23372 - HMP Chelmsford - Hub Manager - Intelligence

The Methodist Church in Britain; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and public holidays

Civil Service pension schemes

Hybrid working

Flexible working patterns

Season ticket loan

Training and development

Diversity training

Job summary

HMPPS is seeking a senior manager to lead the Prison Intelligence Unit at HMP Chelmsford. The role involves directing strategic and tactical intelligence analysis, line managing staff, and coordinating with other establishment functions to deliver timely intelligence products.

You will ensure compliance with HMPPS policies and national frameworks, manage sensitive databases and systems, and act as a key liaison for intelligence-related operations within the establishment.

Qualifications

• Practical knowledge of the intelligence cycle.
• Knowledge of intelligence practice.
• Experience working in or with prison environments is advantageous.
• Ability to collate and analyse information.
• Proficiency with MS Word and MS Excel.
• Able to engage with staff at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic and tactical intelligence analysis for the establishment and lead the local picture on threats.
• Line manage all Prison Intelligence Unit staff, covering performance, development, appraisal and sickness absence.
• Coordinate tasking of analysts and liaise between the unit and other establishment functions.
• Ensure intelligence products align with HMPPS Intelligence Policy and National Security Framework.
• Submit intelligence analyses for intelligence-led tasks (e.g., searches, non-random drug testing, detector deployment).
• Manage person-of-interest databases (E-List, PRAS, nominals) and ensure timely reviews.
• Act as Mercury system administrator, approving accounts and performing monthly quality checks.
• Control access to PIN phone system and monitor mail, calls, and CCTV per policy.
• Serve as ViSOR point of contact and update partnered prisoner intelligence within timescales.
• Advise on covert/overt collection tactics and respond to related complaints.
• Support the Counter Corruption Lead with corruption intelligence processes and QA.
• Represent intelligence at tasking, security, and Safer Custody meetings; manage devolved budgets and health & safety.

Skills

Intelligence cycle

Intelligence practice

Prison environment knowledge

Information analysis

MS Word

MS Excel

Staff management

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

This is a management post leading the Prison Intelligence Unit at HMP Chelmsford, a permanent full-time role within HMPPS. The post holder oversees strategic and tactical intelligence analysis and tasks the unit's analysts and collators. Alongside line management of the unit's staff, the post runs the local ViSOR, Mercury and person-of-interest processes. Prison knowledge is needed but no operational experience, and a practical grasp of the intelligence cycle decides fit.

What the job involves

• Oversee strategic and tactical intelligence analysis for the establishment and lead the local picture on threats
• Line manage all Prison Intelligence Unit staff, covering performance, development, appraisal and sickness absence
• Task analysts and act as conduit between the unit and other establishment functions, ensuring terms of reference are realistic
• Ensure intelligence products are prepared and delivered in line with HMPPS Intelligence Policy, the National Security Framework and the Local Security Strategy
• Submit intelligence analysis for intelligence-led tasks such as searching, non-random drug testing, mobile phone detector deployment and dog resourcing
• Manage person-of-interest databases including E-List, PRAS and organised crime nominals, keeping them updated and reviews on time
• Act as Mercury system administrator, approve accounts and complete monthly quality checks on reporting and analysis
• Manage access to the PIN phone system and ensure monitoring of mail, calls and CCTV follows HMPPS policy and legislation
• Act as the ViSOR point of contact and ensure intelligence on partnered prisoners is updated within agreed timescales
• Advise on overt and covert tactics for collecting intelligence on individual problem profiles, and respond to intelligence-related prisoner complaints
• Support the local Counter Corruption Lead, including corruption intelligence processes, quality assurance and the regional SOCT and CT links
• Represent intelligence at tasking, security, IDRM and Safer Custody meetings, manage devolved intelligence budgets and keep the team's health and safety compliant

What’s required

Skills & knowledge

• Practical working knowledge of the intelligence cycle
• Working knowledge of intelligence practice
• Knowledge of prison operating environments, without operational experience needed
• Information collation and analysis
• Able user of MS Word and MS Excel
• Able to deal effectively and assertively with staff at all levels

Checks & eligibility

• DBS standard check
• Security and identity checks before taking up post
• Eligible under Civil Service nationality rules

Other

• Complete role-specific training under the HMPPS Intelligence Policy
• Complete the first line manager qualification where available (Band 5 hub manager roles)

Nice to have

• Knowledge of local processes

What’s offered

• Annual leave, with the holiday year starting 1 March and pro-rata entitlement
• 9 days in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays, added to annual leave
• Choice of two Civil Service pension schemes
• Hybrid working where business need allows, UK only
• Part-time, flexible and job-share patterns considered under HMPPS Flexible Working policy
• Season ticket advance after two months' service
• Training and development, including promotion programmes and induction
• Security and diversity training on joining