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We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

Overview of Role

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) is a key Arms-Length Body (ALB) of the Ministry of Justice which investigates:

• complaints made by prisoners, young people in detention offenders under probation supervision and individuals detained under immigration powers
• deaths of prisoners, young people in detention, residents in approved premises and detained individuals due to any cause
• deaths of recently released prisoners that occur within 14 days of release from prison (except homicide)

The Ombudsman receives around 4,500 new complaints a year, of which around half are assessed as eligible for investigation. The number of deaths in custody requiring investigation is generally between 300 and 350 per year.

As part of our complaint and death in custody investigations, investigators conduct face-to-face, telephone or video link interviews with prisoners, prison staff, healthcare staff and other relevant people. This transcriber role supports these investigations by listening to audio recordings of these interviews and transcribing the content into a written format, which forms part of the evidence for the investigation.

We are a small and friendly organisation of about 105 staff. You will be part of a team of three transcribers, reporting to the EO (Band D) Support Team Manager. You will be part of the PPO’s Research, Strategy and Corporate Services Team but will frequently contribute with our Complaints and Fatal Incident Teams.

This is a busy post that will suit someone who enjoys working within a small but high achieving team.

For this role, it is essential that you are able to accurately type more than 55 words per minute and that you have the ability to use a computer, including programs including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. It is desirable for you to have a word processing qualification, such as RSA 2, though this is not essential.

It is also desirable for you to have experience using transcription software and equipment, such as the Olympus Transcription Module that is used by the PPO’s current transcribers.

The PPO is based at the HM Government hub at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London. Currently, staff are expected to attend the office two days a week (based on full time hours), with the rest of the time spent working at home or in commuter hubs. You will usually have flexibility to decide which days of the week you work in the office to enable you to manage your office attendance around your personal circumstances. There will be occasions when you will be required to attend the office (for example, office or function-wide meetings).

If you are successful, you may need to attend the office more frequently, in your first six weeks, to undertake key training and induction activity.

The salary for this role is £24,250.

Job Description

The post holder will be responsible for the following:

• Accurately transcribing recorded interviews for our complaints and fatal incident investigations.
• Typing ad hoc investigation documents as required.
• Anonymising our final investigation reports and send to our investigators for checking.

While the post holder’s primary role will be transcribing our recorded interviews, you will be expected to be flexible and provide support in other areas if the needs of the business require it.

This role involves exposure to emotive and complex information, issues, and personal stories about some of the most vulnerable people in society. This includes offence information, trauma, substance misuse, mental ill-health, suicide and self-harm. While you will have access to various support systems, you will need to demonstrate emotional resilience in the role.

Essential requirements

• The ability to accurately audio type at more than 55 words per minute.
• The ability to use a computer, including programs including Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word.

Desirable requirements

• A word processing qualification.
• Experience using transcription software and equipment, such as the Olympus Transcription Module.

The Application and Interview Process

The PPO is a Disability Confident Committed Employer, and we ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible. Please complete the application information on reasonable adjustments and disabilities if relevant. Further information on the types of reasonable adjustment that can be provided can be found at https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

To pass the application stage, a candidate will need to score a minimum of two out of three on their statement of suitability. If we receive a high number of applicants who meet this score, we reserve the right to increase this minimum benchmark.

The CV will not be scored but will be used to give context to the statement of suitability.

If you pass the application stage, you will be invited to a short final interview. During the interview, you will be asked questions about the Civil Service Behaviours ‘Delivering at Pace’ and ‘Managing a Quality Service’, as well as strength-based questions relating to the role. You will also be required to complete a short, written test to demonstrate your ability to accurately audio type.

Recruitment across the Civil Service changed from July 2019 with the introduction of Success Profiles. Further guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles.

Delivering at Pace
Always work with focus and pace to get the job done on time and to a high standard. Follow the relevant policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job. Use own knowledge and expertise to organise work. Keep focused on delivery and take responsibility for the quality of work produced. Keep a consistent level of personal performance. Keep managers and stakeholders updated on how work is progressing.

Managing a Quality Service
Gain a clear understanding of customers’ needs and expectations. Plan, organise and manage your own time to deliver a high-quality service which gives taxpayers a good return for their money. Act to prevent problems by identifying issues, reporting them and providing solutions. Keep customers and all colleagues up to date with progress. Show customers where to access relevant information and support that will help them to use services more effectively

Salary

£24,250

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

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. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. 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.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

• A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
• Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

• To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm) or e mail [email protected]);
• To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ([email protected]);
• To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.