Contract Assurance Specialist

Ministry of Justice; Morpeth; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK seeks a Contract Assurance Specialist responsible for creating strategic reports, conducting in-depth research, and ensuring compliance. This role offers hybrid working arrangements, allowing flexibility. Ideal candidates will have strong analytical skills and experience in quality assurance. Join a team committed to operational excellence and improving justice services.

Benefits

Annual leave and pension options

Flexible working arrangements

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in producing complex strategic reports.
• Ability to provide in-depth research for high-level management.
• Familiarity with quality assurance and compliance processes.

Responsibilities

• Produce complex strategic reports for management.
• Ensure data accuracy and identify efficiency savings.
• Support decision-making through high-level analysis.

Skills

Research and statistical analysis

Quality assurance procedures

Data analysis

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Job Overview

The Contract Assurance Specialist (B5) is responsible for the production of complex strategic reports, including in-depth research and statistical analysis for high-level management information to support decision making. They develop and undertake quality assurance procedures to ensure data is captured correctly and efficiency savings are identified, therefore ensuring that contracts are compliant and work effectively.

Working Arrangements

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non‑contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Location

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre‑employment checks.

Contract Terms

Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Working Hours

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS' Flexible Working policy. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years.

Loan/Secondment

Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Selection Process

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Managing a Quality Service, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

• Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250: Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together.
• Interview stage assessments.
• Interview Dates: In person interviews to take place in the Learning Centre, HMP Northumberland. Dates TBC.
• Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.

Level of security checks required: DBS Standard.

Prison Contracts Group (PCG)

The Prison Contracts Group (PCG) group sits within the Directorate of Contracted Operational Delivery (DoCOD) which is responsible for the operational contract management of a large portfolio of contracts, including Prisoner Escort Custody Service, Electronic Monitoring, Community Rehabilitation Services, Prisoner Education and Operational Contracts for a variety of goods and services. PMP contracts alone have an annual value of £564m. PMPs were first introduced to the UK in 1992 when the Conservative Government issued short-term contracts to security companies to operate a limited number of publicly owned prisons, the first being HMP Wolds in Yorkshire which was operated by G4S. The first wholly private prisons were often financed through the use of a Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) under private finance initiatives (PFI). These were often known as DCMF prisons as they were designed, constructed, managed and financed by the private sector, the first being HMP Altcourse which opened in December 1997 and was operated by G4S. There are currently 15 privately operated prisons in England and Wales.

• Operated by G4S Justice Services, Serco Custodial Services and Sodexo Custodial Services. In total they currently accommodate approximately 20% of the closed prison population across England and Wales. (HMP Parc is managed under the Area Executive Director (AED) for Wales and not the PCG).
• PMPs are subject to the same scrutiny from official bodies as those in the Public Sector, including HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP), Ofsted, and Operational and System Assurance Group (OSAG).
• Governors of private prisons are referred to as 'Directors'. They each have their own staffing structure and they work to their respective Chief Operating Officer (COO).
• Prison Custody Officers (PCOs) are trained to the same level as Prison Officers and are licensed by Controllers to operate as a PCO once they are fully qualified. All privately managed prisons have a named Controller who, with their team, ensures the prison is operated in line with the agreed contract.

Benefits and Entitlements

Annual Leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non‑standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro‑rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, public, and privilege holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays.

Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work‑life balance: HMPPS is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements, providing greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so.

Season Ticket Advance: After two months' service, you'll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer‑period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.

Childcare vouchers: For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti‑Bullying Programmes. There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts – All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles.

Eligibility: All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS. All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist.

Recruitment and Equality

Working for the Civil Service: The Civil Service Code 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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order: To Transformative Business Services; To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team; To the Civil Service Commission (details available here).

Disability Confident: As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ is committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long‑term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Veterans: The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans.

Redeployment Interview Scheme: Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.