Job descriptionDo you have the experience to drive forward organisational transformation while overseeing the implementation of revised inspection and monitoring standards?' His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland (HMIPS) is an independent body responsible for the inspection and monitoring of Scotland's 17 prisons and 48 Court Custody Units, in order to establish the treatment of and the conditions for prisoners and to report publicly on the findings, and the inspection of the conditions in which prisoners are transported or held in pursuance of prisoner escort arrangements.
As deputy, you will be responsible for both the day-to-day management and the future development of HMIPS. You will lead and manage five members of the senior staff team and ensure efficiency of delivery. As deputy to HMCIPS you will translate her vision into strategic and operational deliverables.
ResponsibilitiesResponsible for the efficient and effective day to day running of the Inspectorate. Including providing effective and creative leadership and strategic direction, and leading continuous improvement and organisational productivity.
Ensure that prison and court custody inspections, and independent prison monitoring are carried out in accordance with appropriate standards and completed within the agreed timescales. You will also be member of the prison inspection team.
Lead and manage members of the senior staff team including the Lead Inspector for Prisons, and the team of Prison Monitoring Co-ordinators, who have line management responsibility for around 120 volunteer Independent Prison Monitors.
Represent the Inspectorate and be responsible for senior engagement with key external contacts including the Scottish Prison Service, other prison services, offender related agencies, Inspectorates and Criminal Justice Agencies to ensure HMIPS is kept up to date with operational and other issues that may impact on the work of the Inspectorate.
Success profileSuccess profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Experience- Awareness of the criminal justice system in Scotland, particularly places of detention.
- Experience of inspection, monitoring, scrutiny or oversight activities
Behaviours
- Leadership - Level 4
- Communicating and Influencing - Level 4
- Managing a Quality Service - Level 4
- Working Together - Level 4
You can find out more about
Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours (publishing.service.gov.uk)How to applyApply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and (insert assessment type). Assessments are scheduled for w/c (insert date) however this may be subject to change.
About usThe Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.Our staff are part of the
UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about
what we offer.As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the
Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working patternOur standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Security checksSuccessful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).You can find out more about BPSS on the
UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our
Candidate Guide.
Equality statementWe are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to
diversity and how we offer and support
recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further informationFind out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our
Careers Website.Read our
Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
