About the job

Job summary

We are looking for exceptional staff to join the UK public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic, to learn lessons and better protect the people of the UK.  From being announced in 2021 to full public hearings, which have now commenced, the Inquiry continues to move at pace and make national news.  The pandemic affected everyone in different ways.  In order to hear from those who suffered hardship and loss, and scrutinise both the decision making and impact, there is a significant amount of work to be undertaken.

Whilst the Inquiry team is well established, we are looking for a Head of Paralegal Team.  This is an exciting opportunity to join an inclusive, innovative team where you will be supported to challenge yourself in often ambiguous circumstances. The team encourages working in a flexible, collaborative manner to learn and support each other as we look to undertake one of the broadest, most publicly anticipated inquiries in UK history. Working at pace and often with competing deadlines, resilience is key, both in managing competing deadlines and working with emotionally challenging content, but for the right candidate this is a once-in-a-career role where you will be supported to reach your potential while delivering for the public good through this historic inquiry.

We are sponsored by the Cabinet Office, however the Inquiry sits independently from the Government. 

Conflicts of interest 

Please note that candidates invited to interview will be invited to declare any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interests which could affect the independence of the Inquiry, in confidence, to the senior recruiting manager. This may include current or prior work undertaken on the COVID-19 pandemic response. Decisions on any potential conflict of interest will be made before an appointment to the role is confirmed.

Job description

The legal team which comprises Counsel and Solicitor to the Inquiry is an integral part of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, providing advice to the Chair and Secretariat to support the effective delivery of the Inquiry.

The Paralegal team will support the Solicitor to the Inquiry and his team to deliver their work to fulfil the Inquiry’s terms of reference.

Working to the Head of Legal Operations, the Head of the Paralegal Team will work closely with the Solicitors team and Evidence Management team to develop and implement the strategy and delivery of the disclosure of evidence provided by material providers to the Inquiry. You will provide leadership to the Paralegal team, ensuring a cohesive workforce planning strategy and will have line management responsibility for two SEO Paralegal Managers, countersigning responsibility for 6 HEO lead paralegals, and oversight of a team of c.50-70 paralegals at any one time, some of whom are external contractors.

Your responsibility will include but are not limited to:

• Oversight of paralegal team activities focusing on creating a positive, supportive working culture and displaying exceptionally strong leadership in a fast paced and high pressure environment
• Allocation and forecasting of paralegal resource, leading on management of regular recruitment rounds
• Revising review processes and identifying efficiencies to create a culture of continuous improvement
• Working closely with the Evidence Management team to champion good information practices across the team
• Line Management of 2 Paralegal Managers and heading a team of 50-70 paralegals some of whom are external contractors 
• Liaising with senior colleagues across the Inquiry to ensure delivery of the hearing timetable and deal with emerging issues

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Ability to solve complex issues related to eDiscovery systems
• Previous experience of drafting and implementing redaction processes, and working across multidisciplinary teams to ensure such processes remain fit for purpose.
• Experience of leading and motivating a team, particularly in a fast-paced and challenging environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the confidence and credibility to provide constructive challenge to those in senior roles.

The role is a hybrid opportunity with a minimum of 2 days required in the London based office. Daily in person attendance will be required throughout busy hearing periods.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working on a public inquiry or other similar large-scale inquiry or investigation.
• Previous experience of using Relativity as eDiscovery solution.
• A legal qualification or academic background in law would be an advantage but is not essential.

Additional information:

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. Although requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,800, Cabinet Office contributes £15,876 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application process

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please upload your CV and employment history. You should also provide a Personal Statement of no more than 750 words which should address the essential criteria and demonstrate the areas outlined in the person specification listed above. You should also outline your motivation for applying for the role.

You will also need to submit:

• A 250-word Behaviour Statement on Leadership
• A 250-word Behaviour Statement on Delivering at Pace

Selection process

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using your personal statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

If you are successful in securing an interview you will be asked questions on the behaviours listed within the advert and about your relevant experience. You will also be tested on a technical skill, the details of which will be shared ahead of the interview.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date – w/c 22/01/24 
Expected interview date/s – w/c 05/02/24
Interview location - Remote, online

Further information

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency prior to submitting your application. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 
• Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'contact point for applicants' section.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.