JOB DESCRIPTION
Unit Head – National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS)
POST TITLE: / Unit Head – National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS)DEPARTMENT/DIVISION/BRANCH: / Hosted in host force capacity by West Midlands Police.
SECTION/UNIT: / 1. National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS)
2. ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms Threat Group
RESPONSIBLE TO: / 1. ACPO Senior Responsible Officer for NABIS.
2. ACPO portfolio lead Criminal Use of Firearms (ACPO CUF matters)
RESPONSIBLE FOR: / 1. Strategic management and development of all matters relating to the National Ballistics Intelligence Service
2. Strategic Support to ACPO Criminal use of Firearms portfolio holder
AIM OF JOB: / Providing professional leadership and direction covering all aspects of NABIS service delivery.
To build strong working relationships across Law Enforcement and NABIS Stakeholders to enable firearms criminality to be tackled across the UK.
To work with forces for the submission of firearms and ballistic material in line with the NABIS MOU.
To provide strategic support and guidance to the ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio holder.
To chair the ACPO CUF Practitioner Group and ensure that the group fully contributes to the development of national joint working based on shared good practice.
To perform the role of Deputy Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Firearms Threat Reduction Group.
To provide operational decision making and leadership in relation to tactical and strategic operational activity carried out in partnership with police forces and other agencies to tackle gun crime at all levels.
To oversee and prioritise the preparation of intelligence products at both a tactical and strategic level and to ensure that NABIS products are given appropriate priority within national tasking and coordination processes.
To formulate and maintain a forward work plan to ensure that NABIS has clear objectives in line with the needs of its stakeholders, and that these needs are met.
To have oversight and accountability for the forensic capabilities delivered across the NABIS Forensic Hubs and for compliance to UKAS accreditation ISO 17025.
To personally lead in the development of partnership working with key stakeholders including the Military, Security Services and HM Government and to influence legislative change where necessary.
To operate with credibility and practical experience at a senior level with Detectives tasked with overseeing the investigation of the most serious of crimes involving the criminal use of firearms nationally and internationally, providing leadership where necessary.
To fully contribute to the development of risk assessments focusing on the threat posed by illegal firearms to the security of the UK and the safety of its citizens.
CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· To be accountable for the strategic management of all aspects of NABIS service delivery to ensure it meets the needs of all stakeholders.
· To provide operational decision making and leadership in relation to tactical and strategic operational activity carried out in partnership with police forces and other agencies to tackle gun crime at all levels.
· To provide day to day leadership, support and direction to all staff working for NABIS and to ensure there is an effective management structure in place.
· Ensure that adequate staffing levels are maintained to meet operational demands. Undertake appraisals in line with relevant force policy and that the development and welfare needs of staff are met.
· Ensure that a clear HR policy is in place and that all staff are treated with value and respect, and that diversity underpins all that NABIS does. To promote and comply with WMP policies on equal opportunities and health and safety both in the delivery of services and the treatment of others.
· To develop a clear work plan in line with key priorities identified by stakeholders, ACPO CUF and HM Government to ensure that NABIS provides the most effective and efficient service possible in order to help tackle gun crime.
· To maintain strategic oversight of the budget allocated to NABIS and to work with partners to ensure the future funding of NABIS is secure in the long term.
· To develop and maintain strong strategic relationships and partnership working with police forces, other law enforcement agencies, the Military, Security Services and HM Government.
· To ensure that NABIS services are adaptive to the changing operational needs and requirements of stakeholders.
· To perform the role of Deputy Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Firearms Threat Reduction Group.
· The post holder will be required to brief Ministers and other officials on operational matters and gun crime generally, this may include giving evidence to commons select committees.
· To ensure compliance with statutory requirements in relation to information including the Data Protection Act 1998, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Code of Practice on Management of Police Information 2005, as appropriate.
· To provide strategic support and guidance to the ACPO Criminal Use of Firearms portfolio holder in order to coordinate national activity aimed at tackling gun crime.
· To chair the ACPO CUF Practitioner Group and ensure that the group fully contributes to the development of national joint working based on shared good practice.
· To maintain an oversight of the development of all intelligence being developed by the NABIS Intelligence Cell and prioritising tasking of operational activity to counter the most significant threats.
· To ensure that the forensic capabilities delivered by the NABIS Hubs are of the highest standard, timely and reliable, and that the work of the hubs is carried out in accordance with UKAS accreditation.
· To operate with credibility, operational currency and practical experience at a senior level with Detectives tasked with overseeing the investigation of the most serious of crimes involving the criminal use of firearms nationally and internationally, providing leadership where necessary.
· To fully contribute to the development of risk assessments focusing on the threat posed by illegal firearms to the security of the UK and the safety of its citizens.
· To carry out such other duties which are consistent with the nature, responsibilities and grading of the post.
Person Profile
Applicants for this role should be in the rank of Chief Superintendent, or supported by their Chief Officer for Temporary Promotion to the rank. They should have considerable experience of investigating serious crime. Ideally they should be accredited at level 3 of the SIO Professionalising Investigations Programme (PIP3).
Exposure to the complexities involved in the investigation of gun crime and serious organised crime, with knowledge of firearms legislation and associated practical issues is essential. It will be necessary for the candidate to maintain a strong and consistent knowledge of the threat posed by the Criminal Use of Firearms within the UK, and to be able to demonstrate an understanding of intelligence gathering, dissemination and reporting techniques.
Candidates need to be a strong communicator and to be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and presentation skills. The post holder will be expected to liaise with the Home Office and other Government Departments as well as with senior officers and officials in other police forces and law enforcement agencies.
Part of the role will entail the chairing of operational and strategic meetings at a high level and the candidate should be able to evidence experience in similar situations.
The post holder will need to show the ability to influence and persuade other agencies to take operational activity based on information and intelligence prepared by NABIS. The ability to influence the tasking and co-ordination of operational activity is a vital part of this role and the candidate must have the credibility, experience, operational currency and knowledge to do so confidently.
The candidate should have experience of managing a diverse and committed team with a broad base of skills and experience in a very busy environment. They must be able to promote a service based ethos and be able to meet tight deadlines.
An understanding of programme / project management would be beneficial as would some knowledge of innovation and technology in areas of forensic science related to ballistics.