Presenting Officer (HEO)

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.