Strategic Support Manager

Grade: 8

Post Number:

Conditions of Service: NJC for Local Government Services

Working to: Area Manager Corporate Services

Responsible to: Area Manager Corporate Services

Responsible for: Corporate Communications, Information Governance, Executive Support Station Manager and Service Support Hub.

General Description of Post

Bringing together the current Principal Officer Support role within the Command Suite with other ‘strategic support’ functions within the Service; Communications, Administration, and Information Governance, the Strategic Support manager role is responsible for an outward-looking, advisory role to SLT, as well as a ‘horizon scanning’ functionality to the Service to drive continuous improvement and work closely with the Performance and Planning Manager to incorporate this in to Service planning.

This role is responsible for ensuring that the Service remains abreast of national developments, working in liaison with other Departmental Heads to ensure that actions, consultations and developments are received by the Service, actioned and tracked, and – working with the Performance and Planning Manager – ensures that the Service provides proactive responses and comparative analysis of national data that is reported. Examples of this would be the Fire Standards publications, Home Office and ONS reporting & comparison, and the Service’s engagement with consultations.

This role will ensure that the Service is in a strong position to internally and externally gather, present and promote key information and performance as well as drive the Service forward in these areas. The role will also oversee collaboration for the Service, exploring opportunities for further collaboration whilst managing, monitoring, reporting and evaluating existing collaborations.

This role leads a function which is responsible for facilitating the tracking and upkeep of administrative requirements for the SLT and Performance & Programme Board (Trackers, agendas, etc.) as well as responsibility for internal engagement events such as Middle Manager days. This function also oversees the coordination of organisational events such as the Awards Ceremony, Tri-Service Christmas Service and Organisational Community events.

Specific duties

1. Develop the NFRS Strategic Support function, clearly identifying areas for improvement and embedding ways of working.
2. Maintain appropriate processes and systems to facilitate a ‘Horizon Scanning’ approach for the organisation; ensuring that the Service remains abreast of all new sector, local and national developments, publications and recommendations where relevant.
3. Lead and manage the Corporate Communications, Information Governance, Executive Support and Service Support functions within the Service, developing a ‘one-team’ approach to working and developing the Service’s approach in these areas, aligned to the Strategic Plan and Business Plans. Working in close collaboration with the Performance and Planning Manager
4. Be responsible for providing timely and accurate reports both internally and externally to the organisation. This includes evaluating information from a diverse range of sources and applying analytical techniques to provide comparative data, as appropriate, in order to support organisational decision making and with the production of service business plans.
5. Be responsible for working with Area Managers/Group Managers to regularly review service developments, policy and procedure which underpin NFRS priorities, strategies and business plans. This should be undertaken with consideration to national guidance, latest publications and local performance information. Develop and agree proposals and present to management and the SLT.
6. Oversee the provision of administrative support to the SLT, Performance & Programme Board and the facilitation of engagement events (e.g. Middle Manager Days).
7. Oversee the facilitation of organisational events such as the Awards Ceremony, Tri-Service Christmas Service and Community events.
8. Lead the Corporate Communications Team to ensure the provision of accurate, timely and relevant communications. Oversee the quality assurance, validity and overall integrity of work produced within the Team. Drive opportunities for continual improvement in the provision and quality of communications output and engagement.
9. Lead the Executive Support and Service Support functions to ensure the provision of accurate, timely and relevant support to the organisation. Oversee the quality assurance, validity and overall integrity of all services provided. Drive opportunities for continual improvement in the provision and quality of services provided by the Teams.
10. Manage all activities required to collect, analyse, evaluate and present information relating to sector, regional, national or local developments that may impact on the Service. Facilitate and report gap analysis and resulting action plans to management for the development of the Service.
11. Be responsible for presentation of formal reports at Fire Authority, SLT, performance meetings, Service Delivery Evaluation and Assurance Group, Team performance meetings, District Managers meetings, etc.
12. Be responsible for the effective line management, development and performance management of teams including regular one-to-one meetings with managers, annual performance reviews and agreed professional development plans to identify any training needs. Be responsible for resolving any individual or cross-team HR or people issues.
13. Manage, prioritise and organise the resources of teams. Develop structured methods to plan and prioritise the workload in the team; facilitate efficient planning of activities and allocation of workloads across the team ensuring effective use of resources and also allowing opportunities for development.
14. Be responsible for working with Managers to facilitate data provision to external parties to ensure statutory reporting obligations are fully met, e.g. Home Office, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, ONS. Oversee the reporting of analysis and comparison of data.
15. Act as a point of contact for relevant Government departments, auditors and external bodies concerning publications and requests (e.g. Fire Standards, etc.).
16. Develop and promote opportunities for collaboration with third parties, e.g. Police, National Health Service, Nottinghamshire Road Safety Partnership, other Fire Services, etc. Oversee evaluation, review and reporting of collaborations.
17. Be responsible for overseeing all General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) legislative requirements.
18. Participate in multi-agency and partnership meetings to improve information sharing, performance analysis and improvement activities. Attend other local, regional and national forums as required to represent the Service.
19. Oversee the processes for the creation, consultation, publication and regular review of Service policies and procedures.
20. Manage and prioritise all ‘Business as Usual’ activities across the teams to maintain a good level of service to customer departments across NFRS and externally.
21. Be responsible for license and contract management with external suppliers for core systems managed by the teams (social media management, etc.)
22. Oversee appropriate levels of training to team members and other NFRS employees in all aspects relating to departmental activities.
23. Liaise with Managers and other portfolios to evaluate the impact of new developments, requirements or publications and highlight any resulting activities required to support. Monitor externally published material and produce impact reports / gap analysis as necessary.
24. Undertake planned internal audits of teams to facilitate continuous improvement.
25. Participate as appropriate in the external recruitment, selection and appointment procedures for new staff within teams and wider service promotion panels, e.g. Crew / Watch / Station Managers.
26. Understand and comply with all policies, procedures and relevant legislation.
27. To undertake any other reasonable duty, commensurate with the grading and responsibility of the post, across the Service in order to meet Service priorities and business continuity requirements.

Specific Health & Safety Responsibilities

In consultation with the Service’s Health and safety advisor the post holder is responsible for raising any issues relating to their workspace area that may contribute detrimentally to their own Health and safety.

General Responsibilities (all employees)

1. Health and Safety

   To take reasonable care for your own health and safety and work and that of other persons who may be affected by your work activities.

   To co-operate with Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Services’s attempts to comply with health and safety legislation. Where appropriate you must safeguard the health and safety of all persons affected by the work activities you supervise at any premises you have control over.

   To work in a safe manner in which you have been trained and instructed and advise your line manager of any health and safety problems you become of aware of.

   To familiarise yourself with the contents of the Service’s Written Safety Policy, as well as any technical information provided to assist you to operate appliances or equipment or to handle hazardous substances.

   To wear personal protective equipment supplied to you by the Service in the manner in which you have been instructed to do so.

2. Use of equipment and other appliances

   To take proper care in handling, operation and safeguarding of any equipment, vehicles or appliance, used or issued by the Service or provided or issued by a third party for individual or collective use in the performance of the job holder’s duties

3. Equalities

   To uphold the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Fairness at Work and Equal Opportunities policies and practices and to treat all colleagues, service users and contacts with respect and in accordance with the expectations laid down by the Service.

   To promote and deliver fair and quality services that are sensitive and responsive to all service users.

4. Code of Conduct

   To adhere to the standards of the Code of Conduct established by the Service.

5. Personal Development

   To keep up to date with current practice, undertake training and Continuous Professional Development as appropriate.

6. Information Technology

   To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to, alteration or disclosure of information held on computer and ensure adherence to the principles of the Data Protection Act.

   To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and associated systems as required.

7. Protective Security

   To comply with security measures to protect against unauthorised access to Service assets, or unauthorised access, alteration or disclosure of information, including information held on computer, ensuring adherence to NFRS policies and data protection law.

   To undertake any training and operation of new technologies and new systems as required.

   Or:
   To work within current legislation, Service policies and procedures and Service Values.

   Or:
   Comply with all Service Policies, guiding frameworks and legal requirements.

   Maintain up to date knowledge and understanding of relevant data protection legal requirements.