NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE. Chief Fire & Rescue Officer. Candidate Information Pack

Transcription

1 NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Candidate Information Pack

2 NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE CONTENTS Section 1 Foreword 3 Page Section 2 Organisational Information 4 Section 3 The Role 6 Section 4 Job Description 8 Section 5 Person Specification 11 Section 6 Conditions of Appointment 13 Section 7 Selection Process 15 Section 8 Guidance Notes for Applicants 16 Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 2 of 19

3 Section 1 Foreword Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) is committed to Protecting Our Community and serve the entire community, a population of 1.8 million in an area of over 5,500 square miles. We are proud to deliver a fire and rescue service, working in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Over the last number of years much has been achieved within NIFRS under the leadership of an Interim Chief Executive and an Interim Chief Fire Officer, but there is much still to be done, making this a unique opportunity for a new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer to have a major influence on the future of the service. We are therefore seeking to appoint a Chief Fire & Rescue Officer who will fulfil a combined role as the strategic leader of the organisation and be the designated Accounting Officer for NIFRS. We are looking for an individual of exceptional calibre who will lead a transformational change programme which will deliver a modern, customer focused and cost effective Fire & Rescue Service to the community. As with many other organisations across all Sectors, NIFRS faces a period of unprecedented financial pressure which means that the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer will need to have a complex set of skills to deliver the level of transformation required while working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders. This includes ensuring strong governance arrangements are in place and providing assurances to the Board regarding systems of internal control. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer must also promote and role model integrity and ethical behaviours. Thank you for your interest in this post which we believe provides a unique opportunity to have a major influence on the future of the service. I hope that the information within this pack will provide you with an insight into the position and I look forward to receiving your application. Chairman Dr J McKee Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 3 of 19

4 Section 2 Organisational Information NIFRS protects and serves the entire population of Northern Ireland, an area of over 5,500 square miles and with a population of 1.81 million, providing them with a range of fire and rescue services. Under The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011, we respond to fires, road traffic collisions and other emergencies including chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, search and rescue incidents, serious flooding and serious transport incidents. We provide a range of community engagement initiatives to help reduce risk and keep people safe from the dangers of fire and other types of incidents that we respond to. We have a dedicated 999 Regional Control Centre where all the Fire 999 calls for Northern Ireland are answered and Fire Crews mobilised to respond. As an organisation we have a shared vision, a clear mission and values that underpin absolutely everything we do. Our Vision: Our Mission: Protecting Our Community. To deliver a fire and rescue service and work in partnership with others to ensure the safety and well-being of our community. Our Values: We value our People, keeping them safe and well-trained; We value Leadership and leading by example; We value Teamwork and working together; We value the utmost Integrity in everything we do; We value Diversity, equality and fairness and we consider the needs of our staff and the community we serve; We value open and honest Communication with our staff and with all our stakeholders; We value working in Partnership; and We value the pursuit of Excellence and continuous improvement at all levels of our organisation. Our 6 Key Strategic Aims As an organisation we have 6 overarching Strategic Aims that drive all aspects of our core business in providing the most effective, efficient and safe service possible to protect our community. These are: Strategic Aim 1 Strategic Aim 2 Respond to Emergencies To provide an efficient, effective and resilient emergency response with resources aligned to risk. Develop a Safer Community Reduce the incidence of fire and other emergencies by the Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 4 of 19

5 provision of a targeted efficient and effective safety education, advice and legal enforcement service. Strategic Aim 3 Strategic Aim 4 Strategic Aim 5 Strategic Aim 6 Manage Resources and Monitor Performance Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources to provide value for money based on integrated risk management. Support Our People Provide a well equipped, competent and highly motivated workforce which reflects the community we serve. Governance and Accountability In line with our values, and robust governance and scrutiny, operate in accordance with appropriate legislation, ensuring safety, sustainability and partnership are central to all our activities. Manage Change and Drive Improvement Manage change and improvement through identification of best practice in line with the needs and expectations of all our stakeholders. Our Operational Structure We currently have 4 operational Area Commands Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. Area Commanders, each responsible for one of the four Area Commands, manage operational activity on a day to day basis. Our 4 Area Commands are supported by 14 Districts, strategically placed across Northern Ireland and which create a community focus for NIFRS activities. District Commanders are responsible for the Fire Stations in their District. There are 68 Fire Stations across Northern Ireland each serving their local community. Our Headquarters is situated in Lisburn (including our Regional Control Centre) and our Fire & Rescue Service Training Centre is currently situated at Boucher Crescent in Belfast. Our People Our team of people cover a range of Operational and Support roles as follows: Establishment Strength (2015) Wholetime Retained Controls Support TOTAL 2,225 2,141 Further details in relation to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service are available on the NIFRS website: Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 5 of 19

6 Section 3 The Role The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer is responsible for the strategic leadership of NIFRS, ensuring strategic objectives, and Service responsibilities as detailed in legislation, are met. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer is also the designated Accounting Officer for NIFRS, directly responsible to the Chairman for safeguarding public funds. Board Responsibilities The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer has responsibility for ensuring that the functions of the Board are carried out effectively and efficiently. The Board is responsible to the Northern Ireland Assembly, through the Public Safety Minister and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), for ensuring that everyone in Northern Ireland is provided with an effective, efficient and safe fire and rescue service to protect them. The Board is responsible for providing fire and rescue services across Northern Ireland and is funded by the Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety. The Board comprises a non-executive Chair, the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer and 10 nonexecutive Members. Leadership of the Corporate Management Team Key to success in this role will be the ability to develop and to lead a high performing integrated Corporate Management Team. The structure of the Corporate Management Team at present is as follows: Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Director of Operational Support) Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Director of Community Development) Director of Human Resources Director of Finance Director of Planning, Performance & Governance Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 6 of 19

7 Challenges Making a difference to people s lives, protecting them and keeping them safe from emergencies, is the backbone of what we do, and the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer plays a crucial role in leading NIFRS forward as an organisation to achieve this. NIFRS has come through a difficult few years with a series of well-documented external reviews and audits calling for change and transformation across the organisation. We have worked hard to address very challenging legacy issues and we now have a clear direction of travel and continue to transform as an organisation. For NIFRS, like all public bodies, recent years have been financially challenging with and the years beyond destined in many ways to be even more so. Some of the ongoing challenges include: the need to deliver efficiencies in order to ensure a value for money service to the community aligning resources to risk across Northern Ireland in line with our Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP) process and plan working closely with our partners to ensure that we are targeting the right resources, in the right places and at the right times to best protect those most at risk preventing emergency incidents occurring in the first place through our Prevention & Protection Strategy continuing to improve our processes and governance. As we look ahead, we hope to further cement improvement and validate our direction of travel as we continue to build and improve our processes and governance. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 7 of 19

8 Section 4 Job Description TITLE: CHIEF FIRE & RESCUE OFFICER REFERENCE: CHIEF FIRE & RESCUE OFFICER U012/06/2015 LOCATION: FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE HEADQUARTERS RESPONSIBLE TO: NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE BOARD THE CONTEXT The Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 establishes the legislative framework for Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS). The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer has responsibility for ensuring that the functions of the Board are carried out effectively and efficiently. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer, under the Management Statement between DHSSPS and the NIFRS Board, is also the Chief Executive with responsibility as Accounting Officer. Throughout this document the term Chief Fire & Rescue Officer also implies the combined role of Chief Fire & Rescue Officer/Chief Executive. THE CHALLENGE NIFRS requires a Chief Fire & Rescue Officer of exceptional calibre to lead a transformational change programme which will deliver a modern, customer focused and cost effective Fire & Rescue Service to the community. As with many other organisations across all Sectors, NIFRS faces a period of unprecedented financial pressure which means that the Chief Fire & Rescue Officer will need to possess comprehensive knowledge and competencies in order to deliver the level of transformation required while working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders. The ability to ensure the highest standards of corporate governance is also of vital importance. Much has been achieved in recent years but there is much still to be done, making this a unique opportunity for the new Chief Fire & Rescue Officer to have a major influence on the future of the service. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 8 of 19

9 THE ROLE OF THE CHIEF FIRE & RESCUE OFFICER The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer is responsible for the strategic leadership of NIFRS, ensuring strategic objectives, and Service responsibilities as detailed in legislation, are met. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer is the designated Accounting Officer for NIFRS, directly responsible to the Chairman for safeguarding public funds. This includes ensuring strong governance arrangements are in place and providing assurances to the Board regarding systems of internal control. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer must also promote and role model integrity and ethical behaviours. KEY TASKS OF THE JOB 1. Ensure the provision of an effective and efficient Fire and Rescue Service in accordance with all statutory and legal duties which will continually enhance the safety and well-being of the entire community. 2. Provide strong leadership, vision and strategic direction necessary to manage the complex relationships between key NIFRS stakeholders and work in partnership to deliver Corporate Objectives. 3. Effectively manage change programmes across the service to deliver transformation in line with Corporate Objectives. 4. Ensure NIFRS organisational structure is fit for purpose and that reviews are implemented effectively. 5. Lead the development of strategies and programmes which will transform the culture of the organisation in line with Corporate Vision and Values. 6. Communicate effectively with all key stakeholders internally and externally including employees, representative bodies, partners, DHSPSS and the public. 7. Create and lead a high performing integrated Corporate Management Team. 8. Oversee all aspects of managing the organisation, ensuring the highest standards and the delivery of efficiency savings. 9. Embed a strong performance management and continuous improvement culture across the Service. 10. Develop and embed talent management and succession planning within the Service. 11. Ensure public confidence in NIFRS and actively promote the Service locally and nationally, representing NIFRS on relevant bodies e.g. Chief Fire Officers Association. 12. Ensure strong governance arrangements are in place and promote and role model integrity and ethical behaviours. Provide assurances to the Board regarding systems of internal control. 13. Champion the benefits of diversity, equality of opportunity and dignity and respect across the Service. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 9 of 19

10 14. Ensure efficient management of all resources and provide strong financial management which will deliver efficiencies while meeting statutory obligations for service delivery. 15. Ensure the provision of an effective and efficient Fire and Rescue Service in accordance with all statutory, legal and other obligations and act as principal professional advisor to NIFRS and the Board. 16. Ensure operational resilience in respect of Gold Command Cover and the Principal Officer rota duty. 17. Attend operational incidents and assume command as necessary, providing leadership and decision making to effectively manage risk. 18. Maintaining an effective employee relations framework for the conduct of all negotiations with representative bodies. 19. Representing NIFRS on various national bodies. 20. Ensure effective systems are in place to comply with health and safety legislation and risk management. 21. Ensure effective emergency and business continuity planning and management within NIFRS. 22. Such other duties commensurate with the post as may be required from time to time. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 10 of 19

11 Section 5 Person specification It is essential that in your written application you give evidence or examples of your knowledge and experience in the criteria listed in this Person Specification. Applicants must provide evidence that they meet each of the following criteria by the closing date for applications. EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS Essential Criteria 1. Qualifications Degree or equivalent qualification Recent* evidence of commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) to maintain up to date knowledge and skills *Recent will normally mean within the last 5 years 2. Experience 2 years strategic experience at a Senior Management** level to include managing operational incidents at a strategic level **Senior management may be a serving Chief Officer, Chief Fire Officer, Chief Executive, a Director or equivalent level (i.e. normally a second tier manager reporting to the Head of Service). For Fire & Rescue Service employees this will be interpreted as experience at Assistant Chief Fire Officer or above Senior Management experience for at least 3 years during the last ten years in an organisation of similar complexity*** to NIFRS, which must include: Membership of a senior management team Delivery of organisational change programmes Managing in a complex governance structure Managing budgets in a demanding environment Working effectively in a political and unionised environment Partnership working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders Management and development of value for money services within a performance management system and a culture of continuous improvement *** NIFRS employs in excess of 2,100 staff, has almost 75 sites (including 68 stations) and a revenue budget of circa 70m Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 11 of 19

12 3. Qualities and Attributes Excellent leadership and change management skills Effective Resource Management, Business Planning and Decision Making skills Political sensitivity and awareness and an ability to maintain effective working relationships to develop and implement policy Excellent communication skills and highly developed media management skills Ability to manage organisation wide projects effectively Ability to analyse and manage information to inform and influence internal and external stakeholders Ability to apply risk management processes including addressing corporate risk/responsibility (e.g. Integrated Risk Management Planning (IRMP) activities) 4. Knowledge Demonstrate knowledge of the local and national challenges facing the Fire and Rescue Service and their strategic implications Knowledge of the statutory role, powers and responsibilities of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service 5. Other Conditions Current full driving licence Willingness to travel as required Desirable Criteria 1. Qualifications Completed a senior management development programme or qualification e.g. Executive Leadership Programme Postgraduate level qualification or equivalent in a business related discipline e.g. Executive Leadership Programme 2. Experience Experience delivering significant transformational and cultural change Working at national level NOTE: Where a candidate is relying on qualifications that are not identical to but equivalent to those stipulated, it is their responsibility to provide evidence as to how their qualifications meet the required standard. Where mutual recognition is agreed between professional/educational bodies, the candidate must obtain written confirmation to that effect from those bodies. If equivalence is not immediately clear to the Selecting Officers, no enquiries will be made by NIFRS and the candidate s application may not proceed as a result. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 12 of 19

13 Section 6 Conditions of Appointment Conditions of service are contained within the National Joint Council for Brigade Managers of Fire and Rescue Services, Constitution and Scheme of Conditions of Service (Gold Book) Fifth Edition 2006, supplemented by conditions laid down by Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service. This summary is an indication of the conditions of appointment and is not intended to be exhaustive. 1 Salary The salary will be within the range 117, ,000 per annum. The actual salary offered will be commensurate with the experience, qualifications and competencies of the successful candidate. The salary is inclusive of the requirement to provide operational cover. Subsistence and travel expenses will be paid as per Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Travel and Subsistence Policy (under review). 2 Working Week The working week will be variable and will comprise the hours necessary to fulfil the obligations of the post. The Chief Fire & Rescue Officer will provide Principal Officer fire cover, as appropriate, in accordance with the needs of the Service. 3 Pension The successful candidate will be automatically enrolled into the relevant pension scheme. Further details can be given on request. 4 Probation Appointment is subject to completion of a 6 month satisfactory probationary period. 5 Location The role is based at NIFRS Headquarters, 1 Seymour Street, Lisburn, BT27 4SX. 6 Accommodation The successful candidate will be required to reside within Northern Ireland. This should be convenient to Service Headquarters at Lisburn. Where NIFRS deems that relocation is essential, the Board will consider claims for reasonably incurred expenses associated with relocating. Any payments must be compliant with HM Revenue and Customs regulations. Reimbursement will be determined on a case by case basis. 7 Service Car The person appointed will be supplied with a Service car for use on official duties. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 13 of 19

14 8 Notice Requirements Subject to any provisions contained in legislation, the appointment may be terminated by three months notice given by either party. 9 Canvassing Canvassing, in any form, oral or written, direct or indirect, will, if proven, lead to disqualification. 10 Pre-Employment Checks Appointment is subject to: (i) A satisfactory medical examination. (ii) A satisfactory standard disclosure will be required prior to appointment. (iii) Receipt of satisfactory references. References will only be sought as part of a preemployment check prior to appointment. References will be taken up from both referees named on the application form, one of which must be a current employer or, if not currently employed, the most recent employer who would have knowledge of the successful candidate in a working environment. Candidates must be specific when providing address/contact details for referees. Following the introduction of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 in respect of the prevention of illegal working, NIFRS are obliged to conduct proof of identity and right to work in the UK checks. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate they are entitled to work in the UK. If the individual is unable to produce the relevant documents, or the documents are not satisfactory, the offer of employment may be withdrawn. Candidates are also required to produce original documents to verify their identity, one of which must be photographic identification. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 14 of 19

15 Section 7 Selection Process The selection and assessment process is outlined below: Stage 1 Application Form & Shortlisting The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3.00pm on 2 July Please note NIFRS do not accept applications via or after the closing date. Guidance notes are provided in section 8 to assist you when completing your application. The information provided in your application form is critical for the shortlisting process. Only those who have sufficiently demonstrated on their application form that they meet the criteria by the closing date will be invited to the next stage. Assessment centre and interview dates have been provided and you may indicate on your application form if you have pre-arranged commitments which would prevent you from attending on the specified dates. Reasonable consideration will be given to this information but it should be noted that it may not be possible to accommodate alternative dates. Stage 2 - Assessment Centre* The assessment centre will be held on 28 July The Health & Social Care Leadership Centre will conduct the assessment centre and the exercises are designed to determine your suitability for the role. Only the highest performing candidates will be invited to the interview stage. Stage 3 Interview* Interviews will take place on 27 August 2015 and will assess key competencies, personal qualities, and attributes for the role. Stage 4 - Pre-Employment Checks & Health Assessment The successful candidate will be offered employment subject to satisfactory: I. Health Assessment - appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination. II. A satisfactory standard disclosure will be required to be completed prior to appointment. III. References Offers of appointment are conditional upon receipt of satisfactory references. *Based upon the job description, the relevant role map (Brigade Manager), BARS (Brigade Manager), PQAs (National Strategic Manager) and relevant National Operational Standards. Documents are available on NIFRS website as part of the application pack. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 15 of 19

16 Section 8 Guidance Notes for Applicants 1. Please read the candidate information pack before completing your application form. 2. We will not accept CVs, letters, additional pages or any other supplementary material in place of or in addition to completed application forms. 3. We do not accept applications via You must complete all sections of the application form before your application can be considered. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. 5. You must sign your application form prior to submission. Application forms without a signature will not be accepted and will result in disqualification. 6. All applications must be received by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted. 7. Ensure that the correct postage is applied as NIFRS will not pay excess postage and as such any application forms with insufficient postage will not be accepted. 8. The space available on the application form is the same for all applicants and must not be altered. 9. You must complete the application form in either typescript font size 12 or legible block capitals using black ink. If typing, you must do so directly into the form. Please do not copy and paste from another document. 10. Candidates must not reformat application forms. The form has been locked to restrict editing. 11. Information in support of your application will not be accepted after the closing date for receipt of applications. 12. Do not use abbreviations or complex technical detail. 13. You must provide evidence in the relevant section of the application form that you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications. 14. You must provide sufficient information for your application to be assessed bearing in mind the criteria for the post. Care should be taken to ensure that details are full, accurate and relevant to the post requirements. You must ensure that the information provided clearly demonstrates how you meet the criteria as failure to do so will result in your application not being shortlisted. 15. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria in the relevant section provided. Each criterion is assessed individually and must therefore be completed in full i.e. you must not rely on information included in a previous section for another criterion. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 16 of 19

17 16. Applicants relying on qualifications regarded as equivalent are responsible for providing evidence as to how qualifications meet the required standard. If equivalence is not immediately clear, no enquiries will be made by NIFRS and your application may not proceed as a result. 17. NIFRS reserve the right to use both the essential and desirable criteria for shortlisting purposes. 18. Communication with candidate during some stage of the selection process may be via , therefore please ensure you provide a valid address. 19. Please print and sign your completed application form on single sided pages prior to submission. 20. You will be advised of the outcome of your application in writing as soon as possible following each stage of the selection process Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 17 of 19

18 Section 8 Additional Information Reasonable Adjustments If you require any assistance/reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process due to a disability, please give details in the relevant section of the monitoring form on your application form. Details of any disability are only used for this purpose and do not form any part of the selection process. If you would like to speak to someone about reasonable adjustments, please contact the HR Manager Equality, Inclusion and Legal on Tel: Equality Monitoring NIFRS is committed to equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants, regardless of gender, marital status, disability, age, religious affiliation, political opinion, ethnic origin, dependants or sexual orientation. NIFRS selects those suitable for employment and advancement solely on the basis of merit. In order to comply with legislative requirements, you must complete the Equality Monitoring Form. This also allows us to monitor the effectiveness of our policy of equal opportunities in employment and effectiveness of our recruitment advertising. Please note, this form is regarded as part of your application and failure to complete and return it will result in your application being rejected. Assessment & Interview Documentation All candidates invited to attend for assessment must bring along the required documentation to satisfy the eligibility criteria and documentation checks for the prevention of illegal working. Further details regarding acceptable documentation will be issued with invitations. Changes in Personal Circumstances Please ensure that you inform us immediately of any changes in personal circumstances. If you decide at any point during the recruitment process to withdraw your application, please inform us as soon as possible. Appeals Please note that candidates cannot appeal any stage of the selection process. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 18 of 19

19 APPLICATION FORM CHECKLIST Please use the checklist below to help ensure that you have completed your form in full and are ready to submit your application. Have you Read the Guidance Notes for Applicants on pages of this information pack? Read the Selection Process in section 7 of this information pack? Clearly demonstrated how you meet all criteria requirements? Provided full up-to-date details of 2 relevant referees? Provided full details on relevant qualifications, i.e. subjects, grades. Listed current/previous employment details since leaving education, including details of posts held, exact dates (dd/mm/yy), and a brief summary of main duties? Explained any gaps in employment and listed reasons for leaving previous employment? Read and signed/agreed to the Personal Declaration? Remember, failure to provide complete and accurate information may lead to a withdrawal of employment/offer of employment if this is subsequently discovered. Completed your Equality Monitoring Form? By gathering this information from all applicants it will help us continue to implement positive action programmes, to remove barriers to equality and promote concepts of diversity and equality of opportunity. The job description and person specification will help you prepare for the selection process. If you have any queries or would like further information, please refer to the Careers Section of the NIFRS website at or contact the HR Manager, Resourcing and Employee Services on We look forward to receiving your application. Issue Date: 15/06/15 Page 19 of 19