Generic Policy Lead

Overview

The job holder is expected to identify the need for the development of new policy or revision of existing policy, carry out appropriate research, analyse information from a range of sources and then provide first drafts of policy instructions and guidance.

The job holder will develop effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders at all levels, including operational front line staff and senior officials from Other Government Departments. The job holder will on occasions be required to represent HMPPS in meetings with outside organisations and stakeholders and Other Government Departments.

• Developing, planning the delivery of and consulting on new operational policy or legislative changes in respect of the relevant policy areas, and assisting with their implementation including drafting new guidance, and training staff across England and Wales as required.
• Drafting replies to ministerial correspondence and correspondence from offenders, victims, and members of the public, and researching and drafting submissions and answers to Parliamentary Questions.
• Responsible for researching, drafting and producing both informative and persuasive submissions, for clearance by Head of Team, to Ministers which often comment on complex and sensitive inter-departmental issues, for which agreement must be sought.
• Responsible for drafting notes to senior officials, informing them of the status of cases.
• Undertaking detailed research for questions of policy and providing interpretation of the published guidance.
• Liaising with legal advisors to ensure policy objectives are met and are consistent with legal advice.
• Providing national guidance and interpretation on the relevant policy areas, including legislation and complex case specific issues in response to enquiries from staff and managers in probation divisions and prisons, officials from other HMPPS/MoJ Units, Government departments and agencies.
• Setting up projects, with appropriate governance arrangements to support the project, identifying risks and mitigating action and reporting on progress to senior managers and stakeholders.
• Representing the policy area/team/group at meetings with HQ and frontline staff - and feeding back information to senior management.