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General Information

Salary
£25,582
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Dundee
Region
Scotland
Closing Date
02-Apr-2026
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
AO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
15881

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Job Title: Admin Officer

Grade: AO

Overview

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is an agency of the Ministry of Justice. We provide support for the legal system across England and Wales, along with non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland, ensuring justice works for everyone.


Our Justice system defends our fundamental rights and freedoms. It is a cornerstone of our modern society. It protects some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, from families in crisis to claimants and commercial businesses. We have a responsibility to deliver a Justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.

The key purpose of the role

Administrative Officers are assigned to teams to carry out a variety of general administrative duties to progress cases through the tribunal system or provide support to other functions within HMCTS. Continuous improvement tools and techniques are used in HMCTS and so there will be opportunities to exercise discretion and initiative and continually look to improve, within a framework of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Problem solving is carried out by reference to lean techniques (e.g., problem-solving hubs) and comprehensive guidelines and instructions - complex or difficult issues are normally referred to or will involve a team leader. In some positions, role holders will have regular contact with tribunal users, including members of the Judiciary and the legal profession. Administrative Officers work within a team with regular management support and are responsible for their own time, although there may be some opportunity to provide advice and carry out limited supervision of others.

Essential Skills & Criteria:

  • Strong customer focus and service skills
  • Experience of working in an administrative role in a customer focused environment
  • Proficient with IT and Microsoft Software packages
  • Excellent communication and organisational skills

Whilst the post holder will be allocated to a specific office base, there may be a need for flexibility to work on an ad hoc basis at other local HMCTS offices.

Key responsibilities:

Administration

  • Preparing papers and/or digital files for tribunals, hearings and meetings.
  • Producing tribunal documents.
  • General photocopying and filing.
  • Creating and updating records on in-house computer system and data input.
  • Post opening and dispatch.
  • Booking, preparing and organising meeting rooms, supporting training courses and other group activities.

·        Preparing meeting agenda, joining instructions, handouts etc

Drafting

·        Standard letters and correspondence, minutes, notes, reports, submissions etc, according to guidelines and instructions.

Operations

  • Clerking, tribunals and hearings, ensuring papers and materials are available and up to date.
  • Assisting tribunal users, supporting listing and rota management, checking files.
  • Contacting relevant parties, scheduling, serving tribunal documents.
  • Handling counter (face to face), written and telephone enquiries.
  • To work as a team to ensure TIB (Team Information Board) meetings are relevant, timely and productive.
  • To work as a team to problem solve, to assess the impact of new SOPS, to contribute to small projects.

·        To undertake ad hoc roles within the band such as Learning and Development Co-ordinator, Health and safety roles.

Processing casework

  • Including standard documentation and information and tribunal orders
  • Resulting tribunals accurately, interpreting accurately the information needed on a tribunal file

·        To work to workload targets in terms of throughput and accuracy.

Checking and verifying

  • Documents, records, accounts, claims and returns for approval, results, statistics, plans etc. against criteria, regulations or procedures.
  • Ensuring compliance and administration documentation meet quality standards.

·        Role holders may have to cross check and validate work completed by colleagues.

Collecting and assembling information

  • For returns, results, statistical analysis, reports etc.
  • Work may require interpretation of source materials, preparation of bundles, chasing.
  • Role holders will need to modify and adjust information and make decisions to allow work to be completed.

·        Role holders will need to collect and assemble information to prepare for and run the daily TIB meeting, as needed

Undertaking calculations

  • Produce basic statistical analysis reports and where needed, process financial information.
  • Checking the work of others, updating records, assessing the value of goods and/or property, reconciling accounts, preparing invoices, information gathering and running straightforward reports.
  • Spending limited sums of money on behalf of an office or unit.

Communicating with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and Organisations

  • Communicate effectively and work with all tribunal staff, Judiciary and internal and external stakeholders.
  • To deliver a helpful, prompt, polite and “right first time” service to our internal and external customers

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Additional Information

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.

Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised role: all successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale.  This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). 

For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.

All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.

There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.

Pension

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 15881

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

Application form stage assessments

Experience
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Statement of Suitability
Statement of Suitability
Guidance for the Statement of Suitability
Please tell us why you are suitable for this role. Demonstrate your transferable skills, knowledge, and experience in relation to the essential criteria outlined in the job description: customer service, administrative and IT experience, attention to detail, communication, and organisational skills.
You may draw on examples from work, education, volunteering, or other relevant experiences. To achieve the highest scores, we strongly encourage you to use the full word count (500 words). Provide personalised, real-life evidence, clearly linking your experience to the essential criteria.
Please ensure that all information provided is truthful and factually accurate.
Important: Submitting content that is copied or plagiarised, including material generated by others or by artificial intelligence, may result in your application being withdrawn.
Evidence of Experience
Statement of Suitability
Technical
Technical Questions Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Using your CV as a reference, please provide a summary of the key responsibilities from your previous experience that is most relevant to the Admin Officer position. Begin with your most recent experience and work backwards. For each position, include the job title, duration of employment, and a concise overview of your main duties. (Maximum 250 words).
This section is intended to help us understand where and how you gained experience in: Customer service, administration, IT systems and applying attention to detail in your work
Please avoid repeating content from your Statement of Suitability. That section should focus on what you can do, supported by specific examples. This question, by contrast, is about what you’ve done and the context in which your experience was gained.

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Interviews will take place in person on a date to be confirmed.
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
Level of security checks required
DBS Basic

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.