HEAD OF POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS THE OFFICE OF THE DURHAM POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER (Ref. 181/15)

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1 HEAD OF POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS THE OFFICE OF THE DURHAM POLICE & CRIME COMMISSIONER (Ref. 181/15) Location: Salary: Hours: Job Type: The Office of the Durham Police & Crime Commissioner based at County Hall, Durham 39,129-42,069 per annum 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, although as a senior member of staff you will have a wider commitment than this. Permanent Closing Date: 5pm on Friday 28 th August 2015 Qualifications: Degree in a relevant academic subject This is an exciting opportunity to join the team supporting the Police and Crime Commissioner for County Durham and Darlington. The Role: As Head of Policy and Communications you will lead a team to develop and deliver the PCC s strategy and policies. You will enable the PCC to engage effectively with the public, to monitor the implementation of the Police and Crime Plan, and to hold the Constabulary to account. You will provide the PCC with a robust, high quality media and communications function locally, regionally and beyond. You will work alongside the new Head of Governance and Commissioning, reporting to the Chief of Staff. You: You are driven, self-starting, intellectually curious, creative, and demand high standards of yourself and others. You are, or would be, proud to be a public servant. You don t accept the status quo. You build excellent relationships and can work in partnership with others. You might currently be a journalist or in PR, and have experience of handling stories and media events about politics and public services. You might be a policy director for a representative organisation, charity or campaigning group or another PCC or Mayor.

2 You might lead a service within local government and have experience of working with councillors or work on policy within a police force. You might be a civil servant and have developed and delivered policy nationally for Ministers. You might be in academia and have a passion for public service reform. Whatever you are currently doing, if you think you have got what it takes, and would bring skill, experience, energy and commitment to the role, then we want to hear from you. NB This is a Politically Restricted post. Broadly, that means that whilst you need to be politically aware, you cannot be party politically active. You need to be prepared to serve the democratically elected PCC regardless of their political persuasion. How to Apply? For an informal conversation please contact the Chief of Staff, Alan Reiss, on , or alan.reiss@durham-pcc.gov.uk. To apply please visit and download the application form. Completed application forms should be returned to human.resources@durham.pnn.police.uk or by post to: HR & Health Services Durham Constabulary Aykley Heads Durham DH1 5TT

3 Ref. 181/15 OFFICE OF THE DURHAM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE: SCALE: RESPONSIBLE TO: JOB PURPOSE: Head of Policy & Communications Principal 2, 39,129-42,069 per annum Chief of Staff To lead a team to develop the PCC s strategy and policies, ensure effective engagement with the public, monitor the implementation of the Police and Crime Plan, hold the Constabulary and partners to account, and provide the PCC with a robust, high quality media and communications function to raise awareness and increase public confidence. This is a new, key role, which brings together policy development and delivery, accountability, media and communications, to ensure consistency and coherence. The post holder will work alongside the new Head of Governance and Commissioning, reporting to the Chief of Staff. MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES To lead and manage staff within your area of responsibility, providing clear direction and objectives, managing performance, providing feedback, and enabling development. To lead the development and delivery of strategy and policy for the Police and Crime Commissioner, across the full range of his responsibilities and interests. To enable the PCC to engage effectively with the communities he serves, through the development and delivery of a high quality engagement strategy, making full use of all available opportunities and ensuring he reaches as wide an audience as possible. To lead the media function of the Office of the PCC, developing a media strategy, promoting the work of the PCC and the Constabulary, securing press engagements and opportunities, and making the full use of opportunities through social media; to build, develop and maintain relationships with local, regional and national journalists and opinion formers, to maximise the potential media / press impact of the PCC s work; to direct and quality assure, and on occasion draft, press releases and statements; and to advise the PCC on media action and response. To enable the PCC to hold the Chief Constable to account, including publicly, through critical analysis and publication of performance data and information. To assist the Chief of Staff and the PCC in influencing national policy, including by considering and responding to consultations. Represent the OPCC at local, regional & national meetings as required. To provide resilience to the Office by acting as the Deputy Monitoring Officer (to

4 9. the Chief of Staff). To assist the Chief of Staff in the strategic management of the Office, and to take on such additional tasks and projects commensurate with the grade of the post from time to time, as directed. The duties and responsibilities outlined above cannot encompass or define all tasks which may be required of the post holder. The outline of duties and responsibilities given above therefore may vary from time to time without materially changing either the character or level of responsibility and these factors are reflected in the grade applied to the post. August 2015

5 Ref. 181/15 HEAD OF POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE OF THE DURHAM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER PERSON SPECIFICATION JOB TITLE: Head of Policy & Communications DEPARTMENT: The Office of the Durham Police & Crime Commissioner EMPLOYEE Educational Attainment/ Professional Qualifications THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING:- Degree or equivalent in a relevant academic subject ASSESSMENT CRITERIA Work Experience At least two years management experience. At least three years professional experience.in a media / public services environment At least three years administrative experience including policy and report writing Sift / Interview Knowledge/Skills/ Aptitudes Enhanced Numerical skills, e.g. performing complex calculations. Sift/Test/Interview Advanced literacy skills, e.g. composing original policies and reports at a strategic level. Sift/Test/Interview

6 Enhanced keyboard skills, e.g. use of spreadsheets, inputting into database systems, etc. where accuracy is Sift/Test/Interview essential but speed is not a key demand. Disposition Able to work under pressure to meet specific deadlines Able to work on own initiative as well as part of a team Excellent communication skills Sift / Interview Special Requirements To be of the highest integrity To have a respect for diversity and be committed to the principles of Equal Opportunities To possess a full, current driving licence or have access to a means of mobility support Ref. 181/15

7 OFFICE OF THE DURHAM POLICE AND CRIME COMMISSIONER CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT HEAD OF POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS 1. SALARY Annual salary will be based on Durham Principal 2 of the Police Staff Council:- 39,129 40,116 41,091 42, PENSION New employees are required to choose a pension arrangement to which they will contribute on taking up appointment with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The Local Government Pension Scheme. The State Earnings Related Pension Scheme. A Personal Pension arrangement. New employees will be automatically enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme. The successful applicant will have the right to opt out of the Pension Scheme once they have commenced employment 3. SICKNESS DECLARATION & MEDICAL SCREENING/ EXAMINATION This appointment will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment medical screening. During these pre-employment checks the Constabulary requests sickness details from your previous employer(s). Following screening the successful candidate may be required to attend for a medical appointment. 4. ANNUAL LEAVE Annual leave will be calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the number of hours worked per week. Annual leave for a full time employee (37 hours per week) will be a minimum of 26 days rising to a maximum of 31 days after 5 years continuous service. The annual leave year runs from 1

8 st January to 31 st December and those who commence employment during the year will be entitled to a proportion of the annual leave entitlement. 5. PERIOD OF NOTICE The appointment will be terminable by 6 weeks notice in writing on either side, subject to the provisions of the Employment Rights Act, PROBATIONARY PERIOD Substantive appointment is subject to a Probationary Period of 6 months. At the end of the Probationary Period, subject to satisfactory report, you will be transferred to the established staff. 7. TRAINING The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has a positive policy towards identifying and meeting the training needs of all of its staff and it is a condition of employment that staff are prepared to participate in any training courses which are felt to be appropriate to their needs. Most training needs will be met within the organisation, but he/she may be required to attend job related short courses. 8. POLITICAL RESTRICTIONS This is a politically restricted post within Section 1 of the Local Government and Housing Act ACCOMMODATION / LOCATION OF POST This post will be based at The Office of the Durham Police & Crime Commissioner based at County Hall, Durham. This location will be your normal place of work for the purpose of excess mileage or other such claims. However, the Office of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner reserves the right to require you, on a temporary basis, to carry out any other duties or move to any other post appropriate to your grade, at any location within County Durham and Darlington as business requirements indicate. The role may also require travel locally, regionally and nationally including to London. If you are required to move on a permanent basis, you will be required to do so only after a reasonable period of consultation and notice, which will take into account your reasonable personal requirements. Any additional reasonable travelling expenses which may incur as a result of any change of your place of work will be met by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner as per current policy.

9 10. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY The Police and Crime Commissioner requires a respect for diversity, encourages and is committed to the principles of Equal Opportunities. 11. WORKING HOURS 37 hours per week, working Monday to Friday, although as a senior member of staff you will have a wider commitment than this. The flexible working hours scheme is applicable to this post. 12. TRAVELLING EXPENSES Expenses will not be paid for any part of the recruitment procedures. 13. OTHER CONDITIONS The other terms and conditions of appointment (including the conditions relative to annual leave and the payment of salary in case of sickness) will be in accordance with relevant regulations. 14. CANVASSING Canvassing, either directly or indirectly, is prohibited. 15. SMOKING POLICY The PCC operates a No Smoking policy. 16. SELECTION PROCESS The selection process will consist of an application form, interview, presentation and potentially a written exercise. 17. ADDITIONAL BUSINESS OR EMPLOYMENT Employees must devote their whole-time service to the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner and must not engage in any other business or take up any other employment without the written consent of the Police and Crime Commissioner. 18. APPOINTMENT OFFER/ANTICIPATED DATE FOR FILLING THIS POST It is anticipated that a conditional offer of an appointment to this post will be made approximately one month after the closing date. The appointment offer will be subject to satisfactory references, medical and security clearances. Should any clearances prove to be unsatisfactory the Police and Crime Commissioner reserves the right to withdraw any offer of employment made. A starting date will be agreed following receipt of satisfactory clearances, taking into account notice periods required. This post will be filled as soon as practicable.