Senior Forensic Pathology Manager
Home Office
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 20th January 2025
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About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
The Science, Technology, Research and Analysis (STAR) Group sits at the heart of the Home Office. The group ensures the best evidence and analysis are used to address the strategic issues facing the department. We also provide the science, technology, data, and international insights and collaboration capabilities to drive delivery.
This role is for a Senior Forensic Pathology Manager who will be responsible for leading a small team in the Home Office Science Directorate who are tasked with ensuring the effective delivery of forensic pathology services to police and coroners in England and Wales; who are reliant on the service to assist in the investigation of suspicious death cases.
This position would suit somebody seeking a varied and challenging role in a niche area of work, where you will have the opportunity to work with multiple agencies across the criminal justice system with the aim of ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operational forensic pathology service delivery to police and coroners and to take an important role in driving forward initiatives to improve and shape the service of the future.
Job description
The Forensic Pathology Unit's remit is varied and interesting and ranges from providing advice to senior Home Office officials and Ministers on matters of national interest pertaining to forensic pathology to routinely advising and assisting police homicide investigators, coroners and other key stakeholders on policy and operational issues relating to the day-to-day delivery of the national forensic pathology service. They also work closely with organisations such as the College of Policing and the National Crime Agency to develop policy and practice advice relating to the medical investigation of death.
The team also provides Secretariat support to the Home Office Pathology Delivery Board (PDB), which is made up of key stakeholder representatives from policing, the Crown Prosecution Service, Coroners Society, Human Tissue Authority, as well as representatives from the pathology profession and the Ministry of Justice. As Senior Forensic Pathology Manager, you will also act as Secretary to the board, which meets twice a year to consider pathology matters of interest to the criminal justice system.
Key Responsibilities
• Ensure a 24/7 capability of forensic pathology services in England and Wales to assist police suspicious death and homicide investigations and response to mass fatality disaster incidents.
• Proactively work to ensure sufficient sub-speciality and paediatric pathologists are available to support forensic cases against the background of a shortage of practitioners available to undertake such case work.
• Advise the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), Homicide Working Group and the NPCC lead on forensic pathology on matters affecting forensic pathology.
• Oversee the system of annual appraisal and revalidation of forensic pathologists in conjunction with the PDB’s Responsible Officer.
• Work with the Human Tissue Authority and police forces in relation to issues of retained human tissue in police cases.
• Oversee the (often complex) investigation of complaints against members of the Home Office register of forensic pathologists and trainees supported by the Home Office in accordance with the Home Secretary's Suitability Rules.
• Line management of one staff member.
• Actively pursue initiatives for the advancement of the forensic pathology profession.
Working pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time home working basis.
Travel
The post holder must also be willing to travel to occasional business related meetings throughout the UK where overnight stays may be required from time-to-time (approximately monthly).
Person specification
Essential criteria
• In depth knowledge of police powers concerning the seizure of evidence and the practical application of such powers with regard to the seizure of human tissue samples at suspicious death post mortem examinations.
• In depth knowledge of the structure of forensic pathology services and how the service is delivered in England and Wales in support of suspicious death investigation.
• Seeing the bigger strategic picture relating to forensic pathology service delivery.
• Great interpersonal skills with an ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate complex information clearly to senior officials and stakeholders.
Desirable criteria
• An understanding of the issues pertaining to the seizure retention and use of human tissue in the Criminal Justice and coronial system.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
- Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
- See more of our benefits on our careers website.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
1. Application – by 20th January 2025
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV (job history / qualifications / skills)
- Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your personal statement and scored against the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV and Personal Statement), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
2. Sift – from 23rd January 2025
The sift will be held on the Personal Statement and CV.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of the CV.
3. Interview – week commencing 10th February 2024
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions.
In addition, candidates will be asked to prepare a presentation that will be delivered at interview. The presentation question/scenario will be disclosed closer to the interviews.
The presentation will be assessed against 'Experience' on the 'Success Profiles' and will be assessed against the 'Essential criteria' as listed in the job advertisement.
The interview will take place on Teams.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Reserve List
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. Further information can be found on our website.
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Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Additional Security Checks
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates.
Further information
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity.
You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up.
For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Visa sponsorship
We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas.
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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamCorporateEnablers@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
