Northern Ireland Expert Member – Prison Service Review Body

The Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB ) Regulations 2001 (the Regulations) are made by the Secretary of State, pursuant to his power under section 128 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. They provide that the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) examines and reports on matters relating to Prison Service rates of pay and allowances for the England and Wales Prison Service, and equivalent posts in Northern Ireland.

The PSPRB is responsible for: providing independent advice on the pay of governing governors, operational manager, prison officers and support grades in the England and Wales Prison Service and the equivalent roles in Northern Ireland. Their reports are submitted to, and considered by, the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Chief Executive Officer of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, the Northern Ireland Minister of Justice and the Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

In reaching their advice, the members of the PSPRB consider: the need to recruit, retain and motivate able and qualified staff, regional/local variations in labour markets, the legal obligations on the Prison Service, government policies, funds available and the competitiveness of the Prison service with the private sector.

The MoJ manages the process to appoint board members, with the Secretary of State for Justice advising the Prime Minister, who makes the appointments.

The Regulations provide that the PSPRB should have at least six and no more than ten members, including the Chair.

As a member of the reviewbodyyou will have responsibility for working collaboratively to:

Assess the evidence of the parties (government and trade unions); and

Contribute effectively to the review body’s consideration of its annual recommendations to government under the guidance of the Chair of the review body.

Members have a responsibility for working corporately, with the guidance of the Chair of the review body, to:

Consider the parties’ written evidence,viewsandproposals;

Take oral evidence from the parties;

Assimilate information and data on pay, policy, economic, workforce and financial matters;

Weigh evidence and undertake independentanalysis;

Meet groups of staff and managers/leaders; and

Formulate conclusions and make recommendations togovernment.

The Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB) is made up of a number of individuals who have senior-level experience of handling pay and other matters, both in the private and public sectors. The PSPRB also includes an economist member, a member with a Northern Ireland background and a member with a trade union background.

Our current members are:

• Tim Flesher CB (Chair)
• Luke Corkill
• Mary Carter
• Judith Gillespie CBE
• Raj Jethwa
• Roy Grant

We are responsible for providing independent advice on the pay of:

• governing governors and operational managers, prison officers and support grades in the England and Wales Prison Service
• governors, prison officers, support and prisoner escorting and court custody service grades in the Northern Ireland Prison Service

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website

Candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• High degree of analytical intelligence including the ability to understand and interpret complex, qualitative information including, economic and statistical data, and to develop evidence-based, workable recommendations;

Strong communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to gain respect and keep the confidence of others through effective communication and influencing skills, and confidence to challenge opinions where necessary; and

Able to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct – including a strong commitment to equal opportunities, to act impartially and to uphold the independence of the Body.

A record of significant achievement operating at a strategic level with a complex organistation

A good understanding of the…