About the job

Job summary

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. It also aims to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on the Immigration Enforcement careers page.

Job description

The Operational Capabilities Command (OCC) is a directorate within Enforcement, Compliance & Crime (ECC). Our mission is to ensure that operational colleagues have the skills, capabilities, tools and infrastructure which are modern, environmentally sustainable, fit for purpose and allows staff to maximise their operational effectiveness.

Our aim is to work across people and strategic workforce planning, change, digital, performance, engagement, risk, law enforcement engagement and our vulnerability and fair treatment teams collaboratively as one team. We will act as agents of change, to provide the innovation, service and thought leadership that is needed so that Enforcement, Compliance & Crime (ECC) runs well as a command now and transforms further to meet the demands and opportunities of the future.

Main purpose of the role is to design, review and deliver training to officers enrolled onto the Immigration Pathway, Workplace Learning and Bespoke courses. 

The successful candidate will support the Her Majesty’s Inspector on delivering training on the Immigration Compliance & Enforcement (ICE) pathway foundation training course and other bespoke foundation training offerings. Training & Skills Unit (TASU) are a group of learning professionals who are vital to ensure best practice is consistent throughout the organisation. Delivery is through a mix of face to face and virtual training methods to predominately new but also existing staff and involves trainers keeping abreast of current and changes in legislation, policy and updating and creating training materials. Trainers should be comfortable in delivering materials in both in the classroom and virtually and provide one to one coaching and feedback sessions to provide delegates with support and honest feedback.

TASU is a national unit who holds training courses in different locations around the country and the post holder will be expected to travel on a weekly basis to any location to deliver training. Most of our foundation courses are currently held in Croydon and sometimes in Leeds. However, as a national unit, we hope to hold foundation courses in other locations across the country and are currently procuring a larger northern venue in Leeds. Please be aware that delivering on the foundation or other stand-alone courses will require trainers to be away from home for several weeks in one period and could be in any location.

Person specification

Responsibilities  

• Working flexibly as part of TASU Operational Trainers

• Taking responsibility for leading assured learning and development products whilst working to a His Majesty Inspector (HMI).

• Delivering learning interventions utilising blended methodology.

• Leading on the development of bespoke learning packages.

• Embracing partnership working by engaging closely and collaboratively with other colleagues across TASU, IE, operational assurance, policy, the wider HO learning community and other stakeholders to develop and improve our delivery, assessment and quality assure learning across IE.

• Leading on specific projects whilst keeping learning materials updated in line with current guidance and policy.

• Keeping other Operational Trainers updated on emerging changes around specific area of responsibilities which will impact on learning packages.

• Maintaining or building your operational skills and abilities through attending and participating in Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Teams/ Reporting and Offender Management activities on a regular basis and identify any learning need. For those who have not already been through the Immigration Pathway (for Operational Enforcement officers) – this will involve 8 weeks training plus a Portfolio to be completed within the front-line business.

• Working flexibly and supporting other areas within TASU. Responsibilities are liable to change within the learning profession umbrella subject to business need and transformation, so it’s important that you are adaptable.

• Undertaking all mandatory learning to maintain skill set and competence.

• Other projects and wider support across TASU as required according to business priorities.

Essential criteria

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Experience of delivering training to different size groups, using a variety of learning methods.

• A high standard of demonstrable verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrable competence in Microsoft suite (including One drive, Share Point, Teams and Excel).

• Excellent partner management and relationship-building skills.

• Flexibility and organisational skills, and able to deliver under pressure and at pace, particularly when unexpected changes to priorities and procedures occur.

Desirable criteria

• A strong knowledge of the processes, legislation and policy relating to the work of IE.

• Competent at using Atlas and Pronto. (IE IT platforms).

• Have experience in a Quality Assurance role.

• Line management experience

• Full UK valid Driving Licence (Manual or Automatic).

• Experience of working in an Operational environment such as BF, IE, Prison Service, Military, Police. 

• All our trainers either to hold or be willing to work towards a level 4 Learning and Development qualification within 12 months in post.

• To have completed the Operational Enforcement foundation training within IE or be willing to undertake this training as part of your development immediately after joining the training team.

• Personal Protection Safety Trained (PPST)/ arrest trained to Level 3 or willing to undergo this training and must maintain this accreditation whilst in post. Officers will be required to take part in enforcement activities within front line teams to keep their skills current and to complete Portfolio if not already done so.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV detailing job history and skills.
• Statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 750 words)
• Provide evidence of the lead behaviour - Communicating & Influencing (maximum 250 words)

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form

Please note your personal statement should be aligned to demonstrate your skills and experience for the role and how you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description.

For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links – Statement

For guidance on how to construct your behaviour examples, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links – Behaviours

The sift will be held on the lead behaviour - Communicating & Influencing and the statement of suitability (personal statement). CV will not be scored. 

The statement of suitability (personal statement) will be scored first for all candidates. Those who achieve the minimum pass score for the Statement of Suitability (personal statement), will progress to a full sift where their lead behaviour – Communicating & Influencing will be scored. These candidates will therefore receive a sift score for these elements.

Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the statement of suitability (personal statement) will not have their lead behaviour scored and will therefore only receive a sift score for the statement of suitability (personal statement).

However, if a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted on the statement of suitability (personal statement) only.

If you are successful at sift stage, candidates shortlisted will be invited to an interview which will be a blended approach of Behaviour based question and Strength-based questions. 

Strengths are the things that you do regularly, do well and that motivate you. To find out more about strength based questions click here

In addition, candidates will also undertake a 5 minute presentation linked to the Changing & Improving Behaviour. Question will be sent prior to interview.

Problems during the application process

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application (e.g. you have ticked the incorrect eligibility box), please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk at least two working days before the vacancy closes. After this, we may not be able to reopen your application.

Please note, we cannot make amendments to any part of the application.

Please use the following in the subject line in your email if you need to get in contact with us about your initial application “Please re-open my application – Vacancy Ref: 349452 CLOSING DATE: 30th April 2024.

For reasonable adjustments queries or requests, please see details with reasonable adjustments section.

Tie break decisions

The strengths and/or behaviours being assessed will be ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores. Please note that the order in which behaviours are listed in the advert does not necessarily reflect the order of importance.

Sift and Interview dates

Sift is expected to take place from 2nd May 2024 onwards. 

Interviews are expected to take place from 22nd May 2024 onwards.

Please note: Due to time constraints we may not be able to offer alternative interview date(s). It is therefore expected that candidates who are successful at sift stage will make themselves available during the above time frame given.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to:

• A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam
• Good internet connection
• Microsoft Teams

Further information 

For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years if the role requires CTC clearance, 5 years for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.  A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Selecting your locations

Please note only list locations where you are prepared to work and can travel to (as you could be offered any of your noted preferences).

When completing your application, you will have the opportunity to select your preferred location(s). Please ensure you select all locations you are interested in on the understanding that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only. If you are posted to a location that you have requested and you do not accept that location, you may not be offered another role. Please note, only advertised locations can be offered.

Reserve List

Where a campaign identifies more appointable candidates than there are available vacancies, a reserve list may be held for up to 12 months.

Reserve lists will be managed by locational merit lists, appointing in merit order per location. You may be offered a post at any of your preferred locations.

Whilst on a reserve list we may offer you an alternative similar role in the Home Office. Should you reject an alternative role, you will remain on the reserve list for the role you applied for. If you accept an alternative role, you will be withdrawn from the reserve list.

Please note there are no guarantees that further vacancies will arise in the locations you originally applied for before your time on the reserve list expires.

Candidates Please Note: Please ensure that all examples provided in your application are taken directly from your own experience and that you describe the examples in your own words. All applications are screened for plagiarism and copying of examples/answers from internet sources. If any is detected the application will be withdrawn from the process. Further action, including disciplinary action, may be considered in such cases involving internal candidates. Providing false or misleading information would be contrary to the core values of honesty and integrity expected of all Civil Servants.

If you are currently an agency member of staff working within the Home Office, a contractor or contingent worker you can only apply for roles that are advertised externally, i.e.: outside the civil service. If you are eligible to apply for a role, you are required to select yourself as an external applicant and not internal when submitting your application on Civil Service jobs. This will prevent any delays in pre-employment checks should you become successful in being made an offer of employment after the Interview stage.

Are these Reserved Posts for UK Nationals only?

UK nationals who hold dual nationality are able to apply for this reserved post. If a UK passport is not being presented, then candidates will need to provide alternative evidence of UK nationality in line with the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Annual Hours Working Allowance

We operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance of approx. 23.19%. This is to compensate for working shift patterns including night shifts, early morning starts, late night finishes, weekends, and public holidays.  Shifts can vary in length and can be up to 12 hours.

Shifts can be changed or extended according to business need. The rate payable is dependent on location and role and is indicative of the shift pattern you will be required to work.

The higher the AHA, the more flexible you will be required to be. Please note that the allowance is subject to regular review and can go down as well as up. 

Age: These are shift working roles and so you must be at least 18 years or over to apply for this role. You will be required to work between 22.00 and 06.00, so this is a legal requirement. For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/night-working-hours and Child employment: Restrictions on child employment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Appearance

As part of this role you will be required to wear a uniform (which will be provided). Staff must ensure that their uniform is worn correctly, in line with these uniform standards, is kept clean and is well presented. To support this requirement, adequate uniform supplies will be available and issued. Uniformed staff represent their organisation at all times and should ensure that their dress and personal appearance reflects this responsibility.

Public and Personal Safety Training [PPST] – Level 3

These roles can be physically demanding and if successful you will be required to complete and pass specialist training including Personal Safety Training [PPST] which develops skills in personal safety, arrest, and restraint techniques. This demands physical activity and physical contact with delegates on the course. You will be required to complete a PPST health declaration and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal offer will be conditional upon you being physically fit to undertake and pass the training.

You must be prepared to undertake regular refreshers of this.

Flexible Working Arrangement

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estates capacity, by Spring 2024.  Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details).

Part-time Working

The minimum requirement for this role would be 30 hours per week.

We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work part-time however, unless specified in the advert, part-time opportunities cannot be guaranteed in frontline roles due to the 24/7 operational nature of the business. Those wishing to work part-time should notify the vacancy holder as soon as a provisional offer of employment is made to explore whether this can be accommodated [at your selected location]. Please note that full shifts (of up to 12 hours) will be required even if a part time contract is sought.

Please note that not all work patterns can be supported within this role, successful candidates should discuss work patterns with the vacancy holder ahead of accepting any offer.

Travel Expectation

Undertaking frequent travel nationally to deliver training which will involve overnight stays. Willingness to travel with overnight stays up to 5 nights.

Contact Details

Please use the following in the subject line in your email if you need to get in contact with us: Vacancy Ref: 349452.

Every day, Home Office civil servants do brilliant work to develop and deliver policies and services that affect the lives of people across the country and beyond. To do this effectively and fairly, the Home Office is committed to representing modern Britain in all its diversity, and creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.

We are flexible, skilled, professional and diverse. We work to recruit and retain disabled staff and area Disability Confident Leader. We are proud to be one of the most ethnically diverse departments in the civil service. We are a Social Mobility Foundation top 75 employer.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, 

subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

For further information please see the attached notes for candidates which must be read before making an application.

Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details.

Transfer Terms: Voluntary.

If you are invited to an interview you will be required to  bring a range of documentation for the purposes of establishing identity and to aid any pre-employment checks.

Please see the attached list of Home Office acceptable ID documents.

Any move to the Home Office 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 

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

Feedback

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

Security

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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.