Forensic Compliance Quality Manager

Forensic Compliance Quality Manager 

Hindlip, Worcestershire 

Permanent Contract  

Full Time 

The closing date for this post is 12 noon on Thursday 31st October 2019

Those currently eligible on the redeployment register will be given prior consideration.

An exciting opportunity has arisen within West Mercia Police for a Forensic Compliance Quality Manager. Quality standards and accreditation has a key role in ensuring we provide high quality and effective forensic science to help reduce harm within our communities.

We have significant levels of ISO 17025 accreditation already in place within our DNA recovery, blood searching, forensic enhancement, fingerprint comparison, footwear and digital forensics laboratory based services.  We are also well placed in our preparation for achieving accreditation to ISO17020 for scene based forensic activities.

This is a permanent role that is currently shared across both West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police shared forensic activities but will in due course become a dedicated Quality Manager role for West Mercia Police. We additionally have a well-resourced and experienced West Mercia based Quality Team who supports the Quality Manager and operational forensic teams in all quality matters and who are responsible for the day to day running of the Quality Management System.  The Quality Manager is a pivotal and influential member of our excellent Forensics Team, reporting directly to the Head of Forensic Services.

The applicant must be experienced in quality management systems and have a high level of knowledge of the ISO 17025 and 17020 standards and their application, preferably within a forensics environment.

West Mercia based Forensic Services has recently benefitted from significant investment and refurbishment resulting in a contemporary environment with excellent facilities and located within beautiful surroundings.

The main purpose of the role is Implementing and maintaining ISO Quality Standards as agreed with the Head of Forensic Services, to ensure compliance with the EU and the Forensic Science Regulator’s mandate and requirements and codes of practice across all Forensic disciplines within Alliance forces.

Management of the Quality Management System, Business Continuity arrangements and supporting adherence to other legislative standards including data handling and information security.

Main Responsibilities:

Own, challenge, manage and continuously improve the existing quality system, including the management review process, business continuity plans and SLAs whilst ensuring regulatory compliance is maintained.

Oversee the Corrective Action / Preventive Action activities, Complaint Handling Programs and reporting significant Quality related issues to the Head of Forensic Services.

Oversee and lead all Quality-related communications and training requirements for all forensic employees, including reviewing regular internal quality audits and peer reviews against the working practices within the department.

Act as a management representative and lead on Quality Issues for Forensic Services at regional and national meetings.

Leading on engagement with Forensic Services Senior Management Team, UKAS, Office of the Forensic Science Regulator, and Unit Technical Managers and other stakeholders to ensure effective assessment of each Forensic unit under accreditation.

Monitoring and managing customer feedback to utilise the information in order to improve the Quality Management System and Technical operations, and feeding back recommendations to the Senior Management Team.

Leading on competency testing, external proficiency testing and inter laboratory comparison work is carried out within the agreed timescales and to a suitable standard.

Leading and coordinating Departmental adherence to other compliance legislative standards impacting Forensic Services including data handling and information security.

To be proactive in delivering support to all Forensic disciplines with advice and guidance on Quality related matters, reporting significant issues or risks to the Forensic Senior Management team and Head of Forensic Services

To undertake other duties commensurate with the nature, level of responsibility and grading of this post, as required.

Experience/Skills:

Educated to degree level or with equivalent work related experience.

Advanced knowledge of ISO Quality Management systems and the process of external accreditation and its application.

UKAS or equivalent forensic auditors course

Knowledge and understanding of staff management and motivational techniques.

Demonstrable experience of successfully leading and managing an accredited ISO quality management system at 17025 or 17020 level.

Previous experience of leading and managing a team of staff in a professional environment.

Proven experience of contributing to the success of a multi-discipline teams

Experience of public speaking and presentations.

Experience of conducting internal audits both vertically and horizontally and writing concise reports.

Ability to communicate at all levels, adapting the style of communication to meet the needs of the audience.

Ability to remain calm and controlled and maintain good performance within a mission critical service area

Ability to effectively plan and coordinate projects.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Good interpersonal skills and ability to manage and maximise the potential of staff.

Ability to work in a multi discipline team responsible for providing forensic Services

High level of accuracy and attention to detail

Ability to absorb, understand and apply new Forensic Science Regulatory requirements to the alliance forces environment and make and enact recommendations.

Demonstrate a flexible approach to work and a high level of self motivation.

Ability to exercise discretion and confidentiality

Possess excellent IT skills and demonstrate competency in a number of IT systems and applications.

Special Conditions

Casual Car User

Requirement to be able to travel throughout Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police

Uniform

Mandatory Training - UKAS or equivalent Auditors Course

We want our organisation to be as diverse as the community it serves. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

You will be required as part of West Mercia Police recruitment process to successfully complete vetting and credit checks.

We support the “Happy to talk flexible working” campaign, which aims to encourage uptake of flexible working for individuals, the flexible working options that may be considered for this role include; Compressed Hours.