This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen. As part of the prison's catering team, you'll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities. You will oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison, and help them learn new skills to improve their employment prospects after release.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide offenders in food preparation and cooking in an industrial kitchen environment.
• Ensure meals are quality, nutritionally balanced and prepared to required standards.
• Support the development of offenders by facilitating learning and the achievement of qualifications.
• Work as part of a catering team within the expectations of the establishment and relevant regulations.

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)

Essential requirements

• Familiar with current health, safety and hygiene regulations for working in a kitchen
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Able to demonstrate team leadership experience
• Fluent in English; able to communicate clearly and influence others
• Understanding of delivering a quality service and working collaboratively

Working patterns and location

• 37-hour week with shifts that may include hours outside 7am–7pm, including weekends and public holidays
• 20% unsocial hours allowance where applicable
• Hybrid working arrangements may be available; discussed and agreed with the successful candidate
• Roles may be based at MoJ offices or related sites in the UK; arrangements discussed on offer

Salary, leave and benefits

• Band 4 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £39,930; Band 4 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance – £39,930
• Annual leave and bank/public holidays as described by policy; pro-rata for non-standard patterns
• Pension options with Civil Service schemes
• Flexible working where feasible, subject to business needs and probationary period

Other information

• Security and identity checks required; all external candidates undergo 6 months probation (internal candidates may have different terms)
• Applications should include qualifications in a single file if possible
• Disability and diversity considerations are supported throughout the recruitment process
• Notes on redeployment and veterans’ initiatives may apply where relevant