Head of Strategic Planning

Permanent
Headquarters/Hybrid
G
£45,332-£54,168 dependent on qualifications, skills and experience
Closing date
27/05/2022, 10:00
Normal Office Hours
Full-Time - 37 Hours

Exciting opportunities have arisen within the Strategy and Improvement Division at the Scottish Prison Service as we recruit for two senior roles – Head of Data and Analysis and Head of Strategic Planning.  These are new, challenging and rewarding roles, working with staff at all levels across the prison estate and headquarters to take forward development work central to SPS’s future success.

Head of Strategic Planning;

SPS is committed to putting the people who live and work in Scotland’s prisons at the heart of outcomes focused and evidence based design, delivery and improvement of services.  The Head of Strategic Planning role will be at the forefront of this commitment, supporting development and delivery of the SPS Improvement Framework, and helping SPS to meet its obligations as an effective prison service, as an Executive Agency of Scottish Government, and as a public body. This is a challenging and rewarding role, working in a new team to take forward development work that is central to SPS’s future success. The post holder will play a critical role; working with SPS staff at all levels across the prison estate and headquarters - and with a range of partner agencies - to develop integrated business planning and risk management processes in support of business improvement, as well as ensuring SPS responds effectively to scrutiny.

Leading a small team within our Strategy and Improvement function and reporting to the SPS ‘Head of Improvement’, the post holder will lead the development of SPS’s new five-year Corporate Plan during 2022, and on the creation of annual Delivery Plans to operationalise the strategic vision. The post holder will also work closely with the new Head of Data & Analysis to deliver and continue development of the quarterly Improvement Framework reports (including Delivery Plan updates) for consideration by the Executive Management Group, Advisory Board and Risk Monitoring and Audit Committee, deploying team resources in support of these arrangements. This includes the provision of strategic advice and briefings to the organisation and senior leaders on improvement in order to make sound and evidence-based business decisions.


Please note, this is a permanent opportunity but consideration could be given to a secondment opportunity.  Advance approval is required from candidate’s current employer.

We are also currently advertising the Head of Data & Analysis role.  Should your skillset be suited to that as well, we are happy to welcome applications for both.

Responsibilities
Leadership of the development of SPS’s new five-year Corporate Plan during 2022, including co-production and consultation with key stakeholders alongside the development of an evidence paper to underpin priorities. The roleholder will lead on the creation of annual corporate Delivery Plans to operationalise the strategic vision, and work with colleagues across SPS business units to: 1) cascade and monitor implementation of the vision via consistent business planning processes, and 2) constantly review and refresh corporate priorities in light of delivery on the ground.
Leading on the delivery and ongoing development of quarterly Improvement Framework reports (including Delivery Plan updates) for consideration by the Executive Management Group, Advisory Board and Risk Monitoring and Audit Committee, deploying team resources in support of these arrangements. This includes the provision of strategic advice and briefings to the organisation and senior leaders on improvement in order to make sound and evidence-based business decisions.
Supporting the development of an improvement culture within SPS by leading corporate business planning and performance processes, and working across directorates and establishments to support the development of business improvement activities.
Leading the delivery and ongoing development of SPS’s risk management approach and systems, in line with Scottish Governance Guidance. This includes preparing updates on key risks, reporting on mitigating controls and action plans to ensure managers at all levels throughout the organisation are aware of risk management and can manage risk as a core part of their responsibilities.
Leadership of some areas of policy development and developing evidence based policy for some key areas.
Person Specification

SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Behavioural Competency Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are twelve, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them , you will be assessed on these identified as key to role.

Qualifications Requirements
The post holder should be qualified to degree level or have significant relevant leadership experience with an understanding of public body governance/strategic planning, performance and/or risk expectations. ESSENTIAL
A qualification in strategic planning, risk or related disciplines. DESIRABLE.
Experience Requirements

Management Experience: Experience of working as a senior manager within a business improvement or continuous improvement role/function, with ability to effectively work across departments and support other business areas. Experience of managing individuals and teams in order to meet organisational objectives. ESSENTIAL

Please ensure CV clearly outlines the above essential criteria. 

Critical Analysis & Report Writing: Experience of carrying out critical analysis of complex information derived from a variety of different qualitative and quantitative sources in order to provide robust assessment. Ability to apply knowledge in order to collate complex information into high quality, balanced and evidenced based reports, which identify trends and patterns. ESSENTIAL

Please ensure CV clearly outlines the above essential criteria. 

Understanding of the expectations of a public body in Scotland and/or the wider justice strategic environment in terms of performance and improvement. DESIRABLE
Knowledge Skills Requirements
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Able to demonstrate a high degree of problem solving and creative thinking, regularly utilising these skills to identify trends and patterns in information allowing for the root cause of issues to be addressed and for appropriate and evidence based decisions to be taken. ESSENTIAL

Planning, Implementation & Control: An ability to plan and implement an agreed course of action in a clear and concise manner and monitor outcomes, reviewing against agreed organisational timescales and benefits, taking appropriate and timeous action to address issues as they arise. ESSENTIAL

Please ensure CV clearly outlines the above essential criteria. 

Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to clearly and effectively communicate with a variety of organisational stakeholders both verbally and in writing. Able to adapt communication style dependant on situation and audience in order to influence others whilst demonstrating credibility. ESSENTIAL
Cognitive Ability Test
Behavioural Profile
Written Exercise
Presentation
Interview
Vacancy Information Booklets:
Guidance for Applicants - External.docx – 346KB
Converted File Guidance for Applicants - External.docx.pdf – 221KB

This opportunity is closed to applications.