Publications Lead (Job share)

Job Title

Publications Lead (Job share), Independent Monitoring Boards and Lay Observers.

Grade

HEO

Location

Canary Wharf, London

Salary

The salary for this role is set within the MoJ HEO pay range.

Full/Part Time

This role is being offered on a part-time basis of 15 hours a week (given this is a job share, flexibility on days is requested).

Contract Type

This role is being offered on a permanent basis.

About Independent Monitoring Boards

Members of Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) are unpaid public appointees (volunteers) who provide statutory, independent scrutiny of the treatment and care of people in prisons and immigration detention. There are approximately 1100 IMB members, organised into around 130 Boards, each with its own Chair. They are appointed by ministers and operate in prisons and young offender institutions (run by HM Prisons and Probation Service - MOJ), in immigration removal centres, various short-term holding facilities and on repatriation flights for those being removed from the UK (run by the Home Office).

Lay Observers (LOs) are also unpaid volunteers appointed by ministers, whose responsibility it is to check on the welfare of individuals in court custody suites and while they are traveling in the care and custody of escort contractors.

As independent scrutiny bodies, IMBs and LOs have a growing public profile and play an increasingly crucial role in providing assurance to ministers and the public on the conditions and treatment of those held in detention. They are members of the UK’s National Preventive Mechanism, under the UK’s international human rights obligations to prevent torture and other ill-treatment of people in detention. They work closely with HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, who also play a key part in the oversight and assurance of places of detention. The findings of IMBs and LOs are fed into the performance and scrutiny information used by government to contribute to prisons and immigration detention policy and process changes, in line with the government’s commitment to ensuring safe, humane and effective places of detention.

About the role

IMBs have a statutory duty to produce an annual report covering the monitoring in their prison or immigration detention facility every year. This role is responsible for supporting Boards to publish these reports and ensuring the evidence provided supports what is being said. Day to day, you will also provide excellent customer service and expert advice to Boards/members to ensure that reports are factchecked, formatted, branded and published in line with national standards and expectations.

You will be a motivated, enthusiastic individual with experience of working in a fast-paced environment.

The increasing profile of the IMBs make this an exciting time to join the organisation.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our teams and welcome applications from less represented groups.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:

Running a professional and timely production, tracking, scheduling and publication process for all Board annual reports. 

Proofreading and formatting all reports in line with annual report templates and guidance, ensuring all reports are as clear and accessible as possible and recommending changes to Boards as needed.

Identifying any potential breaches of GDPR, contradictory statements, or content that could attract unwarranted media attention or be considered defamatory.

Being the point of contact for Board Chairs and members on Board annual reports. Liaising with members on the production of individual reports, taking into account Board needs but ensuring national standards are met.

Carrying out all national pre-publication factchecking and internal circulation procedures in line with national MoUs/SLAs with monitored services (MoJ, His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the Home Office).

On occasion supporting struggling Boards with the drafting of their annual report, either directly or through the regional support.

Ensuring guidance for writing of annual reports, including the IMB style guide and annual report templates/guidance, is regularly reviewed and refreshed. 

Liaising with the communications team to ensure that press releases are prepared for publication.

Liaising with the communications team regarding key messages Boards are reporting that might warrant press interest.

Liaising with the policy team regarding key concerns Boards are reporting that might warrant further policy exploration.

Coordinating and advising on copyright issues and permissions.

Managing the IMB report inbox.

Delivering training to members on the annual report process when necessary.

Ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion is considered during the application of all tasks and championed during interaction with the membership.

Working collaboratively with the staff team. Performing other job-related duties as required. 

Skills

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the following skills.

Essential criteria

Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills

Excellent liaising and influencing skills to deal effectively with a diverse team of volunteers and staff – both in spoken and written format

Ability to make evidence-based decisions and provide senior leaders with timely, accurate advice

Experience of working within the criminal justice system and/or immigration detention

Ability to work independently in a working environment with multiple and conflicting priorities

Ability to work as part of a team

Some understanding of how to present evidence most effectively or for best impact.

 Desirable criteria

Experience of working with volunteers, or a genuine interest in being involved in such work

Knowledge and understanding of the IMB.

Civil Service Behaviours

You will be required to provide evidence of the following behaviours:

Managing a Quality Service

Communicating and influencing

Working Together

Delivery at Pace

If a high number of applications are received, candidates will be sifted on the ‘Managing a Quality Service’ behaviour.

Further information about the Civil Service Competency Framework can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Written test