Overview

You’ll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. You’ll play your part in helping them turn their lives around by supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison. You will work a 37 hour week Monday to Friday, core day hours only. The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks. Some of MoJ\'s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on \'modernised\' terms in their current post or onto \'unmodernised\' MoJ terms if they are on \'unmodernised\' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS\' Flexible Working policy. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate\'s Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation and cooking of meals to ensure quality and nutritional standards for the prison population.
• Support offenders to learn new skills and work towards qualifications to increase employability after release.
• Work within health, safety and hygiene regulations in an industrial kitchen environment.
• Demonstrate leadership and guide teams to deliver a quality food service.

Qualifications

• Level 2 certificate in Food Production within Hospitality and Catering or equivalent
• Food Hygiene Certificate Level 2
• Food Hygiene Certificate Level 3 (intermediate level)
• Working towards a relevant vocational qualification at Level 3 or already hold formal qualifications in catering e.g. City and Guilds 7061/7062 or NVQ Level 3
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Able to demonstrate team leadership experience
• Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
• Refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three year intervals
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or Welsh where specified

Skills and Competencies

• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Leadership, Communicating and Influencing

Experience and Assessment

Experience will be assessed via CV or Work History, and may include technical questions and an application form. Word limit: 250. You must ensure that any evidence submitted is truthful and factually accurate. Plagiarism (including content generated by AI) will not be tolerated.

Other Requirements

• DBS Standard clearance
• Security and identity checks prior to taking up post; probation applies (6 months for external candidates)
• All applicants may be subject to redeployment schemes and Civil Service recruitment principles

Salary and Benefits

Salary minimum £33,275; Salary maximum £33,275. Annual leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. Leave entitlement is pro-rated for non-standard patterns and advised on appointment. Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) added to annual leave. Pension: Civil Service offers two pension schemes. Work life balance: flexible working arrangements where possible. Additional benefits include season ticket loans after two months\' service and childcare vouchers. Training and development opportunities are available, including Equality and Diversity and anti-bullying programmes. All staff receive security and diversity training and an induction program.

Eligibility and Diversity

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks. Civil Service recruitment principles apply, with disability support available and a guaranteed interview for some disabled candidates meeting minimum criteria. For more information on applying with a disability, visit our resources. Redeployment interview schemes are in place to support staff who are at risk of redundancy.