OFFICE OF POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER

Job Description

Post Title: SW Regional Policy Officer / Department: OPCC, Fixed term until March 2020
Post Number: NEW / Work Location: TBC – Devizes, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Portishead – The post will be an essential car user with regular traveling required across the south west and flexible working opportunities.
Grade: W11 (£37,839-£39,990) / Security Vetting Level: MV/SC
Line management: Deputy Chief Executive (on behalf of SW PCCs) / Date:01 January 2018

Reporting Structure:

The post will be hosted by Wiltshire OPCC but will report to the South West Police Collaboration Strategic Board

Job Purpose

The role of the Regional Policy Officeris to supportand provide advice to the five PCCs in the South West to assist with the alignment of policing services. The Regional Policy Officer will identify opportunities to increase alignment of policy, strategy, governance and performance and work to embedcollaboration across the South West.

The role will support the development and delivery of the objectives set by the South West PCCs through the regional vision. This will include conducting research to identify areas for collaboration, reviewing and recommending regional policy positions, identifying and sharing best practice and developing and delivering plans to bring policing and crime services closer together.

The post holder will be in a politically restricted post as set out inthe Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Main Responsibilities

  1. As the PCCs' regional lead on policy, responsible for supporting the PCCs / OPCCs in developing a strategic approach to policy that brings about change and increases alignment across the region.
  2. Develop an in depth understanding of current and emerging policy across policing, community safety and criminal justice, providing policy advice and support to the South West.
  3. Build and maintain strong relationships with decision makers and key stakeholders to identify with partners where change is needed and to effectively influence policy making.
  4. Support the PCCs to engage with and develop improved working relationships with key decision makers, ensuring the PCCs have a strong policy profile nationally and a positive reputation locally.
  5. Advise and support the PCCs on all aspects of policy, alignment and divergence across the region, advocating opportunities for alignment and identifying risks of divergence.
  6. Provide reports, briefings and options papers on areas identified by the PCCs in the South West. Identify and promote collaborative work between OPCCs and forces and identify opportunities for collaboration and alignment of the direction of policing.
  7. Develop a work programme to deliver the objectives and priorities set by the PCCs collectively.
  8. Identify best practice nationally and across the region supporting reviews, developing action plans and implementing their delivery across the region.
  9. With a flexible approach to working within a dynamic and changing environment, provide any other support necessary to deliver the regional alignment.
Attributes / On Appointment / Criteria
Qualifications: / Educated to degree level or equivalent experience
MBA / Programme management qualification / Essential
Desirable
Experience: / Experience of programmemanagement and/ or commissioning of services
Proven experience in developing and delivering a strategic approach to policy that realises benefits for communities
Proven experience in influencing decision makersat a senior level including across government and wider political engagement
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate complex information concisely and clearly
Politically astute
An understanding of public affairs and how national and local government operates / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Desirable
Skills: / Computer literate with good keyboard skills.
Ability to use your initiative and demonstrate excellent problem solving skills
Ability to apply research / environmental scanning approach and make appropriate recommendations
Ability to bring together stakeholders, gain support for mutually agreeable solutions
Ability to present reports and recommendations and be able to influence decision making
Able to plan workload, balance tight deadlines, deliver to priorities
Effective networking and negotiationskills
Ability to represent the organisation in a professional manner to external stakeholders
Ability to work with minimum supervision and as part of a team
Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion / Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Knowledge: / Understanding ofpolicy, policing,and governance
Knowledge of local and national legislation, policy and guidance relevant to criminal justice and / or policing
Understanding of effective change across a complex environment
General awareness of equality and diversity issues in the working environment
Awareness of workplace health & safety issues / Desirable
Desirable
Essential
Essential
Essential
Attributes / After Training
Experience: / Extensive experience of PCCs, policing policy and governance
Experience of influencing and driving change at an organisational or departmental level
Experience of the policing policy, governance and performance regimes
Experience of working with stakeholders at a strategic level influencing change
Skills: / Ability to develop and adapt to changing working practices in order to meet the demands of PCCs, legislation and policy
Ability to apply high quality analytical and research skills.
Ability to maintain compliance in relation to internal and external audit, review and report requirements
Knowledge: / Comprehensive understanding of the national, regional and local policng landscape and how this impacts on the regional vision and alignment
Awareness of legislative and governmental issues affecting PCCs
A comprehensive understanding of the organisation structures and functions
Understanding of your responsibility under Equal Opportunities and the way in which your role and the organisation may impact on minority and more vulnerable communities within the South West
Greater understanding of relevant health & safety issues within your working environment
Understanding of the impact of the Human Rights Act on the organisations and the role that you undertake
Greater understanding of Data Protection and Freedom of Information issues within your working environment

The post holder will be required to travel regularly to other OPCCs across the South West region.

The post holder should have access to a vehicle or be able to make alternative arrangements to meet the requirements of the post that operates across the South West

You will be required to attend all necessary and relevant training courses in respect of your employment to ensure compliance with the policies of the OPCC.

Wiltshire and Swindon OPCC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

It is likely that this post will attract periods of lone workingand you will be required to work flexibly and attend meetings outside of normal working hours

The postholder must recognise the importance of managing information according to legal requirements, quality standards and OPCC procedures.