Litigation Caseworker in City of Westminster

The post holder is responsible for ensuring public sector prison litigation from offenders, staff and third parties is managed effectively and in the best interests of the HMPPS. The post holder manages their own caseload and reports to the Litigation Manager: PSP Litigation Team. The post holder will be responsible for administrating processes within the PSP Litigation Team, assisting the management of litigation processes ensuring data integrity, adhering to financial principles, policy and procedures. They will provide accurate and reliable litigation management information to support performance measures within Region. This is a non-operational job without line management responsibilities., The post holder is responsible for administration and maintaining oversight of litigation against the HMPPS. Many of these cases will be high profile matters that present significant financial, operational and reputational risks for HMPPS. The post holder will need to liaise with numerous stakeholders in HMPPS and the wider MOJ, including prison and probation staff, policy colleagues and HMPPS appointed legal advisors. In addition the post holder will be required to liaise on a daily basis with lawyers, claims handlers and, on occasion, barristers. The post holder will be expected to ensure, so far as is possible, that a consistent and coherent approach is adopted to litigation and the right instructions are provided to lawyers and claims handlers to protect the interests of HMPPS and deliver savings. The post holder will also be required to identify high risk cases, potential trends and information gaps and bring these to the attention of their managers and/or other stakeholders.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Contribute toward the development of PSP policy, procedures and practise and ensure consistency of application.
• Contribute to the achievement of Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) and standards within work area, verifying and signing off documentation as appropriate.
• Attend relevant team meetings as and when required to provide feedback on good practice examples, to promote awareness for better and more efficient ways of working.
• Act as a point of contact for relevant external stakeholders.
• Act as requisitioner or approver dependant on policy.
• Personally manage litigation cases. The job holder will have to consider evidence, along with legal advice and provide instructions to claims handlers and lawyers to ensure a consistent and proportionate response to claims brought against HMPPS in an attempt to reduce litigation spend.
• Seek approval in line with delegated authority levels within the Finance Manual.
• Represent HMPPS at case conferences with Counsel ensuring that the interests of the Ministry of Justice are protected.
• Act as a source of advice and assistance for colleagues managing litigation (HMPPS appointed solicitors and the relevant managers within establishments/Region). Provide support and advice to ensure a consistent approach and share learning.
• Personally manage a caseload that includes some high risk and occasionally high profile cases, ensuring that the reputation and interests of HMPPS are protected. Brief Governors, Deputy Directors and Directors as required through the management chain.
• Assess claims and make recommendations with regard to evidence collected, business risk, cost and expected outcomes.
• Provide advice on policy changes following analysis of litigation case outcomes and Judicial Reviews.
• Instruct/liaise with HMPPS appointed legal advisors to provide support and advice on the prison environment.
• Analyse caseloads within PSP Litigation Team and prepare reports on trends and case outcomes.
• Disseminate learning from litigation on a case by case basis so as to promote best practice within the team and across HMPPS.
• Contribute to improving the efficiency of the team by actively participating in team meetings, contributing ideas and views.
• Engage with a range of business areas across establishments, Region, HMPPS and in MOJ, raising litigation awareness and maintaining the good reputation of the Team.
• Ensure the approved IT case management system is updated and accurate so as to enable accurate reports to be generated on numbers, outcomes and spend.
• Provide input and support to ensure the PSP and national business plan objectives are achieved.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Hybrid Working

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. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS 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 HMPPS' Flexible Working policy. If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff. The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Behaviour and Attributes

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Technical Requirements

• Good IT skills ensuring that related electronic systems are accurately populated.
• Conversant with programmes such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Ability

• Able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise workload in line with demand.

Additional Information

This role will provide litigation casework support, as required, across the North Delivery Arm.

Behaviour Application Process

A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, 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 500 Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Working Together Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Developing Self and Others, Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Working Together Changing and Improving Managing a Quality Service Developing Self and Others Level of security checks required DBS Standard.

Recruitment Process and Contact

The national salary range is £34,440, London salary range is £37,872 - £39,658. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, Annual Leave -The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro‑ratio basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case. Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays -You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment Pension -The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Work Life Balance HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ Season Ticket Advance -After two months' service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer‑period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work Childcare Vouchers For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers Training HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes -There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts -All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles Eligibility -All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post -All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS -All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist 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 5358 (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. 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. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

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'.

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