Head of innovation - Counter Terrorism Policing HQ

The Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters (CTPHQ) on behalf of government and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), ensures that the Counter Terrorism (CT) network has the funding, capabilities and resources it needs to deliver CONTEST effectively and to keep people safe from terrorism. It does this through the provision of corporate services as well as national operational tasking and co-ordination. It houses unique national CT capabilities that support the entire network as well as overseeing delivery of CT Policing across the regions to ensure that it operates in a way that is both effective and efficient. Crucially, the HQ represents CT Policing’s interest within government and with wider stakeholders ensuring that the policing contribution to CONTEST is both understood and appreciated.

Job purpose

Counter-Terrorism Policing (CTP) is revolutionising the way it uses data, research, technology and innovation. We have established new strategies for Data and Analysis and for Information and Communications Technology.

We are now creating this new Head of Innovation role to establish our wider innovation and technology strategy and to set the direction for future development within the wider Research and Innovation arena.

You will be responsible for setting strategy for CTP Research and Development (R&D) innovation, with a clear implementation plan, performance metrics and governance structures. You will work with the Chief Scientific Officer, Head of Research and Head of Science and Technology (S&T) Integration in building a robust and responsive research and development function within CTPHQ, to capture and anticipate operational requirements, sponsor innovation, access scientific advice and coordinate engagement with research communities.

Job description

The Head of Innovation is a senior role reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO). You will be responsible for driving research-led innovation and contribute to the overall R&D strategy within CTP, based on operational requirements from CTP’s stakeholder communities.

You will deputise for the CSO on R&D innovation issues. You will also work with the Head of Research, the Head of S&T Integration and the CSO to ensure that CTP invests in innovative solutions that enable us to deliver our mission and stay ahead of current and future threats.

Key tasks

The post holder will be required to do the following:

• create and implement a CTP R&D innovation strategy. This will build upon the work already being done in building an S&T Problem Book, the S&T roadmap to achieve CTP’s mission objectives, and a strategy on a page. You will develop and maintain a detailed strategy for R&D looking at short and longer-term research. You will line manage and work closely with them to deliver this objective
• work with the CSO to establish an overarching science and technology framework to generate research requirements for the organisation. This task will involve maintaining constant engagement with CTP’s stakeholder community, collecting operational requirements, and feeding these to a 'live' version of the S&T Problem Book. This function will also involve collaborating and de-conflicting with other government partners, to make sure there is no duplication of effort, and the commissioning of S&T is being handled in the most cost-effective manner
• work with the CSO to form a central team including the Head of Research, Head of S&T Integration, Domain experts, and Partnerships officer. You will engage with HR functions, design the job description for building their team, and will attract a diverse range of individuals best suited for the role. You will also be key in the sifting and selection process of the candidates. Finally, you will have line management responsibility for the team. You are expected to engage in authentic and inclusive leadership, and keep the team motivated and help with their personal development objectives.
• establish strategic coordination with UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Met and the leads within the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Establish technical partnerships with the Home Office, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and other science and technology organisations. The S&T function in CTPHQ is a collaborative network. This means accessing the right expertise, data sharing agreements, commercial frameworks, and managing the matrix of disperse collaborative entities to accomplish CTP’s S&T mission is vital. You will maintain close engagement with the S&T function’s main collaborators and seek wider collaboration from other relevant bodies. You will work with our collaborators to:
  
  • create research projects addressing CTP’s operational problems
  • identify the best routes to commission the research
  • govern the research projects
  • identify and work with CTP’s information and communication technology (ICT) to transition the S&T outputs back into the CTP ecosystem
• establish international relationships for science and technology collaboration. This must include access to research and technology agreements to enable sharing and joint projects. This involves fostering new collaboration opportunities and will also explore other international avenues of collaboration.

Scope for impact

The Head of Innovation has the scope for significant impact. The role will be at the core of a new scientific and technical capability in CTP, linked to partner capabilities across His Majesty's Government (HMG).

This role will transform our use approach to technical innovation, revolutionise our relationships with industry and academia and ultimately ensure that CTP and its partners maintain critical operational edge against our adversaries. This will be central to our commitment to outpace the rapidly changing threat environment.

The role will also be at the core of a new generation of inter-agency collaboration on technical capability across the national security and law enforcement community. This will give the role the scope for a high profile in policing and in Whitehall, influencing and shaping a broad, national group.

This role has been identified by directors and the CSO as a game-changing function to enable and enhance Innovation capability within CTP.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post.

This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV)] clearance. 

As the post holder will have access to very sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and we will undertake additional security checks as part of the recruitment process.  Applications from candidates with close connections to certain countries may take considerably longer to process, or in some cases result in a withdrawal of an offer of employment. Further details will be provided at the conditional offer stage.

Confidentiality agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our employee commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of 'Working to keep people safe from Terrorism'.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working or job share. In addition, this role may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact us to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated where applicable.