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HM Prison and Probation Service

Drug and Alcohol Detection Policy Lead (Ref:5102)

On site

London, United kingdom

Freelance

15-04-2025

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Expired

Job Specifications

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, Wales, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

Job Summary

This position is based nationally

Job Description

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop drug and alcohol testing policy in the Drug and Alcohol Detection team within the Drug and Alcohol Group (DAG) to support the delivery of a suite of six drug and alcohol detection testing contracts worth c. £13 million annually.

This vacancy is fixed term for up to 12 months.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident leader with strong policy implementation and stakeholder management skills to lead the agency's new drug testing and surveillance policy across custodial and community settings.

Drug misuse and supply within the criminal justice system undermine rehabilitation efforts, pose immediate safety risks, and drive a cycle of debt and violence, hindering HMPPS's core objectives. As the agency shifts towards a public health approach, we have introduced a new drug testing contract to support frontline delivery and provide a clearer understanding of the substances that pose the biggest threat to recovery efforts.

The post-holder will lead the development of a drug testing policy framework, ensuring consistency and efficiency in mobilising the drug testing contracts across the service. This role allows for demonstrating impact in operationalising policy, managing complex projects and contracts, and working with diverse stakeholders across government and MoJ Commercial. As a ministerial priority, the contract is also overseen by the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).

The post-holder will contribute to the broader development of drug and alcohol testing policy within the Drug and Alcohol Group (DAG). Currently, the group is developing its multiyear spending review bid, with drug detection at its core. This role offers the opportunity to support new testing policies, collaborate with the MoJ science office on research and development for piloting new detection technologies, and eventually lead a thematic area within DAG's thematic area lead model.

An essential demonstration of effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills and experience of building, influencing and maintaining strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders is required. The job holder must have excellent written and verbal communication skills as they will be required to brief, draft and present to a variety of stakeholders, including strategy boards, senior leaders and Ministers.

HR approval has been given for this FTA for a minimum period of a year. However, subject to funding approvals there is also possibility for the role to be made permanent. This will be confirmed later in the year.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and develop drug and alcohol testing policy in the Drug and Alcohol Detection team within the Drug and Alcohol Group (DAG) to support the delivery of a suite of six drug and alcohol detection testing contracts worth c. £13 million annually.

This vacancy is fixed term for up to 12 months.

This is an exciting opportunity for a confident leader with strong policy implementation and stakeholder management skills to lead the agency's new drug testing and surveillance policy across custodial and community settings.

Drug misuse and supply within the criminal justice system undermine rehabilitation efforts, pose immediate safety risks, and drive a cycle of debt and violence, hindering HMPPS's core objectives. As the agency shifts towards a public health approach, we have introduced a new drug testing contract to support frontline delivery and provide a clearer understanding of the substances that pose the biggest threat to recovery efforts.

The post-holder will lead the development of a drug testing policy framework, ensuring consistency and efficiency in mobilising the drug testing contracts across the service. This role allows for demonstrating impact in operationalising policy, managing complex projects and contracts, and working with diverse stakeholders across government and MoJ Commercial. As a ministerial priority, the contract is also overseen by the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP).

The post-holder will contribute to the broader development of drug and alcohol testing policy within the Drug and Alcohol Group (DAG). Currently, the group is developing its multiyear spending review bid, with drug detection at its core. This role offers the opportunity to support new testing policies, collaborate with the MoJ science office on research and development for piloting new detection technologies, and eventually lead a thematic area within DAG's thematic area lead model.

An essential demonstration of effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills and experience of building, influencing and maintaining strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders is required. The job holder must have excellent written and verbal communication skills as they will be required to brief, draft and present to a variety of stakeholders, including strategy boards, senior leaders and Ministers.

HR approval has been given for this FTA for a minimum period of a year. However, subject to funding approvals there is also possibility for the role to be made permanent. This will be confirmed later in the year.

Person specification

Please Refer To Job Description

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service

Alongside your salary of £53,324, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £15,447 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Access to learning and development
A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Annual Leave
Public Holidays
Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page.

Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.

https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Strengths.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete...

About the Company

HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. It exists to ensure people serve their sentences given by courts, both in prisons and on probation in the community. Working for HMPPS is not your average job. Whether it’s: • diffusing confrontation • helping a prisoner learn a new skill • assessing and managing the risk posed by people on probation • or supporting offenders to make positive changes in their lives The everyday of these jobs is extraordinary. And our unique and inte... Know more