---

Job description

Thank you for your interest in the IT Operations Manager (Estates) role within the NI Prison Service. As the IT Operations Manager (Estates) you will have responsibility for coordinating the roll-out, upgrade and maintenance of a variety of technology- based solutions and systems managed by Estate Management alongside supporting the wider integration of technology used in the operation of estate activities. The job is both rewarding and challenging, with many opportunities to develop yourself to deliver critical solutions which support the success of the organisation. We are looking for someone with a robust background in IT, with good interpersonal skills and experience of working in a delivery focused, agile environment with multi-disciplinary teams. You will need good communication skills to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, operating within a supportive team who play a significant role in delivering positive outcomes on behalf of the organisation. The IT Operations Manager will operate from Estate Management (located at Hydebank Wood) and will be part of a small in-house estates team who perform the intelligent client role overseeing the management of a range of technologies and systems operating across the estate (communications, CCTV, alarms, energy management etc.). The post holder will have regular interaction with colleagues, specialist contractors and as part of the ICT profession the postholder will retain ties to ICT staff operating within the Department of Justice.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Specialist Systems Manager to lead the formulation of IT strategy and development of project briefs for technology-based projects.
• Engage with colleagues in Estate Management, NIPS ICT staff, specialist contractors and local prison staff to oversee and manage a range of technologies/systems including associated networks, servers and switches.
• Co-ordinate the triaging of any major system faults which disrupt/prevent the normal operation of those systems in conjunction with specialist contractors in order to restore full service functionality at the earliest opportunity.
• Ensure the inspection of technology-based systems to obtain assurance that installations are proceeding according to the design, that workmanship is of a satisfactory standard.
• Ensure that testing and commissioning has been satisfactorily achieved prior to handover.
• Ensure the effective management of the IT systems managed by Estate Management ensuring the delivery of system back-ups/recoveries; troubleshoot etc.
• Record, investigate and resolve service wide problems affecting the standalone systems managed by estates.
• Assist in the delivery of risk assessments for business applications and computer installations, providing advice on security strategies to manage the identified risk.
• Information Assurance assist in business impact analysis and in accreditation of standalone systems.
• Management of the Dedicated Fibre Networks operated by Estates.
• Oversee the maintenance of the central register of IP addresses which allocates unique codes for each individual item of hardware residing on the network.
• Controlling the issuing of any new IP addresses for new and replacement items of equipment authorised to join the network.
• Ensure there is a centralised back-up of all network switches (to a named server).
• Ensure, either directly or through supply chain partners, that NIPS retains a stock of emergency replacement standard switches to allow for the prompt replacement (in the event of a sudden IP failure) and restoration of the network.
• Co-ordinate the triaging and repair of any network faults, engaging with the Network Contractor to restore system functionality at the earliest opportunity.
• Management of Remote Access (diagnostic repairs).
• On behalf of the Specialist Systems Manager, administer a secure token system generating a one-time access code and ensuring that Firewalls are in place (to ensure that only the required ports, protocols and access software can be used).
• Maintain a register of any authorised remote access requests and record details of the remote access event.
• Provide advice and expertise to the Specialist Systems Manager to identify any particular areas of risk that could potentially affect the integrity of the Estate Systems and any associated recommended course of actions.
• Co-ordinate any actions relating to the management of cyber security incidents that may impact on estate related technologies, engaging with relevant technical experts, business representatives, IT Assist and/or third party suppliers.
• Engage with the relevant Service Providers and/or specialist telecoms Contractors (employed by either NIPS, IT Assist or the Samaritans), acting as NIPS intelligent client, to co-ordinate the triaging of faults/outages.
• Ensure that appropriate levels of support are being appropriately actioned in a timely and effective manner to minimise disruption to NIPS. Provide regular updates to the Specialist Systems Manager on the status of repairs.
• Assist Site Managers by validating the quarterly telecoms bills against the number of live lines to allow the bill to be processed for payment.
• Assist Site Managers by validating the quarterly IT network bill against the number of live extensions to allow the bill to be processed for payment.
• Assist the Site Manager in validating any contractual charges that are required to be paid to the Telecoms Contractors and logging any incidents that occur which impact on service delivery.
• Maintain and develop your professional knowledge and competence in order to provide authoritative professional advice.
• Contribute to the strategic management of the branch by participating in management teams and through the creation and maintenance of effective working relationships with staff and external stakeholders.
• Compile and analyse data to assist in the compilation of information required for management reports and requests from external sources (FOIs; Correspondence Cases etc).
• Any other duties, appropriate to the post, as required by line management.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• At least a Level 4 qualification in Computing, Software Engineering or other discipline relevant to Information Systems and Information Technology.
• (Only those courses where a computing content of 50% or more can be demonstrated to the panel will be considered relevant and must include at least one module related to IT Security);
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience, in the last 7 years, leading the day-to-day management of IT delivery, problem resolution and service improvements for the benefit of an organisation.
• Clearly demonstrate in your application by reference to specific examples, each of which must include a start date (month/year) and an end date (month/year).
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working in partnership with key stakeholders to successfully deliver IT initiatives.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of managing activities/ projects which have a significant impact on the organisation.
• Have a full current driving licence enabling the licence holder to drive in Northern Ireland and have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full.

Desirable Skills

• Should it be necessary to shortlist candidates to go forward to interview after eligibility sift, the selection panel will carry out an objective evaluation of the breadth and depth of information provided by candidates in response to eligibility 2.
• This will be completed on a scored basis and only the highest scoring applicants will proceed to interview.

Further Information

Estate Management - Walled Garden, Hydebank Wood campus, Hospital Road, Belfast, BT8 8NA. NICS Application form only, Vacancy closing date Friday 26th June 2026 at 12pm. Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post. The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit.

Application Information

Visit the recruitment service website www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk (Please quote reference number: IRC326838)