HMICFRS Associate Rejoiners
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 11th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire and rescue services in the public interest. We promote improvements in policing and fire and rescue services to make communities safer.
Working at HMICFRS gives you an opportunity to make a real difference to the quality of local police and fire and rescue services and the lives of the public. As short-term, contracted workers, our Associates work alongside HMICFRS staff and play an important part in contributing to the success of our inspection programme.
This advert is for former HMICFRS associates only, to re-join the Associate Scheme, carrying out similar duties as before. If you have not worked as an associate for HMICFRS previously, or if you have been an associate but left the register more than 12 months ago, you will need to apply as a new starter in the next generic associate recruitment campaign.
You must have left the register within the past 12 months to apply to this scheme. You will not be eligible to apply unless three months have passed since leaving the register.
If you had been an associate for 4 years when you left the register (i.e., you had completed your second term), you will not be eligible to apply for this campaign.
Job description
Associate inspectors
Associate inspectors work on short-term engagements across all parts of HMICFRS’ inspections. They bring specialist skills and provide extra resilience to help us achieve our busy policing, fire and rescue service, national and joint inspection programmes.
We are interested in applications from those with recent operational experience in the following areas:
- Crime Data Integrity
- Investigation
- Vulnerability
- Adult safeguarding
- Child Protection
- Counter corruption
- Custody
We are also interested in applications from those with an interest in or recent experience of working in Fire and Rescue Services with accounting, efficiency or financial planning or management skills.
As an associate inspector you will be required to help support with inspections across HMICFRS. The main responsibilities will be as follows:
- Act as an ambassador for HMICFRS, adhering to the organisation’s standards and values at all times.
- Provide advice and guidance to HMICFRS on the subject matter and based on your knowledge and experience within your specialist area of expertise.
- Work with colleagues across the organisation to promote HMICFRS’s objectives and purpose.
- Collaborate with inspection teams to prepare inspections.
- Be responsible for carrying out inspection fieldwork and evidence gathering (e.g. focus groups, interviews, reality testing) to a consistently high standard and recording the evidence gathered in line with organisational processes and standards and which provides a sound evidence base.
- Support inspection leads and ensuring that the right type of evidence is gathered; including briefing inspection teams prior to inspection, analysing data, drawing conclusions and drafting reports.
- Work with portfolio directors and deputy portfolio directors to make sure reports follow set processes for being factually accurate, as well as moderating reports and that agreed timescales are met.
- Effectively communicate with chief officers, HMIs and senior government officials and their staff in accordance with HMICFRS values, observing the Civil Service code and ensuring that an objective and productive relationship is maintained throughout the inspection.
Associate editors and proofreaders
Associate editors and associate proofreaders work on short-term engagements for all areas of our reports.
They use their editorial knowledge and work with our inspection teams to make sure our report findings are clear and concise and meet our house style.
Our associate register
Associates are classed as “workers”, not employees. If you are successful, you will be added to the register for a period of up 24 months.
While we endeavour to make sure associates are used while on the register, there is no guarantee of work. Work is allocated based on business need, skillset and/or level of role and leadership required.
Registration as an associate is not a guarantee of employment. Nor is it a route to becoming a permanent civil servant.
Person specification
Essential criteria
Associate inspector
All applicants for the associate inspector role will be expected to have the following skills and experience:
- Must have worked previously as an associate for HMICFRS within the last 12 months.
- Experience of conducting inspection related activities and the ability to provide a written record of evidence in line with organisational processes and standards.
- Experience of gathering a wide range of data, including that which may be incomplete and/or complex.
- Ability to draft well-considered and balanced reports, based on the evidence gathered.
- Effective oral and written communication skills, with experience of preparing formal structured papers or submissions of a high standard for presentation to senior managers and other stakeholders.
- Proven record in contributing to projects, inspections or reviews.
- Good understanding of office-based computer systems and the capability to use different computer applications such as Microsoft Outlook, MS Excel and MS Word.
Applicants must also have experience in at least one of the areas listed in the person specification details section below.
Associate editor or proofreader
All applicants for the editorial associate role will be expected to have the following skills and experience:
- must have worked previously as an associate editor or proofreader at HMICFRS within the past 12 months.
- experience editing our inspection reports; or
- experience proofreading our inspection reports.
Personal specification details for each area are as follows;
Candidates must have recent experience (within the last 5 years) in one or more of the following areas:
Crime Data integrity
- You are required to be an accredited force crime registrar (FCR) or deputy FCR.
Or,
- Have knowledge and application of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) and Home Office Counting Rules (HOCR) and to have knowledge of any changes to the NCRS or HOCR;
- Good knowledge of criminal law, police crime recording procedures and police command and control, and crime recording IT systems; and
- Have experience of auditing police incidents, reports and crime records.
Or,
- Have previously completed the HMICFRS CDI briefing or inspection work for Crime Data Integrity (CDI) audits.
Investigation
- You are required to have investigative experience as a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO);
- A good knowledge of criminal law, police crime recording procedures and police command and control, and crime recording IT systems; and
- Experience of auditing police and crime records.
Vulnerability
- You are required to have recent policing experience in protecting vulnerable people at an operational, or strategic level.
Or,
- Have successfully completed HMICFRS Inspection work as a specialist supporting the PEEL vulnerability question or NCPI inspections.
In addition to the above, you will have:
- A good understanding and knowledge of domestic abuse, RASSO and Missing, including recent legislative changes and approaches to VAWG;
- Held rank of Inspector or above and have good working knowledge of statutory safeguarding governance, processes, structures, and legislation;
- Knowledge of reviewing force/service strategies to include the voice and experience of victims and have good working knowledge of DHRs, victim surveys etc;
- Experience of reviewing how force/service recognise and manage risks to vulnerable victims, with good working knowledge of Protective Orders and Common Law Disclosure Schemes such as DVPOs; Stalking Protection Orders and schemes such as Clare’s Law, Sarah’s Law;
- Experience of reviewing how forces/services refer vulnerable people and victims to relevant partners and multi-agency forums, with an understanding of risk assessment tools, MARACs; and.
- Operational experience or management of MASH arrangements or similar partnership safeguarding structures.
Adult safeguarding
You must have been involved in an operational or strategic role with a focus on Adult Safeguarding and have an understanding of:
- Statutory safeguarding arrangements for adults at risk;
- Understanding of MASH processes involving adults or similar information sharing processes; and
- Knowledge of the multi-agency response to Missing, and Domestic Abuse.
Child protection
You must have been involved in an operational or strategic role with a focus on child protection OR successfully completed HMICFRS inspection work focusing on child protection. Including:
- Involvement in child abuse investigations;
- Understanding of MASH processes involving children or similar information sharing processes;
- Knowledge of requirements for children in custody; and
- Understanding of Intra and extra-familial child abuse and associated multi-agency safeguarding, including an in depth understanding of working together to safeguard children and the associated legislation.
Counter-corruption
You are required to have been an Appropriate Authority holding a delegated legislative authority from a Chief Constable to address complaints and allegations of Police misconduct;
OR successfully completed HMICFRS inspection work focussing on counter corruption.
If your role was intelligence based, please specify what your role entailed. For example managing corruption intelligence in line with the nationally agreed corruption categories, drafting the counter-corruption Strategic Threat Assessment, Control Strategy, and delivery plans.
We would expect you to have experience of at least some of the following:
- Covert tactics and the practical application of these in covert investigations;
- Investigation of police corruption and taking corruption cases through misconduct meetings/hearings;
- Knowledge of integrity polices including notifiable associations, business interests, gifts, and gratuities;
- People intelligence meetings; and/or
- Working with other interdependent departments such as the professional standards department and force vetting unit.
You are also required to have a good working knowledge of the Police Conduct Regulations 2020; Police Complaints and Misconduct Regulations 2020 and the APP for Counter-Corruption Intelligence and/or prevention.
Custody
You must have been Involved at an operational or tactical level in a custody suite or operational role that has provided you with a good working knowledge of the legal framework surrounding police custody;
OR successfully completed HMICFRS inspection work focussing specifically on custody.
You must have experience/understanding of:
- Custody suite governance;
- The manual of guidance on the use of force (APP and training guidance) from the College of Policing;
- Whether PACE and Code C of the codes of practice are being applied correctly and effectively;
- Officer powers under the Mental Health Act (1983) particularly s136 & s2;
- Support available with FCR e.g. Mental Health, Missing, IDVAs;
- Risk assessment tools e.g. THRIVE;
- Requirements for children in custody; and
- Be able to review CCTV to determine if restraint techniques are used effectively and safely.
FRS efficiency
You must have:
Held a managerial position with responsibility for financial accounting or as a practising chartered accountant within a large organisation;
OR successfully completed HMICFRS inspection work focussing on service efficiency or financial management.
Hold a relevant qualification such as ACCA or be CIPFA accredited and have knowledge/experience in financial planning and management; and FRS Value for Money (VFM).
Associate editor or proofreader
The main responsibilities will be as follows:
- Act as an ambassador for HMICFRS, making sure the highest standards of professional conduct are demonstrated at all times.
- Provide advice and guidance to HMICFRS on the subject matter and the knowledge experience within your specialist area of expertise.
- Work with colleagues across the organisation to promote HMICFRS’s objectives, purpose and to embed organisational change.
- Work with inspection teams to prepare their reports.
We are specifically looking for candidates that have experience in one or more of the listed skills area, individuals may be deployed in other skills areas in line with any additional skills they have, that meet organisational requirements.
Benefits
- Pension
The Associate HMICFRS role is eligible for Auto-Enrolment (AE) in the (NEST) pension scheme. For details, please refer to the attached document. Please note, should you be successfully appointed to this role, if for reasons of Lifetime Allowance (LTA) limits, or anything else, you do not wish to join an AE pension scheme, you must provide proof of this to the Home Office Reward Team rteam@homeoffice.gov.uk. Examples of reasonable evidence include a copy of the Individual Protection (IP) certificate or documentation from a pension provider which states the LTA percentage a member has reached.
- An environment with flexible working options
We promote flexible working that balances professional and personal commitments. We support virtual and smart working, making best use of our technology and building collaborative working models to help all at HMICFRS to work in a ‘hybrid’ way.
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
The diversity of our people is a real asset to HMICFRS. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented within this grade level.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit a CV and complete a personal statement (Max Word Limit 750). Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please note your CV will not be scored but will be used for background information. If there is no history of working for HMICFRS as an associate on the CV submitted to us, your application will be rejected.
The sift will be carried out on your personal statement which should evidence the criteria below:
- Must have worked previously as an associate within HMICFRS.
- Evidence of the essential criteria listed above.
- Experience in at least one of the areas listed in the person specification details section, including confirmation of how you meet the criteria for that specialism.
If you do not meet the criteria, your application will not progress further.
You will not be required to attend an interview as part of the application process.
During this time, you may be allocated short-term engagements for inspection or other project-based work. The work you’ll be offered depends on:
1. Business need
2. Level of role and leadership required.
HMICFRS reserve the right to withdraw you from the associate register at any point.
Sift - 13th November 2024
You will be appointed on non-fair and open, duration-based engagements at a pre-agreed rate. We may also be able to offer you a non-fair and open fixed term contract (as a temporary civil servant) if the piece of work is likely to be for more than 6 months but less than 1 year. When the period of the fixed term appointment comes to an end, you will return to the register providing the duration of your registration has not yet expired. These are not consecutive appointments. Where contracts are offered on a Fixed Term Appointment basis, this will be to help with a temporary increase in work.
A laptop will be provided as standard kit. Should you require additional IT equipment to support you in this role, due to a disability or health condition, it is your own responsibility acquire this or you may wish to submit a request for support through Access to Work. Further information can be found here.
Eligibility:
- Associates currently or previously on the HMICFRS associate register: you will not be eligible to apply unless 3 months has passed since leaving the register. If you are unsure on eligibility, please contact Recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk. Please note, we have the right to withdraw your application if we determine you to be ineligible based on the rules set out at any point in the recruitment process.
- HMICFRS reserves the right to remove an associate from the register at any point before the end of your 24-month registration period. The associate register is regularly reviewed in line with HMICFRS business need so that the available skills and experience it provides remain focused on our priorities.
- Due to business requirements this role is only available as home - based (although depending on the engagement or any fixed term appointment contract, you may be asked to travel to other locations).
Home Office employees:
Home Office policy does not allow an existing employee to hold more than one employment contract at any single point in time within the organisation. If you are offered a place on the associate register, therefore, you cannot remain in another role concurrently. You will need to choose whether to remain in your current post or accept a place on the associate register. Please note, as specified earlier in the advert, a place on the associate register is not a guarantee of work. You will be paid a daily rate on an ad hoc basis as and when your skills are required.
Please be aware that this role is only available to applicants living in the UK. Unless specified under the terms of any specific assignment, associates are not permitted to work and/or take Home Office equipment outside of the UK.
Allowances
For short term assignments of less than 6 months, the daily rate for these posts is between £180, £265 and £300 dependent on the requirements of the assignment offered. To note: those who join as an editorial associate will be paid £265 per day. Tax and national insurance will be deducted at source.
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
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer.
Reserve lists will be held for each skillset. Candidates will be appointed in merit order by skillset.
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.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Laura Gavin
- Email : Recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HMICFRSRecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk
Further information
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
