8273 - Presenting Officer - 8273 - Ministry of Justice

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

This position is based at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ.

We welcome and encourage applications from all who are eligible to apply and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion equality and diversity in the workplace, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity

CICA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice. We receive over 40,000 applications for compensation a year from people who have lost loved ones or have been injured as a result of violent crime. We know financial compensation can never fully redress what they have suffered. Nevertheless, what we do is an important part of providing justice for victims and we take pride that the compensation we pay helps people move forward with their lives. We are committed to delivering a fair, sensitive and efficient service to all applicants and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the victim is at the heart of everything we do.

We employ around 300 people and are based in Glasgow city centre with excellent transport links. We are a small, engaged, productive workforce with a real sense of corporate community and are recruiting for people who are bright, motivated, passionate about delivering excellent customer service and who want to use their talents to help make a difference to the lives of innocent victims of violent crime. We are recruiting for people who are passionate about customer service and share our values - Purpose, Humanity, Openness and Together.

We have an exciting opportunity to join us at Higher Executive Officer Grade, as a Presenting Officer. You are invited to apply to join our small and dedicated team of Presenting Officers who represent CICA in Appeal Hearings before the independent First-tier Tribunal. These Hearings may take place by video link, telephone or in person at Tribunal Centres throughout Great Britain. Appeal Hearings in person reduced significantly during the pandemic and they remain less frequent. However, there is an ongoing requirement to travel to Tribunal Centres on occasion, and this may be for a period of up to five days at a time.

These positions are based at CICA, 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ. We operate a hybrid working business model which involves 60% office attendance.

The Role

The Presenting Officer role involves a strong commitment to delivering personal and team objectives linked to our Business Plan. We are looking for people with strong decision making and communication skills, who can show empathy, humanity and a passion for delivering excellent customer service.

You will:

Consider and prepare CICA’s response to appeals submitted to the independent First-tier Tribunal by applicants to the criminal injuries compensation schemes and the victims of overseas terrorism compensation scheme

Represent CICA at Appeal Hearings before the independent First-tier Tribunal, making oral submissions and responding to questions from Tribunal Judges and appellants or their representatives

Respond to Directions issued by the First-tier Tribunal and prepare written submissions where appropriate

Show sensitivity and compassion at all times, while maintaining your own personal resilience whether speaking to people on the telephone or at Appeal Hearings

Possess excellent written and oral communication skills – both written submissions and oral presentation are fundamental to the role

Provide feedback to decision-making colleagues on decisions from Appeal Hearings and provide advice and support to enable more effective decision-making

Where capacity within the Presenting Officer team permits, make decisions on applications for criminal injuries compensation

Work flexibly, professionally and collaboratively with others including legal advisers, operational colleagues and external stakeholders in HM Courts and Tribunals Service

Keep up to date with technical and legislative developments and regulations and disseminate this as required

Recommend and implement quality initiatives to enhance and add value to CICA as well as making an effective contribution to quality initiatives

Essential criteria:

Excellent drafting and oral communication skills

Ability to self-manage, plan and prioritise

Ability to review extensive and complex information, swiftly identifying the relevant facts and issues

Excellent analytical and investigative skills, with strong attention to detail

Strong interpersonal skills to develop effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders

The following criteria are not essential; however, candidates who can demonstrate relevant evidence should reference this in their application.

Desirable criteria:

Experience in handling complex casework and decision making

Experience of drafting complex documents (e.g. proposals, reports etc.)

Experience of presenting in a formal environment

How to apply

The selection process for this vacancy will utilise Civil Service Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours and Strengths.

Stage 1

Applicants should provide a CV and a statement of suitability (no more than 750 words) which evidences the essential criteria. You should read each of the Essential Criteria and think about a time or an example that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills.

You should also provide an example of how you have demonstrated the behaviour ‘Communicating and Influencing’ (maximum 250 words). Remember, this must be evidence based, and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion (Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflection).

If we receive a large volume of applications, we may conduct an initial sift based solely on the 250-word ‘Communicating and Influencing’ behaviour example. Candidates who pass the initial sift may then progress to full sift or interview.

Stage 2

If you are invited to interview, you will be tested on the following behaviours:

Making Effective Decisions

Delivering at Pace

Managing a Quality Service

The interview will include strength-based questions.

You will also be asked to deliver a short presentation. The presentation brief will be sent to the shortlisted candidates in advance.

Interviews are likely to take place in early to mid-September 2025

Important Information Regarding Interviews

Interviews will be conducted in person at 10 Clyde Place, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow G5 8AQ.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

A reserve list will be created and will be valid for 12 months if further vacancies arise for this or similar roles at Higher Executive Officer, candidates may be appointed from the reserve list in order of merit.

We offer flexible working 7am – 7pm, Monday to Friday. This role is offered on a full-time (37 hours per week) or part-time working pattern; however, we ask that applicants make themselves available on a full-time, fixed hours basis (9am to 5pm) for the initial training period which takes up to 8 weeks. This is to ensure the best training and consolidation experience for our new Presenting Officers. Additionally, any agreements on flexible working will be subject to business needs and our commitments to attendance at Tribunal hearings.

For queries about the role, please contact Gregor Preston-Jones (gregor.preston-jones@cica.gov.uk).

CICA is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences, who meet the criteria and have relevant experience they can bring to the role. All appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition.

Disability Confident

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Reasonable Adjustments

Tell us if you have a disability when you apply, and we can offer reasonable adjustments to help with the selection process. 

If you require any assistance at any time, please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.

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

To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk);
To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)

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 8273

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

Behaviours

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Communicating and Influencing, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit

250

Communicating and Influencing

Experience

We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Evidence of Experience

CV or Work History, Statement of Suitability

Ministry of Justice

8273 - Presenting Officer

General Information

Descriptions & requirements

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Application form stage assessments

Interview stage assessments

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