Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3) – Organisations led by and focused on racially minoritised people Seat

Clinks is seeking an expert from the voluntary sector to sit on the Reducing Reoffending Third Sector Advisory Group (RR3). This person will be a senior leader of a voluntary organisation led by and focused on racially minoritised people, with current experience of delivering specialist services to racially minoritised people in contact with the criminal justice system (CJS), as well as expertise in CJS policy. 

Background  

The main purpose of the RR3 is to build a stronger and more effective partnership between the voluntary sector and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). The chair for the group and its secretariat is provided by Clinks, the infrastructure organisation supporting voluntary organisations in the CJS in England and Wales.  

The role  

Members of the RR3 leadership group are senior experts from the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. Members of the board sit as individuals, and they act as a representative of the wider voluntary sector. Please read the guide to the RR3 and full terms of reference for further information. The RR3 group meets quarterly to:   

• Advise on and support the development, and implementation of, policy by the MoJ and other government departments, and other related issues, as and when they arise  

• Provide advice and feedback on the development of commissioning strategies and practice in line with relevance to the delivery of services for people in contact with the CJS 

• Contribute to identifying gaps in the provision of services to people in contact with the CJS and recommend how these might be filled. 

Person specification 

A) Experience and knowledge  

We want to ensure that the RR3 has a wide breadth of knowledge and experience. We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience of the CJS who now work in the voluntary sector. The experience and knowledge we are seeking includes (but is not limited to):   

• Delivery and policy expertise in relation to racially minoritised people in contact with the CJS 

• Evidence-based practice in supporting desistance for racially minoritised people in contact with the CJS  

• Knowledge relevant to the commissioning of services in the CJS, as well as funding and investment models and mechanisms  

• Expertise in working with people with characteristics protected under the Equality Act (2010) and knowledge of the specific needs of individuals in the CJS with protected characteristics and the unequal outcomes they face.  

B) Current commitment: 

• Able to attend quarterly RR3 meetings (the main quarterly meetings are approximately two hours, between 10am-2pm, and held online, with one half-day meeting in-person per year in Central London) 

• Able to attend regular meetings (approximately every six weeks and lasting for 45 mins) with nominated policy and operational leads at the MoJ and HMPPS 

• Willing to engage with the wider sector in order to gather intelligence and feedback on key issues  

• Where appropriate, lead or contribute to Special Interest Groups (SIGs) (time-limited groups to advise and develop recommendations on specific areas of policy and practice) 

• Involvement of the work of the RR3’s Policy Sub-Group on tackling racial disparities in the criminal justice system  

• A willingness and ability to act as a representative for, and advocate of, the voluntary sector working in criminal justice.  

C) Skills and abilities  

• The ability to take part in meetings and decision making of a representative group   

• Excellent communication skills that allow for the clear representation of key issues to senior government officials  

• The ability to contribute to RR3 Special Interest Groups (SIGs) by chairing events and meetings, and contributing to briefings and reports  

• The ability to work collaboratively with other organisations that specialise in delivering services for racially minoritised people in contact with the CJS, to facilitate information sharing, and feed information from the wider sector back to the RR3 group.   

• The ability to engage with senior officials at the MoJ and HMPPS. 

D) Attitudes and values  

• A willingness to act as a champion for equality in the context of criminal justice  

• A strong belief in the positive role of the voluntary sector in supporting people on their desistance journey   

• A commitment to improving outcomes for people who are or have been in contact with the CJS. 

Please note this is a non-renumerated position but reasonable travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.