Vacancy Information
This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.
Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.
Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.
Division / Department - Specialist Crime
Grade - Surrey Police Band 1 / Sussex Police M3
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - See Advert
Working Hours - 36.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - Yes
Location - Surrey Police Headquarters, Guildford
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables' Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
The Role & Key Responsibilities
From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference.
It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.
Surrey and Sussex Police are looking for an experienced Strategic Leader to deliver Forensic Quality Standards across both Forces.
This is a new role in response to the introduction of statutory regulation as a result of the Forensic Science Regulator's Act 2021.
Surrey Police is the legal entity for joint accreditation activity; already holding accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020 and having successfully transitioned their accreditation to Version 1 of the Regulator's Statutory Code.
As the central point of knowledge and expertise for forensic regulation and quality standards, you will be responsible for the development and delivery of plans for full compliance with the FSR's Code across a range of policing business areas. You will chair force level boards and represent the Senior Accountable Individual (SAI) at a national level.
You will be the strategic point of contact for both Forces for all aspects of forensic quality standards and regulation. You will lead on communications between the Forensic Science Regulator’s office, PCCs, NPCC, UKAS, Forensic Capability Network and Chief Officers responding to national requests for information and updates.
The successful person will already have experience of the national landscape and bring with them a network of professional relationships that can be called upon to support Surrey and Sussex's compliance with regulation.
You will lead on managing the risks associated with achieving and maintaining accreditation and be able to put in place effective control measures and mitigation.
You will be responsible for leading the cultural change required to implement quality standards and achieve accreditation. You will be supported by a team of Quality Managers and Assurance Officers in delivering compliance and initially be part of the wider Forensic Investigations Senior Leadership Team as well as the wider senior management teams of both forces.
This is a unique opportunity to influence the direction of two collaborated forces as they face the emerging challenges of forensic regulation and as such, Surrey and Sussex are looking for a person with demonstrable evidence of delivering strategic, organisation wide plans relating to the FSR's Codes and wide ranging experience across policing.
It will be an extremely rewarding role for the right person. You will be provided the opportunity to influence change and input on strategic direction whilst on a path of continuous professional development. You will engage with a wide range of stakeholders, senior officers and staff, building strong working relationships and using your expertise to meet the priorities of Surrey and Sussex Police.
The contracted place of work is Surrey Police Headquarters with the opportunity for both flexible and agile working.
The salary range for this role is £58, 581 to £84, 093. The starting salary will be reflective of skills and experience.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience of delivering quality standards in accordance with the Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice at a strategic level
- Recent experience of senior leadership in a police related environment
- Recent experience of risk management and control within a complex organisation.
- An existing network of professional relationships an national engagement in the area of quality standards, forensic regulation and Forensic Investigations
- The ability to communicate effectively on complex technical matters, prepare reports, present and speak confidently at force wide and national meetings
- Demonstrate a high level of understanding of the impact of regulation on a wide range of business areas across the whole of policing including Physical Forensics, Digital Forensics, Collision Investigation, Intelligence, Operations Command, Public Protection, Estates and Facilities, Information Security, DDaT, Criminal Justice and Change Delivery.
- Be able to balance the sometimes conflicting priorities of regulation whilst delivering a victim focussed policing service
- Manage a team of Quality Managers and supporting staff ensuring high levels of performance through experienced leadership and previous senior management roles.
- Chair large meetings with a wide range of stakeholders. Represent the SAI when required. Attend national meetings and lead and engage with expert networks.
- Demonstrate the highest levels of professional standards, resilience and flexibility
Why Work With Us?
Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.
We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;
- career progression
- contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
- generous annual leave allowance
- discounts for everyday spend
- on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
- generous and supportive parental leave
- financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
- discounted contributory healthcare scheme
Please use the following links for more information on the benefits of working with Surrey Police or Sussex Police
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Further Information
The contact for this role is:
Louise Whiteoak, Head of Forensic Investigations
louise.whiteoak@sussex.police.uk
This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here
Attachments