** Operations and Performance Officer
- Job grade: Executive Officer
- Contract type: Permanent
- Business area: HO - Immigration Enforcement - Immigration Detention (ID)
- Type of role: Operational Delivery
- Working pattern: Annualised hours, Full-time, Shift working
- Number of jobs available: 7
Location
About the job
Job summary
The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.
The Operations and Performance Officer sits within the Compliance Team at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), a key part of the Home Office’s Immigration Enforcement directorate. The team provides onsite assurance that the Centre operates safely, lawfully and in line with contractual, policy and international obligations.
Working in a fast-paced operational environment, you will play a central role in monitoring performance, reviewing compliance activity and supporting continuous improvement. You will help identify and address risks, maintain high standards and contribute to the safe, effective and compliant operation of the Centre.
Job description
As an Operations and Performance Officer, you will work as part of a team responsible for monitoring standards across the IRC and assessing the performance of the IRC supplier, helping to ensure the effective delivery of contracted services. A key part of the role involves maintaining a visible presence across the Centre, regularly engaging with supplier staff and detained residents to support effective compliance monitoring and assurance.
The role offers a varied and engaging workload, combining analytical, operational and stakeholder engagement responsibilities. You will have the opportunity to develop your organisational, data handling and decision-making skills while contributing directly to the oversight of a complex and high-profile operational environment.
Key Responsibilities
You will be responsible for (but not limited to):
- Monitor and assess compliance with contractual, policy and Detention Service Order requirements, ensuring that operational activity at Dungavel IRC meets expected standards.
- Analyse performance data and operational information to identify trends, risks and areas for improvement, supporting effective decision-making and assurance activity.
- Conduct regular checks, audits and reviews of operational processes and practices, ensuring that issues are identified promptly and appropriate action is taken.
- Engage with internal colleagues, service providers and external stakeholders to gather information, share findings and support the resolution of compliance issues.
- Contribute to the preparation of reports and briefings, providing clear, accurate and timely information on compliance performance, emerging issues and risks.
- Support continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance processes, strengthen controls and improve overall service delivery.
Working Pattern
Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.
You will need to work the full range of required shifts as part of a five-days-out-of-seven shift system. This will include early, late and standard day shifts, weekend working and participation in an on-call rota. Candidates should be aware that there is not public transport to the site so a driving licence and access to your own transport is essential.
Training
Full training will be provided, including structured onboarding covering the Dungavel environment, systems and processes. Ongoing professional development will also support you in building your capability in compliance monitoring, assurance activity and performance analysis.
You must be physically fit as you will be required to complete of Personal Safety Training (PST) Level 2 that must be refreshed annually. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
Travel
Business travel requirements are minimal and generally limited to local or regional visits.
Information Session
To learn more about this role and how to apply, register for one of our free, optional live events by clicking the date and time that suits you below.
We encourage you to attend a live event before submitting your application, as this will provide valuable insight into the role and the recruitment process.
During the event, you will hear from current staff about what the job involves, the opportunities and career prospects available, and why the role is so important. We will also explain the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions directly to our friendly and experienced team members.
Friday, 30 October, 12:00 - 13:00
Executive Officer (EO) Dungavel Compliance Team – Live Recruitment Event Tickets, Friday, October 30 • 12 PM - 1 PM GMT , Eventbrite
Thursday, November 5, 12:00 - 13:00
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/executive-officer-eo-dungavel-compliance-team-live-recruitment-event-tickets-2003760149547?aff=oddtdtcreator
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Ability to analyse and interpret information or data to identify issues, risks and trends, supporting effective decision-making.
- Experience of monitoring processes, standards or performance, with strong attention to detail in a busy environment.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.
- Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, building effective working relationships.
- Clear and effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present information in a structured and concise manner.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working in a compliance, assurance or regulatory environment.
- Experience of analysing performance information or producing reports to support operational decision-making.
Licences
Your licence will be checked at interview stage and you must confirm you hold one when you apply.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
- 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
- Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
- Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 80% of their working time in an office.
- This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of approx. 16.29% of salary, which equates to an additional ££5,606.20 per annum based on salary minimum. Further information can be found on our website.
- See more of our benefits on our careers website.
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Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.
As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.
After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the Civil Service Work Strengths test.
1. Online Test – by 09 November 2026.
If you successfully pass the Civil Service Work Strengths test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.
Guidance for the Civil Service test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The online test are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.
You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.
Following successful completion of your test, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.
You will be directed to the Talogy - True Talent – Scheduled Maintenance Window Webpage for online tests during an outage.
Our online test supplier will be performing scheduled maintenance between 4pm and midnight on 1st November 2026. You will be unable to access tests during this period.
If you are in the middle of a test when the maintenance begins, your progress will be paused. You will be able to resume your test from where you left off via your application centre once the downtime has ended. Please note that you will not be able to launch any new tests while the system is offline.
2. Application – by 09 November 2026.
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:
- CV
- Personal Statement (maximum 750 words).
- Evidence of the Behaviour – Making Effective Decisions (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualifications and skills/experience, including any key achievements in each role. Your CV will be scored against the experience required for the role as noted within the essential criteria.
The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.
For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.
3. Sift – commencing 11 November 2026.
The sift will be held on the CV, Personal Statement and Behaviour – Making Effective Decisions.
Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the CV and Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the remaining elements submitted, Behaviour – Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift
4. Interview – commencing 02 December 2026.
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviours (as listed in the job advert) and Strength based questions. All behaviours listed in the selection process will be scored at the interview.
The interview will take place at Dungravel, IRC.
Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.
Problems during the application process
If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.
Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.
Breaking Tied Scores
The behaviours and strengths have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.
Standards
All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.
Integrity Check
As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, you will also be subject to an additional Integrity Check, as part of the pre-employment process, to determine your suitability to work for Border Force or Immigration Enforcement. For further information on what this involves, please visit our website.
Further Information
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.
If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
Reasonable Adjustments
If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
- Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Home Office Resourcing Centre
- Email : HORCCampaignTeamIE@homeoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Attachments
| 2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB) |
| candidate_information_v18_July_2026 Opens in new window (pdf, 8MB) |
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