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General Information

Salary
£24,202
Working Pattern
Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Birmingham
Region
West Midlands
Closing Date
03-Jul-2025
Post Type
Fixed Term
Civil Service Grade
AO
Number of jobs available
50
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
6796

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Role:

Administration Officer

Business:

Office of Public Guardian (OPG)

Location:

Victoria Square House, Birmingham

Grade:

AO

Salary:

£24,202 per year

Contract Type:

Fixed Term Contract - 18 months (with a view to permanency)

Minimum Hours: 22.12


Organisational Overview 

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) protects people in England and Wales who may not have the mental capacity to make certain decisions for themselves, such as about their health and finance. We are an Executive Agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), set up in 2007 following the introduction of the Mental Capacity Act of 2005.

OPG is responsible for registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) and supervising deputies who are appointed by the Court of Protection.

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities.  The OPG is a disability confident employer  and is committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

OPG is currently delivering an ambitious transformation programme. This will change the way we provide services and help us meet the growing needs of our users, partners and our stakeholders. It will make sure our users experience a better level of support and will help us to respond to the changing needs of society. Transformation will ensure we can better support adults at risk and create high-quality services that are accessible and affordable.

Team Overview 

Power of Attorney Services (POAS) processes incoming power of attorney applications on behalf of the Public Guardian, within agreed targets and performance indicators. POAS comes under the Operations directorate of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

OPG is a fantastic place to work offering a range of development opportunities, health and wellbeing initiatives and diversity and inclusion promotion. We have recently received a health and wellbeing charter accreditation as we are committed to developing a supportive and inclusive environment that reflects the diverse community we serve.

Our Birmingham office is located centrally within walking distance to Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill train stations as well as the Mailbox and Broad Street. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

The role advertised is for an Administration Officer based in Birmingham for Power of Attorney Services. There are various roles available in different departments comprising of different functions. These roles range from casework, administration (filing, post opening etc), quality assurance and registering documents and answering customer calls.

Please see the Candidate Information Pack also attached to the job advert for further information. 

You may be a required to work in different departments during the course of your employment, dependant on business needs. This includes an expectation that you may be trained to work in our customer contact centre. 

The MOJ offers hybrid working arrangements where business need allows. However, as part of OPG's commitment in developing its people we are up-skilling and multi-skilling people throughout Power of Attorney Services therefore you are expected to be office based only and carry out duties within any of the POAS business areas.

The successful candidates will be based in Birmingham but may have the opportunity to visit our office in Nottingham. 

Responsibilities may include any of the following, but not limited to: 

• Supporting and contributing to the aims, objectives and performance of the department to ensure the Business Plan targets are met. Providing best possible customer service, ensuring that all information is accurate, clear, easy to understand and timely. 
• Being responsible for your own quality, regularly refreshing your technical knowledge and training, to maintain the highest standards. Update case management and management information systems to keep applications on track, colleagues informed and submitting your personal stats sheets accurately, reporting anomalies. 
• Contribute to ‘smarter working’ by following procedures, providing constructive feedback where improvements and efficiencies can optimise customer experience. Participate and contribute in team meetings, developing working relationships across the business where needed.  
• Act as a role model, demonstrating behaviours within the MoJ Leadership statement and being a flexible, supportive team member, with good time-management skills to prioritise work. 
• Communicating clearly, being honest and transparent, making decisions that involve the relevant people at the right time.
• Most roles will require a degree of communicating with customers by telephone, email or letter to answer questions and enquiries or ask for further information relating to their application.
• Communicating with your team within a remote-working environment (MS Teams). Some roles may include an element of remote working.
• Being responsible for your own learning and development with the support and guidance of your line manager and developing a knowledge of HR policies which you will be expected to abide by.
• Answer inbound telephone calls from external customers in a helpline centre environment, providing appropriate responses to customer queries and escalating requests to other teams where appropriate. You will act as point of contact for the customer, dealing with enquiries in a professional and courteous manner.

Agreed Expectations 

The successful candidate will be expected to work from their base location on a weekly basis in line with current Civil Service requirements, outside of any reasonable adjustments.

Skills & Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Experience of using Microsoft computer packages, i.e Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Proficiency in written and oral communication as telephony work will be required.
• Experience of providing excellent customer service.
• Working in an inclusive environment.
• Actively support the team's overall efforts and stay flexible and willing to take on new or varied responsibilities as needed.
• Seek assistance when needed and offer support to others whenever possible.
• Effectively plan, organise, and manage your time to deliver high-quality service that ensures value for taxpayers' money.

Desirable Skills 

• Experience of working in an operational delivery area or administration role.
• Experience of working in a compliance environment.

Application process

This recruitment will follow the Civil Service Success Profile process. Candidates will be expected to provide 250 words each for Managing a Quality Service (level 1) and Working Together (level 1) incorporating the essential criteria in your behaviour statements. 

Interview Process

If you are successful at sift, you will be invited to an interview which will use the Civil Service Success Profiles. At interview, candidates should expect questions on:

• Strengths relevant to the role
• The following Behaviours at Level 1: 
o Managing a quality service
o Working Together
• Your Experience of IT usage (Microsoft Packages).

All interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Reasonable Adjustments

At OPG we consider all applications on the basis of merit and want you to feel able to demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used. If you require any reasonable adjustments for any aspect of the selection process, do not hesitate to get in contact with us.

As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. If you are applying for a role within OPG and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the selection process. 

For further information on benefits of working for OPG, such as our Flexible Working Policy and a FAQ, please check the candidate information pack attached to this advert.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at the same or lower grade should one be available. 
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 6796

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 6796

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Evidence of Experience
Experience Questions

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Expected 04/08/2025 -15/08/2025 (Subject to change)
Behaviours
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Experience
Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here.
We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods
Experience Questions
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.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
You must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application, including your CV, statement of suitability and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard