part V Police Act, 1997, The Children’s Act, Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, Safeguarding Vulnerable Act 2006, Data Protection Act 2018, Human Rights Act 1998 etc.
• To investigate, analyse and evaluate complex disclosure cases and interpret and apply legislation.
• Refer all proposed Disclosure cases to the Chief Officer Delegate (Army) or Chief Officer Delegate (RAF or RN)) for authorisation of release of sensitive information in exceptional cases. To ensure the Forces liabilities are clearly defined, scrutinised, and protected because of the decision.
• To deal with all DBS queries, disputes, requests for further information and disputes.  Ensure that critical service level agreements are achieved between the Force and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
• To advise staff, management, other forces, and external organisations as a corporate single point of contact on all issues of DBS disclosure matters.
• To attend meetings, seminars and conferences in relation to the unit as required.

Staff Responsibilities – Direct

• Service Police Disclosure Analysts Maintenance of staffing levels, recruiting, overtime, flexi, and annual leave records.

• To manage, motivate and develop performance of Team. Lead, motivate, develop, and assess a specialist team to achieve business objectives and compliance in DBS Disclosure.

• To ensure staff manage workloads; identify and resolve any problems.

Statistical Data

• Operational and budgetary performance of Service Police Disclosure Unit

• Responsibility for the effective management of the performance of the Service Police Disclosure Unit

• Keep Management Statistics as required by DBS

General

• To ensure adequate systems are in place to aid the efficiency of the unit to identify and problems or enhancements and implement changes. To initiate protocol with other departments

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Please note that it is essential that your personal statement is aligned to provide evidence that you have the knowledge and recent practical experience for each of the following selection criteria in your application:

Essential:

• In order to undertake this role you will need to pass NPPV Level 2 Clearance, Security Clearance and Disclosure and Barring Service clearance once selected for the post.
• The most suitable candidate will have an excellent sense of judgement and is one that can make effective decisions to ensure that vulnerable people are safeguarded.
• The ideal candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to positively influence and manage Disclosure reports in line with the Disclosure and Barring Service Compliance Unit standards.
• A self-starter who can develop better ways of working and improved data management of records.
• Exhibit personal qualities and behaviours which are a role model for others – being open to receive challenge and feedback; value diversity and difference; and to work as part of a team to get the job done.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and a good level of IT literacy embracing new and old applications.
• Be a standout colleague, ready to jump into the role and not be afraid to ask questions. We all work closely together, so collaboration is key.

Desirable:

• Previous knowledge of the Justice System, not necessarily Service Justice System.
• Knowledge of data protection and familiar with the safeguarding legislation.
• Proficiency in electronic record-keeping.
• Experience of working in policing environment.
• European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) level of Level 2 IT skills or equivalent.

Personal Statement:

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500)

At application, you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

At interview, you will be assessed against the above along with the following Behaviours:

• Changing and Improving
• Making effective decisions 
• Working Together

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

The sift will be completed within 5 working days of the vacancy closing date. Interviews will be held on a date to be confirmed.

There will be no reimbursement for any travel expenses for the interview.

The position offers 37 hours per week and requests to work flexibly will be considered, taking into account business needs.

This post does not offer any assistance with relocation allowances.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

This vacancy is part of the A Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative, Making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

See our vetting charter.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.