DBS AFVS-MilOps-AFCLAA-Hd

Job summary

Are you a dedicated person who is passionate about making a difference?

Would you like to work for the Ministry of Defence?

Defence Business Services (DBS) is one of the largest shared service organisations in Europe that provides a wide range of corporate services, to over 1.2 million end users, including serving and past military and families, as well as MoD civil servants and industry. DBS delivers large scale administration and smaller specialist services to enable the wider MOD to focus on its core aims, maintaining the UK’s Defence and Security. Services include Human Resources, Pay, Veterans, Finance and Procurement.

• Our Vision - To support UK defence customers with outstanding service every time.
• Our Mission - Together we will proudly support Defence, continuously improving and delivering flexible, timely, sustainable and value for money services that underpin the whole force and enhance operational capability.

DBS is committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues. We are building an inclusive culture and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us through opportunities to develop your skills and experience. We also offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career accessible to you and offer a Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.

Come and join the DBS community today!

Job description

Comprised of a small team of civil servants, The Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA) primary purpose is to manage the provision of civilian criminal legal representation for all eligible service personnel and civilians, advising on and executing policy.

AFCLAA is a single authority dealing with all aspects of criminal legal aid for those prosecuted through the Service Criminal Justice System, covering all types of offences from minor service discipline offences through to major offences of a criminal nature. The authority is part of Defence Business Services and remains a statutory authority to retain independence from the Service Prosecuting Authorities, the single service personnel departments and other agencies involved with service discipline.

The SEO role requires someone who is highly motivated with sound judgement, the ability to write, interpret and implement policy. Strong stakeholder engagement skills are essential as you will be working closely with key stakeholders within the Service Justice System to ensure AFCLAA’s statutory responsibilities for legal aid, instruction of representatives, and compliance with the Judge Advocate General’s Better Case Management directive and Service Regulations are met.

Based in Upavon, with 60% mandatory attendance in the workplace, this role offers professional challenge, with the opportunity to attend all stages of the military legal processes to help develop and build your knowledge and skill set, and to contribute meaningfully to the journey of the defendant through the court process within the Service Justice System.

The key areas of responsibility include:

• Responsible to Deputy Head Mil Ops for all Tri-Service Armed Forces (& MOD/dependent personnel overseas) Legal Aid Casework.
• Ensure Case Officers within the Department receive suitable on the job training to provide appropriate case management across a range of cases (e.g. AWOL to Murder), consistent with Civilian Legal Aid regulations. Provide specific training on a case-by-case basis according to the need or circumstance e.g. Chain of Command funding, anonymity issues; appeals to the CMAC and all other additional costs/proceedings.

• Ensure staff accurately and consistently apply legal aid regulations in stringent taxation of legal bills; assessment of applicant’s contributions versus costs; authorisation of refunds as appropriate (according to outcome/costs). Oversee all areas of legal aid management, including legal fees and related costs; applicant’s means tested contributions; branch admin budget and making justified decisions where excess spending or deviations from legal aid policy may be necessary.

• Compile/analyse legal aid statistics monthly for tri-Service legal and all other interested parties within specified timelines. Provide Operational Planning data.

• Manage AFCLAA’s case management system, ensure records are accurate and follow current data protection regulations; carry out data cleansing exercise in accordance with retention policy.

• Produce and promulgate Policy, Rules and Guidance on the Armed Forces Legal Aid Scheme (AFLAS) through the appropriate channels. Regularly review JSP 838 Policy & Procedures to ensure legal aid regulations are kept current and in parity with the Civilian Legal Aid Scheme in England and Wales and other Government directions.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on Legal Aid and related policy/statute issues, including Single, Tri-Service and Civil Service departments; MODLA (input to consultations); DJEP (developing policy); OJAG/Judiciary; MOJ, Association of Military Court Advocates (AMCA) as part of the reviewing policy process.

• Respond to Parliamentary Questions and other Ministerial enquiries regarding Legal Aid matters and policy, providing statistical data within specified timelines. Provide comment on Defence Information Notices where AFCLAA have direct involvement for review/re-write purposes.

• Review in-house working practices and empower staff to take responsibility for improvements to AFCLAA procedures when administering legal aid; taking into consideration the modern practices and culture within the tri-Service environment and implementing changes where possible.

Person specification

Essential Skills & Experience:

• The job entails dealing with important legal documents, which demand attention to detail and accuracy.
• Complete impartiality is essential when handling casework and in all dealings with parties.
• The job holder must be able to work under pressure, be flexible and have a good eye for detail.
• The job holder must have the presence, credibility and personality to be able to deal authoritatively with the chain of command and civilian organisations when making necessary arrangements for legal administration.
• As well as carrying out routine clerical work, the job holder must be prepared to help in other areas of AFCLAA in the absence of other members of staff.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of leading and managing a team
• A high standard of communication, both written and oral, to support strategic outputs.
• Ability to interpret policy, assess information from multiple sources, and apply it accurately.

Previous experience of the Service Justice System is highly desirable.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Developing Self and Others

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership
• Changing and Improving

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,040, Ministry of Defence contributes £13,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.