Public Protection Manager

Full Vacancy Description

Job Title:                                Public Protection Manager

Regulatory Services

Main Purpose of the Job/Key Objectives:

To manage and develop all functions within the Public Protection Service in accordance with statutory requirements and in keeping with Directorate/Council policies and objectives.

Act as the Council’s lead Officer on Public Protection matters

Exercise Proper Officer functions assigned to the post

Job Context:

1.         The postholder reports to: Head of Housing & Public Protection

2.         The postholder has line management responsibility for delivering the Council’s environmental health, licensing and trading standards functions.  The postholder has 5 direct reports (Trading Standards Manager, Food Safety Manager, Licensing and Health & Safety Manager, Environmental Protection & Housing Divisional Manager and Office Manager). The postholder is responsible for 51 staff.

3.         The postholder will occasionally be required to work outside ‘normal’ office hours

Experience

1.         A high level of achievement in the leadership and management of staff and other resources

2.         Experience of delivering projects from inception to completion including development, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and review

3.         Experience of developing and getting agreement to a work programme

4.         Experience of operational, legal (including court work) and technical issues and policies relevant to appropriate area(s) of work

5.         Experience of working with external agencies and the private sector

6.         Experience of Customer Care Practice and contact with the general public

7.         Experience of the use of ICT, the MS Windows operating system, MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

8.         Experience of the use of MS Access

9.         Experience of financial planning and budgetary control

10.       Experience of writing reports, correspondence, briefing notes giving operational, technical, policy or strategic information

11.       Experience of reporting to committees, forums, strategic groups and formal and informal meetings

12.       Experience of business planning and performance management processes

13.       Experience in the implementation and maintenance of Best Value, Charter Mark or other quality management system

14.       Experience in working to the Investors in People Award standards

15.       Experience in cross-authority working

16.       Experience in customer care initiatives including community based consultation, focus groups and other means of customer engagement

17.       Experience in operating at both day to day and strategic management levels

18.       Experience of managing change

19.       Experience in business management

Qualifications

1.         A degree or relevant academic or professional qualification

2.         Membership of a relevant professional organisation

3.         A qualification in business management

4.         A current full driving licence

Working conditions/circumstances

1.         Ability to adapt working hours to meet job requirements e.g. evening Committee meetings in different locations

2.         Evening and weekend call-out availability

3.         Access to a car or similar on a daily basis

4.         To demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy in both service delivery to the community, in relationships with colleagues, and in employment practices

Key Accountabilities and Result Areas:

Key Result Area Manage, assess and review the operation, functions and policies of the Public Protection Service through the effective planning and co-ordination of staff, financial and other available resources, having regard to Government, Council, Directorate and other drivers. Effective and efficient Public Protection Service

As Public Protection Manager, be the Council’s Lead Officer and advisor on all Environmental Health & Trading Standards matters and exercise the Proper Officer functions and delegated powers assigned to the post in accordance with the Council’s constitution. Council’s Environmental health and trading standards legal responsibilities fulfilled

To be the Council’s Lead Officer and advisor on the protection of the public health of the community in partnership with the local NHS, the Health Protection Agency and other appropriate bodies. Public health of the community protected

Formulate and deliver statutory annual service plans in accordance with government policy on behalf of the Council (e.g. Food Service Plan, Health & Safety Service Plan)Statutory annual service plans (e.g. Food Service Plan, Health & Safety Service Plan) formulated and delivered

To be Lead Officer for the Council’s licensing and registration functions with respect to such matters as are listed in Appendices C, D, and E & F to Part 3:5 of the Council’s Constitution Council’s licensing and registration functions delivered in accordance with the Council’s constitution

Formulate and deliver the Council’s Contaminated Land Strategy in accordance with government policies and guidelines. Fit for purpose Contaminated Land Strategy

Assess and review air quality within the borough in accordance with government policies and guidelines and lead on the improvement in air quality in Air Quality Management Areas  Air quality in the borough is within government guidelines

Assess and review ambient noise within the borough in accordance with government policies and guidelines and lead on the improvement in ambient noise to meet government criteria.  Ambient noise in the borough is within government guidelines

To be the Public Protection lead following an emergency or major incident, in liaison with medical, scientific and other specialist advisors. Public health of the community protected during emergency or major incidents

To be the Council’s Lead Officer for the purposes of the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) at Area and Regional levels and representing London at National level in order to maximise the opportunities for more effective joined-up enforcement  More effective enforcement through multi-agency initiatives and intelligence sharing

Authorising Officer for the purposes of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000            Directed surveillance approved in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Single Point of Contact for the purposes of gaining information from Communications Service Providers within the terms of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 Information of communications data gained in accordance with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

Formulate and monitor policies to satisfy Council, Directorate and statutory obligations including the preparation of yearly business plans. Council, Directorate and statutory obligations met through the adoption and monitoring of appropriate policies

Achieve agreed performance criteria as set down by Government, Council, Directorate and the Head of Service and in accordance with service improvement requirements. Agreed performance criteria met

Maintain technical, legal and operational knowledge of Public Protection and other associated areas of work in line with business requirements.            Appropriate knowledge of Public Protection functions maintained

Ensure that customer service strategies are put into practice in accordance with Council and departmental policies. Appropriate customer service strategies in place to meet Council and departmental policies

Remain aware of the especially sensitive nature of the services provided so as to respond swiftly and effectively to allay incidents that could have the potential for adverse publicity and be detrimental to the Council Reputation of the Council safeguarded

Ensure that Members, Senior Management and involved parties are kept fully informed of sensitive, political, controversial or policy issues  Members, Senior Management and involved parties are kept fully informed of sensitive, political, controversial or policy issues

Communicate and liaise with external and internal bodies to ensure effective policy formulation and to achieve mutually agreed objectives mutually agreed objectives with stakeholders achieved

Maintain close links and promote collaboration/partnership working with relevant parties in line with corporate and government policy e.g. Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry, home authority/code of practice partners, central government, other Local Authorities etc. Close links and collaboration/partnership working with relevant parties in line with corporate and government policies

Ensure maximum customer care provision in accordance with Customer Service Codes. Excellent customer care provision in accordance with Customer Service Codes

Review and assist in the development of ICT with internal and external providers to improve management information and the maintenance of departmental and statistical data. Effective and efficient ICT to deliver management information

Act as the Complaint Officer for the Public Protection Service in relation to the Council’s policy on complaints about service delivery and Ombudsman matters. Complaints against the Service responded to within corporate requirements

Participate effectively as a member of the Housing & Public Protection Management Team and Boards. Active and full participation in Housing & Public Protection Management Team and Boards

Assist the Head of Service and Group Director to formulate cross-service and directorate working to achieve both business plan and corporate objectives. Business plan and corporate objectives met through cross-service and directorate working

Ensure continuous service delivery improvement and identification of new opportunities to achieve effectiveness and best value Effective and efficient service delivery

Employ a high level of innovation in responding to situations which may have extensive policy or service implications Innovative solutions to situations

Promote and ensure effective project management and team working. Effective project management and team working

Monitor performance, evaluate criteria and report measurement. Performance, evaluate criteria and report measurement monitored

Undertake specialist cross-directorate policy issues or strategic tasks at the instigation of the Head of Housing & Public Protection. Specialist cross-directorate policy issues or strategic tasks undertaken

Represent Group Directors and the Head of Service at meetings of Council committees, officer working groups and with relevant meetings of outside bodies Group Directors and Head of Service represented at relevant meetings

Ensure completion of annual statistical information and other relevant returns/questionnaires on behalf of the Council. Statistical information and other relevant returns/questionnaires completed in a timely manner

Lead by example and influence  

Be responsible for the effective recruitment and selection and management of staff in accordance with the Council’s human resources policies and procedures. Staff recruited in accordance with the Council’s human resources policies and procedures

Manage financial resources of the Service in accordance with Councils Financial Framework.      Financial resources managed in accordance with Councils Financial Framework

Carry out responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (and associated Regulations) and promote a safety culture with particular regard to Council health & safety policies and procedures. Safe working environment and practices for Public Protection staff in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

Competency Profile

Competency Level 

Communicating openly and effectively

Uses communication and influencing skills to progress complex situations and achieve significant impact

Able to effectively present to & influence large groups of people

Translates strategy into effective operational messages, easily understood at all levels

Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of organisational politics and uses this effectively

Creates and implements appropriate communication strategies to support complex projects

Ensures communication effectiveness throughout the business is continuously reviewed

Delivering excellent customer service    

Takes a leading role in organisational development and the continuous improvement of services for the benefit of customers

Identifies good practice & solutions and integrates into service provision

Translates customer and stakeholder feedback into strategic improvements

Forms strategic groups and partnerships to develop and improve services

Actively seeks out and recognises opportunities for developing new customer bases

Managing Personal and Organisational Change        

Creates and articulates a vision that generates enthusiasm and commitment

Uses intuition as well as complex analysis to create a new concept or approach.

Encourages others to create strategies, visions and innovative services and emphases solutions that support strategic objectives

Ensures that the external environment and Government policies are taken into account when determining strategic direction

Demonstrates sensitivity in understanding the impact of change on others

Empowering Leadership   

Inspires, encourages and supports others

Understands broad political, economic and legislative trends, predicting what effect they will have on the organisation

Looks ahead where the organisation needs to be in the long term, linked to the vision

Compares performance with other organisations to set organisational goals

Is aware of their own leadership style and adapts to bring best out in others.

CompetencyLevel 

Achieving Results and Success  

Able to identify need and put a strategy/business case forward in response to changing needs of the organisation

Understands and considers the impact of external influences

Ensures work processes and projects are well targeted, resourced and managed to deliver strategic aims 

Identifies and manages risk, taking appropriate steps in order to identify new and better ways of improving strategic performance

Works with managers, staff, partners and stakeholders to develop new initiatives that contribute to the development and performance of the organisation

Planning and Implementing         

Anticipates and makes plans to deliver the Corporate Strategy

Incorporates strategic and/or longer term issues in plans

Manages projects, identifies and negotiates relevant resources

Communicates the plans to appropriate staff/stakeholders

Puts in place contingency plans to cope with potential problems

Considers budgets when planning projects

Respecting Others

Develops a culture of Equality and Diversity

Empowers people to achieve best practice in this area

Adapts to different audiences

Demonstrates integrity and consistency in decision making

Ensures team members value diversity

Demonstrates clear and consistent leadership in promoting equality and diversity

Ensures full access to services for all

Responds efficiently and appropriately where there is evidence of unfairness

Respects confidentiality wherever appropriate

Challenges inappropriate behaviour

Upholds a high standard of fairness and ethics in words and actions

Additional Requirements:

1.         The Council has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in its services to the community and in the employment of people. It expects all employees to understand, comply with and promote its policies in their own work, and to undertake any appropriate training.

2.         Comply with Health and Safety Regulations associated with your employment.

3.         Be aware of the council’s responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1984 for the security, accuracy and relevance of all personal data held on such systems and ensure that all processes comply with this.

4.         To treat all information acquired through your employment, both formally and informally, in strict confidence. There are strict rules and protocols defining employees' access to and use of the council’s databases, any breach of which will be regarded as subject to disciplinary investigation.

5.         You may be required to work at any Council site.

6.         Demonstrate a flexible approach in the delivery of work within the service area. Consequently, the postholder may be required to perform duties not specifically identified in the job profile but which are in line with the general responsibilities of the post.