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 Level 3 / Sussex Police M3
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Fixed Term Contract
Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £63,658 - £90,761 / Sussex Police £62,253 - £73,698
Working Hours -
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - Yes
Location - Forcewide

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.

Specialist Crime Command are looking to recruit into the role of Head of Strategic Forensic Services.

This is a significant leadership role within the Forensic Investigations Senior Leadership Team with responsibility across Surrey and Sussex.

The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate extensive senior leadership experience and relevant knowledge of the wider business of Physical and Digital Forensic Investigations delivery, with an evidenced understanding of the challenges at a strategic level. Experience of leading on and delivering a range of forensic services including budget management, procurement, contract management, policy, criminal justice priorities and change is required.

There remains a sharp focus on quality standards and the ongoing statutory requirements to be accredited. This role involves direct liaison with UKAS, the Forensic Science Regulator and national boards supporting this work. The role requires developed leadership skills, a highly professional approach and the ability to represent Forensic Investigations at both a force and national level. The successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate this during the selection process.

Whilst this is a functional role focusing on the strategic delivery of forensic services, the leadership team works as a small team and the successful candidate will need to be able to develop their knowledge to support the operational delivery of physical and digital forensics.

Please note that a Transformation Programme is being embarked upon in the Forensic Investigations department and is the reason this opportunity is provided as a two year fixed term contract for an externally recruited candidate or as a secondment for an internal candidate. The permanency of this position will be a consideration within the Transformation Programme.

Skills & Experience

• Be educated to degree level or have substantial recent evidence of competent performance in a directly relevant role
• Exceptional senior leadership skills and qualities. The post holder must have demonstrable experience of leading through organisational change and give evidence of their own personal resilience.
• Change management experience, including experience of project development and implementation.
• Experience of managing strategic forensic services and demonstrable knowledge and experience of the application of forensic regulation, quality standards, legislation and compliance.
• Experience of briefing Senior and Chief Officers on complex forensic matters, demonstrating exceptional communication skills.
• Be able to demonstrate continuous professional development at a personal and professional level.
• Experience of influencing internal and external stakeholders (including senior managers, external service suppliers, other public sector organisations and members of the public) demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Evidence of delivering excellent public service, contributing towards the overall aims and values of the organisation.
• The post holder must have experience of leading teams who work in difficult and traumatic environments and be able to provide the appropriate level of support using available processes and policies.
• The ability to travel regularly to locations within and beyond the counties of Surrey and Sussex, visiting staff and attending meetings.

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. 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 some 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

Further Information

For further information please contact:

Carwyn Hughes - Head of Forensic Investigations Carwyn.hughes@sussex.police.uk

or

Natalie Belamon - Head of Operational Forensic Services Natalie.belamon@sussex.police.uk

This is a politically restricted position, to view the Political Restrictions Policy for Police Staff click here

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's 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 the 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 Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

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

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly.  You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes.  Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference.  This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.

Attachments

• Head of Strategic Forensic Services M3.pdf