INFORMATION PACK FOR APPLICANTS INVESTIGATOR (FIXED TERM TO MARCH 2016) Salary grade: B2 25,417-30,570 p.a. CONTENTS 1. Advertisement Page 1 2. Background note on the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC) Page 2 3. Information for applicants Page 2 4. Job Description and person specification Page 7 1. ADVERTISEMENT INVESTIGATOR (FIXED TERM TO MARCH 2016) Salary grade B2 ( 25,417-30,570 p.a.) The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 ( the Act ) outlines the role and remit of the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC). One of the remits is to provide independent investigation into policing in Scotland, conducting investigations into criminal allegations made against the police, death or serious injury in police custody or following police contact, police use of firearms, complaints against senior officers and any relevant police matters where the Commissioner considers it would be in the public interest to do so. As an Investigator reporting to a Deputy Senior Investigator, you will be a member of a team carrying out independent investigations into the most significant incidents concerning the delivery of policing in Scotland. The successful candidate must have proven experience of evidence collection, analysis and presentation with well developed critical thinking skills, a capacity to conduct enquiries, obtain information and use sound judgement to reach conclusions. This experience may have been gained within organisations other than the police service. All these appointments are based in Hamilton and the successful candidates must undergo vetting and security clearance to Security Check (SC) level prior to appointment. The deadline for receipt of applications is 4pm on Monday 2 December 2013. Interviews will take place week commencing 9 December 2013. How to apply Complete and return the application form available from www.pirc.scotland.gov.uk/about/vacancies or alternatively request a copy by email jobs@pirc.gsi.gov.uk, phone 0808 178 5577 / 01698 542900 or in writing to: Director of Corporate Services, PIRC, Hamilton House, Hamilton Business Park, Caird Park, Hamilton ML3 0QA The PIRC is committed to equal opportunities and to encouraging a diverse range of staff appointees.
2 9 2. BACKGROUND NOTE ON THE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS & REVIEW COMMISSIONER (a) The organisation The Police Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006, as amended by the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012, sets out the functions of the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC). These are to review the manner in which policing bodies in Scotland deal with non criminal complaints, and also to conduct investigations into particular kinds of incident involving the police. The types of investigation which PIRC may carry out are specified in the 2006 Act, as amended. PIRC is a Non Departmental Public Body sponsored by the Scottish Government. The organisation consists of the Commissioner, John McNeill, who is supported by a Senior Management Team and a team of staff, based in Hamilton. The PIRC has a staffing level of around 42 full time employees and a budget level of circa 2.6M. (b) Stakeholders & Relationships The PIRC works closely with the Police Service of Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the Scottish Government. 3. INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS (a) Appointment timetable Stage Timescale Post advertised 13 November 2013 Closing date for applications 4 pm 2 December 2013 Shortlisting to select applicants for interview 6 December 2013 Latest date outcome of shortlist will be relayed to applicants 6 December 2013 Date of interviews Week commencing 9 December 2013 Latest date by which outcome of interviews will be relayed to applicants 16 December 2013 Date of appointment February 2014 (b) Application process In addition to this information pack you should have: an Application for Appointment form which includes an Equal Opportunities recruitment monitoring form Before competing and submitting your application form, you should give due consideration to the following: Skills, Knowledge and Experience required do you meet the skills, knowledge and experience requirements? If not, please give serious consideration as to whether you should proceed with applying for the post.
Competency based evidence are you familiar with what is being sought at the application stage and what will be sought at interview through the use of competency based questions and how you should evidence this? Please ensure that you complete all sections of the job application form and that you return it by the date specified. We will be unable to consider your application if all sections are not fully completed. Completion of the Equal Opportunities recruitment monitoring form is voluntary and completed forms will be separated from the application form and not made available to the selection panel members. Your application is very important as it is the key document which will determine whether or not you will proceed through the first assessment stage to interview and ultimately to appointment. You must therefore demonstrate clearly the evidence required in your application form on how you meet the relevant published skills, knowledge and experience shown in the person specification. Please read the person specification in conjunction with the Job Description and background note. Please do not substitute your Curriculum Vitae for a completed form since this will not be considered. A good application should be structured to ensure that it flows in a clear and/or logical way. You should provide evidence and examples to ensure that it is clear to the selection panel the actions you took, the reasons for your actions, what happened, what you took into account, and the outcome. You should not assume that the evidence provided is obvious when it comes to meeting the competency/criterion, for instance by simply recounting job titles or job duties. You should try and avoid bland and hypothetical statements and where possible/appropriate use the first person I not We. You should also be aware that on occasion, there may be several aspects to certain evidence of your skills, knowledge or experience being sought, so please ensure you provide evidence that shows how you meet all aspects. You can apply online or submit hardcopy. If your application is handwritten, please use black ink and ensure it is legible as your form will be photocopied/scanned and then read by the selection panel. We would advise you to keep a copy of your initial application for reference. (c) Referees You are required to include details of two referees to cover a 5 year period, if appropriate, on a separate sheet which forms part of the application form. One should be your current or most recent employer; the second is likely to be a previous employer. If you have not been in previous employment (or cannot provide a second employment reference) and have undertaken relevant further education, you can give the name of the academic staff best acquainted with your work and conduct. Please note we will request factual information from your employment referees such as dates employed, last position held, reason for leaving and details of work performance ratings, sickness absence records and disciplinary records (if any). Academic referees will be asked to provide details of your course work, result achieved or expected, and the referee s impression of your ability in relation to your course work and future career potential. Please do not send testimonials. If your application is successful, we will write to your referees, provided you have given permission to approach them. If you have not given permission, we will contact you before any referee is approached. By signing your application you are giving consent for us to obtain the information as outlined above. 3 9
(d) How to return your Application Your completed application form, including equal opportunities recruitment monitoring form, should be returned to: jobs@pirc.gsi.gov.uk. Alternatively, paper copies can be sent to the Director of Corporate Services, Police Investigations & Review Commissioner, Hamilton House, Caird Park, Hamilton, ML3 0QA, to arrive no later than the specified closing date. All online application forms will be acknowledged via email. If you return your application form by post and require confirmation of receipt, please enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope. Information given on the equal opportunities recruitment monitoring form will be treated in strictest confidence and will be retained for monitoring purposes. It will be kept separately from your application form and will not be made available to those involved in the selection decision. (e) Closing date The deadline for applications is 4 pm on 2 December 2013. Late applications will not be considered. (f) Selection panel The selection panel for this appointment comprises a Senior Investigator and a Deputy Senior Investigator. (g) Selection On receipt of your completed application, you will be assessed by the selection panel on the evidence provided within your application form to see whether you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience required for the position. The selection panel will use this assessment to determine whether you progress to the next assessment stage. If applicants are not been contacted by 16 December 2013 you must assume that on this occasion you have been unsuccessful. If invited to interview and you have a disability you should let us know if you would like particular arrangements made for you. Contact details will be provided in your invitation to interview letter. (h) Interview expenses Travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant. (i) What will happen at the interview At interview you will be expected to demonstrate to the selection panel how you meet all of the skills, knowledge and experience requirements for the role, as set out in the person specification. To this end, the panel will ask you a series of questions which will seek examples of how you have used your skills, knowledge and experience to meet the person specification for this role. The interview will consist of competency based questions which will test all of the criteria. You may also be required to give a presentation. If so, further details will be contained within the invitation to interview letter. During and after the interview the selection panel will record your evidence in relation to all of the published skills, knowledge and experience required for this role and will compile an overall summary of all the evidence gathered. This will include the evidence you provided within your application form. (j) What will happen following the interview All applicants invited to interview will be advised of the outcome of the appointments process in writing. 4 9
We will then proceed with the security clearance process, and appointment will be subject to the outcome of this. If you are successful you will be invited in writing to accept the conditional offer of appointment. We will then carry out enquiries into your right to work in the UK, health and other matters, to ensure that you are qualified for appointment. To enable these enquiries to be completed, we will need to see your original birth certificate and/or passport, as well as your educational certificates and you should bring these with you to the interview. When the enquiries are completed satisfactorily, we will then make you a formal unconditional offer of appointment. You will be expected to take up appointment as soon as possible. (k) Salary (pro rata for part-time) Starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the range. Future pay progression will be dependent upon performance. Salary is paid on the last working day of the month by credit transfer. (l) Pension and other benefits Unless you choose otherwise, pension benefits are provided under the Civil Service pension scheme arrangements, Nuvos. Members' contributions to this scheme are between 3.5% and 5.9% of pensionable earnings with the employer contributing between 16.7% and 24.3% depending on your salary. Pension benefits are earned each year based on pay in that year and are index linked. For more information please see the pension scheme fact sheet which can be accessed at www.civilservice pensions.gov.uk/scheme_information/nuvos.asp. (m) Hours The normal working week is a 5 day week of 37 hours, excluding unpaid lunch breaks. You may have the scope to participate in the PIRC s flexible working hours scheme. Consideration will be given to candidates interested in non standard working patterns. (n) Annual leave (pro rata for part-time or temporary positions) The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March. You will have an annual leave allowance of 25 days, rising to 30 days after 10 years. In addition, all staff receive 11½ days public and privilege holidays, 6 of which are on fixed dates. (o) Probation You will be required to serve a probationary period of six months and confirmation of your appointment is dependent on the satisfactory completion of this probation period. (p) Travelling and subsistence Subsistence allowances and travelling expenses on official business are paid. The cost of normal daily travel between home and office is not reimbursable. (q) Security The Police Investigations & Review Commissioner requires detailed security checks on all successful candidates. All staff are then required to undertake police level security vetting and a formal government Security Check before this appointment can be confirmed. (r) Retirement/pension age Employees may continue in employment beyond age 65, subject to satisfactory attendance, performance and conduct. There is a distinction between retirement age and pension age. The Civil Service pension age is 65 and staff are free, if they wish, to leave PIRC employment at, or above, age 65 with (if applicable) the immediate payment of benefits under the Civil Service Pensions arrangements. 5 9
(s) Health standard You will be asked to complete a health declaration and, if necessary, to attend a medical examination. (t) Sickness absence You may be allowed up to six months sickness absence on full pay, less any National Insurance benefit received, in any period of 12 months. After that, a further period may be granted at reduced pay, subject to a maximum of 12 months sick absence in any period of 4 years or less. (u) Outside activities You may not take part in any activity which would in any way impair your usefulness to the PIRC, or engage in any occupation (paid or unpaid) which may conflict with the interests of the Commissioner or be inconsistent with your official position. Subject to these conditions, work of a minor or shortterm nature (for example, vacation work or work after hours) is normally allowed, provided you seek the Commissioner s prior permission. (v) Disability We will interview applicants with a disability who satisfy the basic essential criteria for appointment. (w) PIRC diversity policy The PIRC is committed to increasing the diversity of staff within the organisation. We will develop all our staff, ignoring all irrelevant differences in their management and development. Furthermore we will positively value the different perspectives and skills of all staff and make full use of these in our work. (x) PIRC equal opportunities policy The PIRC is committed to equality of opportunity as an employer. All staff should be treated equally irrespective of their age, race, colour, ethnic or national origins, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, working pattern, employment status, gender identity (transgender) or caring responsibility. We recognise the value that a diverse workforce can bring to our organisation and seek to create an environment which maximises talents in order to meet the needs of the organisation. To assist us in ensuring our policy is effective we encourage candidates to complete the Equal Opportunities recruitment monitoring form. This form is a voluntary document and is used solely for the purpose of monitoring the effectiveness of our policy in the recruitment process. By completing it, you will help us assess if we are attracting applications which reflect the composition of the local community. There are prefer not to say options for some of the questions if you do not wish to provide this information. Please note that this document is provided for information only and does not form part of the Commissioner s conditions of employment. 6 9
7 9 4. JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION As Investigator you will be a member of a team carrying out independent investigations into the most significant incidents concerning the delivery of policing in Scotland as prescribed in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and associated Regulations for Investigation. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE Commissioner Director of Reviews Director of Investigations Director of Corporate Services Head of Reviews Head of Investigations Head of Communications Review Officers (x7) Senior Investigators (x3) Communications Officer Quality & Standards Officer Deputy Senior Investigators (x6) Investigators (x13) Trainee Investigators (x2) Policy, Performance & Research Officer Corporate Services Officer Finance Officer Admin Team Leader/PA to Commissioner Admin Officers (x3)
8 9 BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: NIL PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES To conduct allocated investigations in respect of matters prescribed in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 and associated Regulations for Investigation, or be part of a team supporting investigations as directed To conduct thorough and efficient enquiries into all investigations to which you are deployed To carry out all investigations in accordance with agreed standard operating procedures, protocols and guidelines To take witness statements, conduct interviews and prepare reports for the Commissioner and Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service as required To attend court, misconduct or other hearings for the purpose of giving evidence To visit incident scenes and assist with scene management, ensuring that all necessary action is taken to preserve and recover evidence where appropriate on the instruction of the Senior Investigator To contribute to the provision of a 24 hour on call facility and be prepared to work unsocial and extended hours To maintain accurate records of enquiries and investigations for audit purposes To ensure that all productions relating to enquiries are seized, recorded and lodged in accordance with procedures To identify opportunities for improving performance or processes To provide regular progress updates to line managers on allocated tasks To carry out intelligence gathering and any other relevant duties appropriate to the grade as may be required, including the participation in the interchange of duties within PIRC investigations To liaise with police and other agency personnel as required To carry out all other duties as instructed by line managers or as dictated by circumstances To prepare thoroughly and dispatch within specified time frames, to the appropriate recipient, all reports and correspondence, ensuring the highest possible standards are achieved at all times To participate in the PIRC career development and Performance Review process To actively pursue meaningful and harmonious working relations with colleagues and other agencies personnel ensuring a positive team spirit ADDITIONAL INFORMATION a) The standard working hours are 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday a) The post holder will be required to contribute to the provision of a 24 hour on call facility and be prepared to work unsocial and extended hours where required b) Substantial travel may be involved throughout Scotland with some overnight stays away from home depending on the demands of the role
c) The postholder must undergo vetting and security clearance to Security Checked (SC) level prior to appointment d) The successful candidate will be expected to reside within commuting distance of Hamilton e) The successful candidate should expect to be appointed at the bottom of the pay range 9 9 PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications Good general education minimum of two H Levels or equivalent relevant professional qualification/ experience with evidence of continuous professional development Experience Proven experience in evidence collection, analysis and presentation Proven experience of working effectively in a team environment Proven experience of working with internal and external parties to complete tasks successfully Essential Desirable Proven experience of scene management/ assessment Skills & Knowledge Well developed critical thinking skills, a capacity to conduct enquiries, obtain information and to use sound judgement to reach conclusions Ability to communicate fluently, clearly and concisely both orally and in writing Proven investigative ability Excellent analytical skills, sound judgement in decision making and self confidence Good knowledge and understanding of the Scottish criminal justice system An awareness of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 A knowledge of Major Incident Room Standard Administration Procedures (MIRSAP) and Home Office Large Major Enquiry System (HOLMES) A knowledge of one or more of: Crime Scene Management, Family Liaison, Road Accident Investigation, Firearms Advisor, Interview Advisor, Intelligence Advisor Other Full driving licence