The Home Office is the government department with lead responsibility for counter-terrorism, policing, fire, drugs and crime, borders, immigration, citizenship and passports.

Home Office Science works in support of these business areas and includes specialists from across the whole range of scientific disciplines: social researchers; operational researchers; economists; statisticians; physical scientists, engineers; veterinary, medical and biological scientists. We play a vital role in supporting the Home Office’s work, in policy and operations, providing stakeholders and end-users with the best evidence, science, technology, analysis and research available. We do this by:

• ensuring a sound evidence base to inform the development and delivery of policy and front-line operations; and
• helping the department identify and respond to wider strategic or emerging operational issues. 

The Home Office Science Commissioning Hub is the unit within the Home Office that works with our stakeholders and end-users to identify capability gaps and challenges and to tailor science and technology support and provision to address requirements. Through a range of Science and Technology (S&T) delivery partners, we commission solutions, working closely with our senior stakeholders and end-users to ensure that outputs meet the requirement. We work closely with external providers to give expert scientific and technical support to policing, the Home Office and other government departments.  We are involved in cutting-edge research and development, addressing a wide range of key issues.

The Commissioning Hub is the primary Science & Technology (S&T) interface between Home Office Ministers and policy formulation; frontline operational decision makers; end users and the delivery organisations. We engage with senior users across the Home Office and the wider government customer community to understand their needs, and then work with the delivery organisations to ensure the most appropriate S&T is commissioned and delivered.

The current portfolio of work addresses a considerable proportion of the Home Office interests. A representative number of themes include:

• Data Science
• Identity, Digital and Forensics
• Behavioural Science and Analysis
• Science and Technology Futures
• Autonomous and Unmanned Systems
• Frontline Technologies
• Detection
• Covert Surveillance, Communications and Search
• Roads Policing Technologies

The Commissioning Hub is located in 2 Marsham Street, London but also has desk space in Croydon.

Job description

As one of three Police Advisers, reporting to the Senior Police Adviser and Head of Commissioning, you will provide a vital link between the Commissioning Hub, key Home Office policing stakeholders and delivery partners, including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). You will achieve this by advising the Commissioning Hub and delivery partners on strategic and operational policing and security requirements. This advice will be in the context of the full range of frontline policing activity and will include the specialist areas of armed policing, less lethal weapons and public order.

You will help to develop perspective, and provide advice, on policing issues affecting other business groups within the Home Office and wider government where necessary.

You will be pivotal in steering the future work of Home Office Science, promoting the interests of the police service and others internally and representing the Commissioning Hub externally at all levels.

You will develop and leverage close working relationships with senior policing bodies and their representatives, overseas law enforcement agencies and other government departments as well as stakeholders within industry and academia.

Regular UK and occasional overseas travel will be necessary.

Conditions of service 

This post is offered on secondment for 2 years (extendable to 4 years by agreement) to substantive Chief Inspectors (or Inspector on temporary promotion).

All applicants must obtain their Line Managers support to apply for this post and, where applicable, suitability for temporary promotion.

All applicants must obtain Chief Officer approval to be released on secondment prior to applying for this post.

All applicants must notify their Human Resource or Personnel departments prior to applying for this post.

Essential criteria

• You will have sound strategic understanding of the principal issues facing Policing, the Home Office and key stakeholders with an emphasis on frontline policing, including the specialist areas of armed policing, less lethal weapons and public order.

• You must have experience of developing and maintaining effective partnerships at an operational and strategic level.

• You will be a highly effective communicator and able to confidently engage at all levels within your own and partner organisations, including at senior and executive levels.

• You must have a detailed understanding of the current national policing governance structures, relative to frontline policing, including the specialist areas of armed policing, less lethal weapons and public order.

• You will demonstrate an awareness of future policing challenges which early consideration of science and technology can address.

• You will be/have recently been an accredited Tactical Firearms Commander or Public Order Bronze Commander with proven operational experience in one or both roles.

• You must be able to demonstrate the ability to work with limited supervision as part of a small team, being able to prioritise workloads and proactively develop relationships with key stakeholders and partners.

• You will practice the highest levels of professionalism, ensuring the principles and standards of professional behaviour for policing are embedded in your work.  

• Must be vetted to minimum SC status and be willing to undergo DV.

Desirable criteria

• Recent experience of frontline policing.
• Have experience of, or demonstrate, a broad understanding of legislation and procedure associated with public order and/or armed policing.
• Understand commercial confidentiality and sensitivity.

Essential skills and suitability for selection will be assessed against the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework (www.college.police.uk)

COMPETENCIES

• We are emotionally aware
• We are collaborative
• We analyse critically
• We are innovative and open minded
• We deliver, support and inspire

VALUES

• Integrity

Pensions

Secondees will retain their current pension arrangements.

Allowances

Accommodation is not provided with this post.

There will be a requirement for regional travel as part of this role. Additional travel costs over and above normal home to office will be reimbursed, subject to agreement. Travel and subsistence allowances within current policy will be reimbursed.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The minimum level of vetting required to apply for this post is SC and applicants must be willing to undergo DV.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK Immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you are applying for a role requiring security clearance, please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However, certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside of the UK.

To apply:

Please submit a CV detailing your relevant posting history and a letter of interest explaining why you are suitable for the role.

Confirmation of no outstanding misconduct matters must be provided with the CV and covering letter.

Your CV and letter, accompanied by Line Manager and Chief Officer supporting comments, must be submitted for the attention of the Senior Police Adviser by email to:

CommissioningHub@homeoffice.gov.uk

The closing date for receipt of applications is Midnight on Sunday 14^th March 2021. Applications received after this date will not be considered or responded to.