57888 - Personal Assistant to Deputy Chamber President

£20,965 - £24,312
1
12 Months
North East
Darlington
DARLINGTON MAGISTRATES DARLINGTON, DL1 1RU
AO
AO
Permanent
Full Time
Administration / Corporate Support

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.

Location: Darlington Magistrates’ Court, Parkgate, Darlington, DL1 1RU 

Grade: Administrative Officer (AO) 

Duration: Permanent 

Salary: National: £20,965 - £21,488 

This position is available for external applicants as well as existing civil servants on level transfer or promotion.

New recruits to the Civil Service joining MoJ are expected to join at the band minimum. For existing civil servants, whilst the role itself is time limited, successful appointment on promotion will secure this grade on a substantive basis. Secondments and loans will be considered on an individual basis. 

Background: 

HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales and non-devolved tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Our vision is to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld and provides access to justice for all. 

Significant investment has been made by HM Treasury to allow HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. 

The post holder would be working as part of the Chamber Presidents’ Office wider team. We have high expectations of all our staff whatever role they play.  HMCTS is continuously adopting new or better ways of working. It is important that staff not only have good administrative skills but are willing to contribute in weekly meetings and to explore better ways of working. 

Key Purpose: 

The role is to provide PA/administrative support to the Deputy Chamber President of the First-tier Tribunal Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (SEND/CS/PHL jurisdictions). 

The key purpose of the role is to:

  • Provide support to one of the Chamber’s Deputy President including, amongst other tasks:
  • Provide excellent administrative support to the Chamber’s judicial office holders, stakeholders and customers
  • Work flexibly with managers on administrative tasks/projects as required
  • 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 with other Tribunals’ Chamber Presidents’ offices
  • The successful candidate will need to be able to work independently and to be self-motivated
  • An enhanced DBS check is required for this role 

Operational Delivery in HMCTS:

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession. Operational delivery professionals are the outward face of government, providing essential services to the public in a variety of roles. They work in many different departments and agencies across the breadth of the UK, delivering service to customers in: 

  • Face-to-face roles in HMCTS for example a court usher
  • Contact Centre roles in HMCTS for example call centre advisers
  • Processing roles in HMCTS for example Staff at the County Courts Money-Claims Centre and Courts and Tribunal Administration 

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 Responsibilities: 

Support the Deputy Chamber President: 

  • Manage the Deputy Chamber President’s (DCP) diary ensuring the calendar is kept up to date and emails are managed effectively, and important issues are highlighted and prioritised. Ensure deadlines are met and the DCP’s time is efficiently managed.
  • Arrange meetings and visits and make all necessary travel arrangements.
  • Ensure the DCP is prepared for meetings - collate papers, documents and papers
  • Arrange travel and hotel bookings in line with current policies.
  • Assist with communication across the Chamber.
  • Devise and maintain administration and operational processes and systems, including data management and filing.
  • Provide administrative support as required 

Administration: 

  • Administration for judicial office holder appraisals in this part of the Chamber
  • Entering data onto relevant IT systems
  • Using Microsoft Outlook including using the calendar and appointments tools and shared mailboxes
  • Keeping records of work using Microsoft Word and Excel.
  • Maintain accurate filing and retrieval systems.
  • Using relevant IT systems or online portals e.g. to book hotels and travel
  • Organising meetings and providing support as necessary including minute taking
  • Provide support to the judiciary as directed and needed. 

Processing & Managing Workload: 

  • Engage and work with staff across the Chamber Presidents’ Offices as required.
  • Look for ways to improve working practices 

Communication: 

  • Liaise with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations
  • To deliver a helpful, prompt, polite and “right first time” service to our internal and external customers. 

Accountability: 

  • Reporting to the Chamber President’s PA 

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. 

Essential Skills & Criteria:

  • Experience as a PA. The post holder will provide PA support to senior judges and the Deputy Chamber President, therefore experience in drafting, diary management, and minute taking are essential;
  • Experience of working across a team to deliver shared goals;
  • High standard of IT skills including use of Word, Excel (statistical returns and graphical data presentation) PowerPoint, Microsoft Office, teams and file management;
  • Well-developed administration, communication, interpersonal and organisational / work planning skills together with the ability to carry out the role with discretion. 

Application Process: 

To apply for this position please complete the online application form, ensuring you provide the following: 

Using the Success Profile STAR methodology, provide a 250-word suitability statement against each of the following Behaviours (Level 1): 

  • Delivering at Pace
  • Changing & Improving
  • Communicating & Influencing 

A 250-word Statement of Suitability is also required. To complete this, please refer to the requirements in the Essential Skills and Criteria section (above) and outline the relevant personal skills, experience, strengths and behaviours you could bring to HMCTS. 

In the event we receive a large volume of applications, we will sift using the lead Success Profile Behaviour: Delivering at Pace. 

If selected for interview, please see assessment criteria below: 

  • You will be tested against the three Success Profile Behaviours listed above
  • You will be tested against two Success Profile Strengths
  • A ‘Drafting Correspondence’ assessment will also be required. 

Interviews may also be required to be conducted via video conference. 

Further information on Success Profile Behaviours and Strengths, as well as the required standards for this post (Level 1), can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles         

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition. 

We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce and pride ourselves as being an employer of choice. To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace, visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity 

The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description. 

Security Clearance: 

This role requires a higher level of clearance – CTC (Counter Terrorist Check). An enhanced DBs check is required as part of vetting for this role.  

Terms & Conditions: 

Permanent Appointment

This is a permanent position. 

Flexible Working Options

HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices. 

Job Sharing and Reduced Hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy. 

Excess Fares and Relocation Allowances

This job is not eligible for relocation allowances, but excess fares may be considered in accordance with MoJ’s excess fares allowance policy. 

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.

Flexible working hours

The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices.

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 UKor 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

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.

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.

Interviews will be expected to be held in mid June.

24/05/2022, 23:55 hours.

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com Please quote the job reference - 57888.
Counter-Terrorism Check (CTC)
Please note the successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Security Check for this post.

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.

In the event that we receive a large volume of applications we reserve the right to conduct the sift based on one lead behaviour. The chosen lead behaviour for this campaign is Delivering at Pace.
if you feel that your application has not been treated in line with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance

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

Behaviours
Delivering at Pace - 250 word limit
Changing and Improving - 250 word limit
Communicating and Influencing - 250 word limit
Experience
Statement of Suitability - 250 word limit
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace, 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.

Interview stage assessments

There is 1 interview stage for this vacancy.
Behaviours
Delivering at Pace
Changing and Improving
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths may also be assessed at interview but these are not shared in advance.
Additional Assessment(s)
Drafting correspondence test

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.