West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime. Information for applicants for the role of Deputy Chief Finance Officer

Transcription

1 West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime Information for applicants for the role of Deputy Chief Finance Officer 1

2 Contents 1. Welcome 2. About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police 3. The role of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner 4. Strategic priorities 5. Job description 6. Appointment and selection process 7. Benefits and conditions 2

3 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Closing date for applications: noon Monday 16 June 2014 Dear Applicant Welcome Thank you for your interest in the role of Deputy Chief Finance Officer (DCFO) for West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime. You will be the Deputy Chief Finance Officer assisting and deputising for the Chief Finance Officer who is the financial adviser to the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Bob Jones and myself as his Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer. Our work is varied, hence our requirement for a skilled and experienced accountant comfortable with all the strategic financial issues associated with a complex public sector organisation. I hope you find this information pack, which includes the job description, helpful in understanding the nature of the role we are looking to fill. You will work with senior people in West Midlands Police, local authorities and other stakeholders such as the Home Office. As a key member of the team you will be equally comfortable dealing with all issues as well as being available to advise the team on day-to-day issues. You will know that policing is a 24/7 service and as such we will need you to be flexible in providing the support we need. The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has the challenging role of ensuring that the 2.74 million people of the West Midlands are served by an efficient and effective police service. The Force is the largest provincial force in the country with a budget in excess of 600m and around 7,700 police officers and 3,800 police staff headed by the Chief Constable, Chris Sims. Please do contact Mike Williams or myself on should you wish to discuss the post further. I look forward to receiving your application. Kind regards Jacky Courtney Chief Executive 3

4 2. About the West Midlands and West Midlands Police West Midlands Police is the second largest police force in the country after London s Metropolitan Police Service. It covers an area of 384 square miles and serves a population of 2.74 million (over 1 million households). The region sits at the very heart of the country and covers the three major cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It also includes the busy and thriving districts of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull and Dudley. The majority of the area is densely populated but there are some rural areas. The region s economy has diversified from its historic heavy industry roots of the Industrial Revolution. With the decline in traditional manufacturing, both the public and private sectors have rejuvenated the area. Birmingham now has a commercial and shopping area that is among the largest in Europe. This is complemented by a wide range of social amenities such as the National Exhibition Centre, National Indoor Arena, the International Convention Centre, theatres, galleries and many large conference facilities. The area boasts a thriving nightlife, centred around Birmingham City Centre. West Midlands hosts a number of Premiership and Championship football clubs together with many others in the other leagues. The region is well served by rail and road links. Road and rail travel is supplemented by significant air traffic through Birmingham International and Coventry airports. The area is proud of its academic institutions, being home to a number of universities located in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton. The population of the West Midlands is diverse. At approximately 18%, the percentage of the population that are black and minority ethnic is significantly above the national average. Approximately 10% of the population were born outside of the UK. The average earnings and house prices for the region are lower than the national average. There are seven local authorities within the area; Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton. Since taking up his office in November 2012, the Commissioner has worked with each of the statutory crime and disorder reduction partnership/community safety partnership to establish community lead local policing and crime boards to ensure that policing priorities are determined more effectively at a local level. The area is also served by three Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Staffordshire and West Midlands Probation Trust and a number of NHS structures, adding complexity to the partnership landscape. West Midlands Police is one of the best performing metropolitan police forces in the country. Significant and sustained reductions across volume crime have been achieved. At the same time, through headquarter departments and formal collaborative arrangements with other forces and law enforcement agencies, resources and expertise have been focused on a range of inter and crossforce activities. Local policing is delivered through ten local policing units (LPUs). Other than Birmingham, which because of its size has four LPUs, the other six LPUs are coterminous with local authority boundaries. Each LPU is headed by a Chief Superintendent. The work of the local LPUs is supported by a number of specialist central and support departments. West Midlands Police has a reputation for continuous improvement, innovation and empowering leadership with a talent to continuously evolve and meet changing needs. The Force aims to deliver policing that is accessible and responds to the needs of local people. Neighbourhood policing provides a named team of local officers who can influence the policing priorities within their neighbourhood. They work with colleagues and partner agencies to address the concerns of their communities. 4

5 In the summer of 2013 the Commissioner commenced an EU procurement process to enter into a ground breaking innovation and integration partnership. This process is nearing completion. The commercial partner will hopefully be appointed this summer and will work with WMOPC and West Midlands Police to develop a target operating model to enhance the delivery of services for those that live and work in the West Midlands underpinned by technological improvements. This will provide unique experience for the successful candidate. Further information about West Midlands Police can be found on the Force website at 5

6 3. Role of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner There are 41 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales covering each of the 41 forces outside of London. The governance of the Metropolitan Police Service is a duty of the Mayor of London and the City of London Corporation governs the City of London Police. Together with the Home Secretary and chief police officers, police and crime commissioners are responsible for policing in England and Wales. Bob Jones was elected as the first West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner in November He is supported in this role by his Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Cllr Yvonne Mosquito. The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner is the local governing body for policing in the West Midlands. The Commissioner has an over-arching duty to secure an effective and efficient police force. The Commissioner has a number of statutory roles, which include: representing all those who live and work in the communities in their force area and identifying their policing needs setting priorities that meet those needs by agreeing a police and crime plan holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving the Commissioner s priorities as efficiently and effectively as possible setting the force budget and setting the precept hiring and, if necessary, dismissing the Chief Constable To fulfill these roles, the Commissioner has a range of powers and responsibilities. The Commissioner: must produce a police and crime plan must set the policing "precept", which is the part of local council tax that goes to policing appoints and, if necessary, dismisses the Chief Constable makes Crime and Disorder Reduction Grants has oversight of how complaints against the police are managed must keep under review opportunities for collaboration has duties relating to national criminal threats, safeguarding of children, and consulting the public has a role in ensuring the effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system To assist him meet his statutory responsibilities the Commissioner has established a Strategic Policing and Crime Board. As well as assisting in holding the Chief Constable to account the Board provides strong links with the diverse communities across the West Midlands. The Board meets monthly in public and its agendas, minutes and reports can be found on the Commissioner s website together with its terms of reference. In addition the Commissioner and Chief Constable are supported through a Joint Audit Committee. This 6

7 Committee comprises the four non-executive members from the Strategic Board together with an independent Chair, Susan Davis. The membership of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board is: Bob Jones, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Yvonne Mosquito, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Faye Abbott, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Judy Foster, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Cllr Mohammed Nazir, Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Brendan Conner, Non-Executive Board Member Cath Hannon, Non-Executive Board Member Ernie Hendricks, Non-Executive Board Member Cllr Tim Sawdon, Non-Executive Board Member The Commissioner has also worked with partners in the seven local authority areas to take forward his manifesto commitment to develop local policing and crime boards. These boards comprise partners from the bodies that make up the statutory community safety partnerships/crime and disorder reduction partnerships together lay members, one of whom chairs the local board. The Commissioner has asked these boards to develop local policing and crime plans which are used to underpin the Commissioner s West Midlands wide police and crime plan. Information about these local boards can be found on the seven constituent local authority websites. The Commissioner has a duty to consult with all those that live and work in the West Midlands and undertakes an extensive range of consultation activities. To assist him in this aspect of his work the Commissioner has developed a Youth Commission comprising two youth commissioners from each of the seven local authority areas. The Commissioner is also working to establish a Victims Commission to help him meet his statutory responsibilities in respect of victims of crime. These structures are supplemented by a Women s Forum supported by the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. The Commissioner is supported in his work by an executive team headed by the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, Jacky Courtney. The team also has the Commissioner s Chief Finance Officer, Mike Williams together with a policy and administrative team The Commissioner is supported and scrutinised by a separate Police and Crime Panel. The Panel is made up of twelve councillors from across the West Midlands and two independent members. Information on the work of the Panel can be found at The Panel is set up under the provisions of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act Further information on the work of the Commissioner and the statutory framework in which the Commissioner works can be found on the Commissioner s website. 7

8 4. Strategic priorities Under section 5 of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 the Commissioner is required to issue a police and crime plan (the Plan). The Plan covers the period until March 2017 and sets the Commissioner s police and crime objectives. A copy of the Plan can be found on the Commissioner s website The Plan has been built to take account of the: Commissioner s manifesto commitments assessment of the Chief Constable of the priorities for West Midlands Police strategic assessments carried out by each of the seven community safety partnerships within the West Midlands Home Secretary s Strategic Policing Requirement which sets out the national requirements to which both the Chief Constable and Commissioner must have regard medium term financial prospects for revenue and capital funding for West Midlands Police (further details on the Commissioner s finance can be found on the Commissioner s website) views of local people, including victims of crime The Plan sets out the Commissioner s objectives across his term of office which ends in May The Commissioner reviews his Plan on an annual basis. The Commissioner has identified the following as his key areas for focus: improving public confidence in policing creating stronger partnerships developing greater local identity across the West Midlands demonstrating West Midlands Police s commitment to social responsibility delivering better value for money reducing crime and offending better protecting people from harm improving the service the public receive from the police supporting stronger communities ensuring a more effective contribution to national policing 8

9 5. Deputy Chief Finance Officer West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime Post Title Deputy Chief Finance Officer Post No Grade Management Band 5 Purpose To be the designated Deputy Chief Finance Officer to the Commissioner in accordance with Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972 and other relevant legislation, and to manage the Finance, Commissioning and Performance Functions in the West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime (WMOPC) Main duties and responsibilities 1. To be the designated Deputy Section 151 Officer. 2. To manage the Finance, Commissioning and Performance functions 3. To assist the CFO in developing and maintaining the Commissioner s financial strategy and reserves policy 3. In consultation with Force Finance staff, to develop the Annual Revenue Budget and Multi Year Capital Programme 4. To oversee the work of Internal Audit and line manage the Chief Internal Auditor 5. To ensure that the Commissioner s resource allocations are aligned with the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan 6. To manage the WMOPC budget 7. To be responsible for the allocation of funding to Local Policing and Crime Boards and other partners and stakeholders and to hold those to account 8. In consultation with Force Finance staff to oversee the production of the consolidated accounts 9. To keep the Commissioner s Risk Management Strategy under review and maintain the Commissioner s Risk Register 10. To support the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and the Strategic Policing and Crime Board in holding the Chief Constable to account and scrutinising Force performance 11. In consultation with Force Personnel, to keep the Commissioner s Estates Strategy under review 12. To ensure that Force procurement is undertaken in accordance with the approved procurement strategy and policies 13. Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post grading that may be required from time to time, including assisting with other duties within West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime (WMOPC) as and when required Qualifications / Experience The post holder must be a professionally qualified accountant, preferably CIPFA, with at least five years post qualification experience in a large public authority Experience of managing staff is essential 9

10 Knowledge An understanding of the respective roles and responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable as separate Corporations Sole An understanding of the statutory role and duties of the Section 151 Officer Understanding of the requirements of working in partnership with other agencies, including work with the private sector Skills and abilities Evidence of effective communication and presentation skills Ability to prioritise and manage workloads to meet milestones, targets and statutory deadlines Well developed performance management skills Must be able to demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative Must have experience in MS Office software, together with reasonable keyboard skills Demonstrable personal commitment to prioritising equality and diversity Supervisory responsibility The post holder is responsible for the management of the finance, commissioning and performance functions Supervision received The post holder receives guidance and instruction from the Chief Finance Officer and will be expected to work closely with the Chief Executive Contacts The post holder will have regular contact with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, members of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board and the Force Director of Resources and Force Finance staff, and as required, with the Chief Constable and senior Force personnel plus senior staff in local authorities and other public bodies Working Base The work base will be the Commissioner s offices in Lloyd House, Birmingham but the post holder may be required to work from any of the Commissioner s places of employment. 10

11 6. APPOINTMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS In line with the West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime s Police policies, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability, as detailed in the application form. No applications will be accepted after the closing date. The recruitment process will be as follows: Closing date for applications noon Monday 16 June Completed application forms can be ed to j.tayler@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk or posted to Jo Tayler, West Midlands Office for Policing and Crime, Lloyd House, Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NQ. Notification to candidates of selection for first interview will be following shortlisting will be completed by Thursday 20 June Applicants will be asked to complete some additional forms providing financial, security and medical information to meet the requirements of WMOPC s vetting policy. First interview Wednesday 25 June The first interview panel will comprise Mike Williams, Chief Finance Officer, WMOPC, David Wilkin, West Midlands Police Director of resources and Jacky Courtney, Chief Executive or Andrea Gabbitas, WMOPC Second interview Monday 7 July The second interview panel will comprise Bob Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner, Mike Williams and Jacky Courtney or Andrea Gabbitas. The second interview may include a presentation. 11

12 Benefits and conditions WMOPC has a wide range of policies to support a positive, productive, fair and safe working environment. Copies of all of these policies can be found on our website WMOPC is independent of West Midlands Police but as it is a small organisation and co-located with the force it does share and make use of Force resources. Therefore a number of the checks that are carried out on police staff and police officers prior to appointment are also required of WMOPC staff, including vetting of applicants. Hours and salary The standard working week is 36.5 hours. Holiday The post holder will have 28 days leave rising to 33 days after 5 years service. In addition staff receive a further 8 days leave through Bank Holidays. Pension The post holder will be entitled to join the contributory Local Government Superannuation Scheme that provides a number of benefits including: a generous retirement gratuity and index linked pension after you reach the age of 65 enhanced pension and lump sum if you have to retire on the grounds of ill-health financial support, subject to eligibility criteria, for surviving dependents Relocation New staff moving into the area may be entitled to take advantage of the WMOPC s relocation scheme. This provides up to 3,000 to cover relocation costs, removal expenses and financial assistance for visits needed to find a new home. Smoking at work WMOPC is committed to provide a healthy, smoke free working environment for all staff. To this end a policy is in operation prohibiting smoking in all offices and other areas of WMOPC and West Midlands Police premises. Training WMOPC is committed to training and developing staff. Subject to certain criteria, WMOPC will provide assistance for staff to study for relevant job qualifications. Professional fees Employees who are professionally qualified and belong to approved, job related institutes will have their subscriptions paid by WMOPC. 12

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