85446 - Summer Intern
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
Job Title: Summer Intern
Duration: Up to 12-weeks Fixed Term Contract
Location: Various (see ‘Location’ section below)
Pay Band: Administrative Officer (48 posts)
Salary: Within M25: £27,000 per annum (pro rata)
All other locations: £22,940 (pro rata)
Background:
HMCTS provides administrative support for the legal system across England and Wales, they are also responsible for 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 and it must serve all those who call on it, when they call on it. From some of the most vulnerable people in our society, to families in crisis, claimants and commercial businesses – HMCTS has a responsibility to administer a justice system that is accessible to everyone and operates efficiently.
The Role:
Administrative Officer
These operational roles are primarily customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide essential HMCTS services to the public. HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices, subject to business needs being met. As part of the Operational Delivery Profession, these roles contribute to the outward face of government, providing a variety of essential services to the public. The role includes working in many different departments delivering service to customers in:
• Customer facing roles, including face-to-face contact with service users
• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings
• Scheduling video hearings and data input onto in-house computer systems
Being part of the operational delivery profession means belonging to a cross-government community of people. This will offer you access to information on professional standards, skills development and qualifications to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career options.
Key Purpose:
We are offering an exciting opportunity to come and join us on a temporary placement to support our courts over the summer period. These roles will give you an insight in to how our courts run, and you will be part of a team supporting the important work to ensure our courts and services run smoothly. Successful candidates will be assigned to teams to carry out a variety of general administrative duties to progress cases through the court/tribunal system or provide support to other functions within HMCTS.
In some positions, role holders will have regular direct contact with court / tribunal users, including members of the Judiciary, service users and the legal profession. Working within an administrative team, HMCTS will provide successful candidates with regular management support and ensure appropriate training is delivered.
Working as part of a flexible team, you will be expected to undertake a range of the responsibilities and functions specified. It is not intended that each post will be responsible for the full range of duties.
Successful candidates would be expected to work the full duration of the 12-week contract, with annual leave provided on a pro rata basis. As these placements provide business cover during peak leave periods, they will be office based only and we very much encourage applications from those able to commit to working a full 37hr working week for the duration of the placement.
Key Responsibilities:
Administration:
• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings
• Producing court/tribunal documents
• Creating and updating records on in-house computer system and data input
• Draft Standard letters and correspondence, minutes, notes, reports, submissions etc., according to guidelines and instructions
Operations:
• Clerking civil and family courts, tribunals and hearings, ensuring papers and materials are available and up to date
• Assisting court users, supporting listing and rota management, checking files
• Resulting courts accurately, interpreting accurately the information required on a court file
• Handling counter (face to face), written and telephone enquiries
• Seek innovative ways to use problem solving tools to continually improve the customer experience
• Modify / adjust information and make decisions to ensure relevant guidance is given to service users
Checking & Verifying:
• Documents, records, accounts, claims and returns for approval, results, statistics, plans etc. against criteria, regulations or procedures
• Ensuring compliance and that administration documentation meets quality standards
• Role holders may be required to cross check and validate work completed by colleagues
Collecting & Assembling Information:
• For returns, results, accounts, statements, warrants, statistical analysis, reports etc.
• Work may require interpretation of source materials, preparation of bundles, chasing
Communication:
• Communicate and work with the Judiciary, Magistracy, the Cluster Managers, Court staff, and other internal and external stakeholders, suppliers to provide excellent customer service
• To deliver a helpful, prompt, polite and “right first time” service to our internal and external customers
Other duties:
You are 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.
Essential Skills, Knowledge and Criteria:
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent communications skills
• Strong IT, administration and organisational skills
• You must be eligible to work in the UK for the entire duration of the internship
Locations:
Role availability varies by location. No alternative working arrangements are available and once placements are confirmed no location changes can be accommodated. You will be given the option to select up to 3 preferred locations for your placement. Please ensure you only select locations that you would be willing to commute to and work from for the whole duration of the placement. Whilst the post holder will be allocated to a specific office base, there may be a need for flexibility to work on a regular or ad hoc basis at other local HMCTS offices.
We currently have the following number of vacancies at these locations:
CTC level vetting locations (within M25):
Royal Courts of Justice, London x19
Standard BPSS vetting locations (within M25):
East London Family Court x5
Clerkenwell & Shoreditch County Court x5
Standard BPSS vetting locations (outside M25):
Birmingham Civil Justice Centre x10
Canterbury County Court x1
Chelmsford County Court x2
Medway County Court x1
Milton Keynes County Court x1
Norwich County Court x2
Oxford County Court x1
Reding County Court x1
Application Process:
To apply for this position please complete the online application form, ensuring you include a 250-word Statement of Suitability. To aid completion, please refer to the requirements in the Essential Skills, Knowledge and Criteria section (above) and outline the relevant personal skills, experience, strengths and behaviours you could bring to HMCTS.
You will also be required to demonstrate in 250 words against each of the following Experience based questions:
1) Provide an example of where you have collaborated with colleagues / others to provide excellent customer service
2) Provide an example of how you have had to prioritise workloads and manage deadlines in a fast-paced customer environment
You are encouraged to follow the STAR framework when providing their evidence. Further information on Success Profiles, STAR and the required standards for this post (Level 1) can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
Selection Process:
The selection process will be conducted on written applications only. No formal interview will be required as part of this selection process. If selected for appointment, we will try to match your selected location preferences but if vacancies in those do not exist, we may offer employment at alternative nearby locations.
Please note, dependent on volumes of applications received, the sift stage may be based solely on your Statement of Suitability.
A Merit List of applicants meeting the required selection criteria will be kept for up to 6 months.
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). 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 roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
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 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 Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team (resourcing-management-office@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. 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 see our Disability Confident Scheme Frequently Asked Questions webpage.
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 SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.
02/04/2024, 23:55 hours.
To apply for roles in MOJ you will need to confirm your employment history for at least 3 years prior to the date of application so that pre-employment checks (BPSS) can be undertaken. If you have spent significant time abroad (a total of 6 months in the past 3 years) you would be required to give a reasonable account of the reasons why.
For some roles you will be required to successfully complete National Security Vetting at Counter Terrorism (CTC), Security Clearance (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) level as a condition of appointment. To meet CTC/SC/DV requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3/5/10 years prior to the date of application (The level of checks that are required are stated in the advert).
If you do not meet the above requirements, you may still be considered if, for example:
- You've been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with parents
In such cases you will need to be able to provide referee cover for the period(s) of residence overseas. The duration of overseas residence and the country of abode will also be taken into account.
Success Profiles will enable a fairer and more inclusive method of recruitment by enabling us to assess the range of experiences, abilities, strengths, behaviours and technical/professional skills required for different roles. This flexible approach to recruitment focuses more on finding the right candidate for the specific role. To find out more about Success Profiles to support your application please click here for further guidance.
We have provided detail of the assessment stages and areas being assessed to help you prepare for completing your application form, and to advise of what will be assessed following this, if you successfully pass the application stage.
Application form stage assessments
Interview stage assessments
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 are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
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
This Vacancy is closed to applications.