About the job

Job summary

This position is based nationally

Job description

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.

Proud to Serve. Proud to keep justice going. 

Directorate: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Job Title: Magistrates Expenses Team (MET) Manager

Location: National, at any HMCTS site.

Based on current ways of working, work location is likely to be a combination of working from home and from the office, dependant on business needs.

Term: Permanent

About us   

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family Courts and Tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support our service users and colleagues within HMCTS, where people and businesses access potentially life-changing justice.  We’re looking for individuals who are committed to public service and making a difference in people’s lives to deliver justice. If you are interested in developing a career with a real purpose, please apply.  

The Magistrates Expenses Team (MET) is responsible for the administration of magistrate’s expenses. The MET Manager ensures that the administration is completed in accordance with the relevant policies and guidance. They act as a key contact for customers and judiciary, establishing working relationships with key Stakeholders across MOJ, senior colleagues, and the broader CFO team. 

About you

As a leader within HMCTS you’ll be able to provide clear direction and focus, visibly championing the changes which deliver greater efficiencies. You’ll thrive in a culture of openness and honesty, demonstrating a commitment to change through involvement, and by delivering results.

You’ll be well organised, assertive, with good analytical skills and able to prioritise a busy workload with conflicting priorities. You’ll demonstrate your communication skills and your ability to remain calm and reliable under pressure.

Frequent contact with the magistracy, working closely with Legal Operations and The Legal Admin Support structure. Liaison with Ministry of Justice policy teams, HR, Judicial Office, and external partners such as our IT and payment service providers. 

Your Key Responsibilities

• You will manage resources, staff, and facilities to ensure excellent customer service to all external and internal customers and management, ensuring all members are fully skilled to meet their work objectives.
• You will also be responsible for individual staff performance, addressing issues by applying appropriate HR policies.
• You will ensure financial accounting and personal data is appropriately managed and safeguarded as well as assign responsibilities for action and monitoring progress against plans.
• You will also monitor performance to ensure expenses are paid in a timely and appropriate manner.
• You will respond to queries from staff and stakeholders, providing prompt and accurate advice to customers, including the judiciary.
• Deal with customer complaints and resolve complex or difficult issues, ensuring these are dealt with in line with policy.
• Negotiate solutions where challenges arise and exercise judgement where discretion is appropriate.

Essential Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders and external IT providers.
• High level stakeholder engagement with judiciary and senior civil service amongst others.
• Confident in written communications with high level stakeholders.
• Ability to work in a culture of change and work with risk.
• Adaptable and able to prioritise and manage multiple workstreams.
• Knowledge of Microsoft software, particularly excel.

Further information:

Flexible working options

HMCTS offers a flexible working system in many of its offices, in line with MOJ policy.

Hybrid Working

There is a requirement for you to be 60% in office. This may change as per Business needs.

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 and equality policies.

Part time request will be reviewed and agreed on a case-by-case basis, the minimum requirement for this role is 30 hours.

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.

Person specification

Please refer to job description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,827, HM Courts and Tribunals Service contributes £8,896 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

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)
• 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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.