8273 - Presenting Officer

Ministry of Justice; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Glasgow is looking for a Presenting Officer to represent them at Appeal Hearings. This role requires excellent drafting and communication skills, alongside the ability to handle complex casework. The successful candidate will prepare responses to appeals, contribute to decision-making, and demonstrate empathy and resilience. The position offers a hybrid working model with a strong commitment to teamwork and community values.

Qualifications

• Strong decision-making and communication skills essential for the role.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with empathy.
• Proven experience in drafting complex documents would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Prepare responses to appeals for the Tribunal.
• Represent CICA at Appeal Hearings.
• Provide feedback on appeal decisions.
• Work collaboratively with legal advisers and internal teams.

Skills

Excellent drafting and oral communication skills

Analytical and investigative skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to self-manage and prioritize

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