ASCENSION ISLAND GOVERNMENT

VACANCY NOTICE

Police Constable 

Total package value up to £33,330 (accompanied)

(including allowances and housing)

 Additional benefits include annual home leave, vehicle and personal effects shipping, free medical and dental care, free schooling and annual travel insurance.

About the role

A unique and challenging opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual, to join the Royal St. Helena Police Service (RSHP) on Ascension Island. The Royal St. Helena Police Service covers both Ascension Island and St. Helena and, at full strength, consists of 34 officers.

We are seeking to recruit three Police Constables to serve on Ascension Island on a contractual basis for a period of two years in the first instance. The successful candidate will join a small detachment of officers responsible for policing and immigration needs of this small British Overseas Territory.

What you’ll do

The key duties and objectives of the post of Police Constable are as follows:

• Play a front-line role in the prevention and detection of crime and the criminal justice system.
• Work in partnership on a day-to-day basis with the local community, stakeholders (notably U.K. and U.S. military personnel based on Ascension Island) and colleagues in order to promote law and order, reduce the fear of crime, provide reassurance and build confidence to improve the quality of life for citizens.
• Exercise legal powers to enable the maintenance of law and order.
• Make autonomous decisions in accordance with the National Decision Model and Code of Ethics, exercising professional discretion, as appropriate to the role, in line with legal frameworks and policy guidelines.
• Meet and maintain the highest professional standards required of their role, by conducting all actions in a legal, balanced, proportionate and justifiable manner to uphold the law and achieve the best outcomes in a wide range of situations/incidents.
• Undertake the role of Immigration Officer for Ascension Island and support the Ascension Island Government (AIG) in any other relevant tasks.

You will help to develop, shape and influence the development of policing on Ascension Island in order to deliver RSHP and AIG strategic objectives and ensure consistency of approach, delivery and enforcement.  More information is contained in the job description.

What you’ll bring

You’ll have at least two years’ experience as a U.K. (or U.K. Overseas Territory) police officer and have successfully completed your probationary period.  You must be fluent in English (written and spoken).

Experience of interviewing witnesses and suspects and a working knowledge of PACE is essential, as is a full and clean driving licence for a motor car.  It will be an advantage for you to be able to demonstrate strong evidence of your investigative skills, witness/victim statement taking, knowledge of roads policing and drink/drive procedures and community policing and problem solving skills.

What we offer

In addition to an annual salary of up to £17,673 (taxable on Ascension) for an officer with 5+ years’ experience on successful completion of a 6 month probationary period, the role attracts an Accompanied status contract and the following benefits:

• Rent free accommodation (value £400+ per month).
• A food allowance of £7,200 pa accompanied or £3,600 pa single status.
• An electricity allowance worth £938 pa.
• A water allowance worth £2,720 pa accompanied or £1,360 single status.
• Relocation costs for your personal effects, including the shipment of a vehicle.
• One mid-contract return journey to your country of recruitment
• A gratuity payable on the successful completion of a 2 year contract
• 30 days annual holiday (with additional 9 days public holidays).
• Free primary dental and medical care and medical referral or medivac provision if required.
• Free schooling of dependent children up to 16 years.
• Free annual travel insurance.

The appointment will be subject to:

• Satisfactory employment references
• Criminal Records Check/Police Clearance
• Satisfactory Medical and Dental Clearance

What’s it like to work on Ascension?

Ascension is a small volcanic island, situated in the South Atlantic, with a warm stable climate (26-34°C). We are part of the wider UK Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, situated approximately 1,000 miles from the mainland of Africa and 800 miles from our nearest neighbour, the island of St Helena.  To thrive here in this high-profile role, you must be resilient, adaptable and able to live and work in an incredibly small community with limited availability of goods and services (in particular perishable food supplies) and also able to live with poor internet connectivity.

Closing date: Friday 14 April 2023

Interviews: Late April 2023, via Skype if off island

Required start date: May/June 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter

If you have any queries about the role, email Inspector Douglas Smith (police.inspector@ascension.gov.ac).

Application forms and Job Profile are available from: Central Human Resources or the SHG website at: www.sainthelena.gov.sh/vacancies. Applications should be submitted to Anya Richards, Human Resources Officer, e-mail recruitment@sainthelena.gov.sh