Airwave National User Assurance Co-ordinator (NPCC/Home-Based Working)

Title of Role: Airwave National User Assurance Co-ordinator

Location of Role: Home Working, requirements to travel to and regular overnight

Advert Closing Date: Monday 24th March 2025

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Secondment or Fixed Term Contract for 24 Months with possibility of extension (this will be negotiated with the successful candidate upon appointment)

An exciting opportunity has arisen with the National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) for an experienced and dynamic individual to join our team for the above period as the Airwave National User Assurance Co-ordinator. This nationally significant role is critical to the ongoing service delivery of the Airwave network and the delivery of the Emergency Services Network (ESN). Please be advised that this advertisement is being hosted by Kent Police and remains an NPCC role.

The Airwave National User Assurance Co-ordinator will have current (or very recent) experience of working as a Police Superintendent (or equivalent) with significant operational and leadership credibility within the police service. They will need to be a subject matter expert with extensive, current, relevant operational policing experience at a senior leadership level with recent, substantial experience in the operational and tactical use of police radio communications including operational knowledge of how mobile communications support policing operations. The post holder will have a track record of delivering to exacting standards and timelines with significant experience of leading major projects or programmes, setting strategy, managing high levels of operational risk, and influencing national projects involving cross governmental working.

The post holder will need to demonstrate excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at a strategic level within policing and with senior Government representatives. They will have an understanding of the organisational structures, politics, and culture of the police and other emergency service organisations with an ability to operate in an unclear environment while maintaining personal and team resilience.

They will have a strong record of co-operation and teamwork, a positive approach to work and business change, experience of managing commercial relationships and knowledge of security management. An ability to influence at all levels, defusing conflict and enhancing the reputation of the police service is essential.

The role requires a high degree of professionalism, and the ability to negotiate and influence people from different disciplines and viewpoints. The key skills include managing risks outside the post holder’s control, building relationships, and delivering in complex environments. This is a nationally significant role, critical to the ongoing service delivery of the Airwave network and the delivery of ESN.

There will be a regular requirement to travel and stay overnight, not just in London but nationally, and a one week in 5 on call to manage major incidents with the Home Office and suppliers, for which on call and essential user allowances will be paid.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and manage the provision of national user assurance for Airwave, holding national portfolio responsibility for policing in England.
Provide expert advice and support to all forces nationally regarding their operational use of Airwave, ensuring the network remains fit for operational use.
Develop, lead, and manage an effective Airwave Police User Assurance team, including line management of national Police Liaison Inspectors.
Collaborate with the Home Office to ensure requirements and end-user needs are fully reflected through to Airwave shutdown.
Manage the operational risk of the Airwave network on behalf of the police service nationally, leading on security incidents, and reducing costs.
Maintain key relationships with the Home Office and national stakeholders, supporting the 43 forces and other national Airwave users.
Act as the deputy for the National Airwave senior user on behalf of the NPEC, serving as a member of the NPCC National ESN and Airwave Team (NEAT).
Chair the National Police Silver Airwave User Group to ensure effective governance and that discussions and decisions reflect the needs of the police user community.
Work closely with Airwave Services Limited (ASL) and the Home Office to manage the current network effectively for policing.
Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of Airwave until the ESN is delivered.
Maintain documentation, including accurate records of network performance, incidents, and resolutions, and prepare clear and concise reports for a wide variety of audiences.
Monitor the existing network performance and user activity continuously to identify and resolve issues promptly.

Additional Information:

Regular travel and overnight stays are required, not just in London but nationally.
One week in five on call to manage major incidents with the Home Office and suppliers, for which on call and essential user allowances will be paid in line with Force Policy.

We would encourage anyone considering applying to contact ACC Nottage 46009700 (07989 992328) or by email: mark.nottage@kent.pnn.police.uk, who will be happy to discuss the role and the training requirements and answer any questions that you may have.

If the successful individual is offered a fixed term contract for this position, they will be employed by Kent Police during the period of employment.

For the full job description please email Corporate Recruitment on Recruitment@kent.police.uk

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833.

Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

This post is open to:

British Citizens
Members of a European Economic Area (EEA) state who hold settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Commonwealth citizens or foreign nationals (who are not British citizens or European Economic Area (EEA) state members) who have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period that is free from restrictions.

All applicants (except those who have been serving abroad with the British Armed Forces) must have lived in the UK continuously for the past three years.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.