Paralegal

The Solicitor to the Inquiry is an integral part of the workings of Inquiry, providing advice to the chair, panel and secretariat to support the effective delivery of the Inquiry remit. A team of paralegals will join the solicitor’s team to support the solicitor to the Inquiry deliver his work. The jobholder will be responsible for: 

• Using the Inquiry's electronic document management system (EMS) to prepare/review documents that have been provided to the Inquiry by core participants and other individuals and organisations 
• Describing documents and completing metadata coding requirements on the EMS 
• Assessing the relevance of a document to the Inquiry's work and indicating where a document relates to one or more of the Inquiry's current investigations 
• Identifying information within a document that constitutes personal data within the meaning of the Data Protection Act 1998 and applying redactions to said data 
• Applying other redactions as instructed by the Solicitor's team in accordance with the provisions in the Inquiries Act 2005 and Inquiry Rules 2006 
• Preparing documentation for disclosure. 
• Preparing hearing bundles 

Person specification

Essential criteria 

The jobholder must demonstrate the following essential criteria in their application job history. The panel will initially shortlist based on demonstration of these essential criteria in the job history alone. 

• First degree at 2:2 or above 
• Experience of working in a legal environment 

If, and only if, this essential criteria is clearly demonstrated in your job history, you will then be shortlisted for the panel to consider your job competencies. 

Desirable criteria 

• High level of academic achievement 
• Academic background in law 
• Previous experience working on a public inquiry or other similar large scale inquiry or investigation 
• Experience working with electronic document management systems (EMS) 

The role will also require Security Check (SC) clearance, therefore holding existing SC clearance is desirable. If you currently hold SC clearance please demonstrate this in your job history. 

Qualifications 

• Law degree of GDL essential 
• LPC or BVC desirable 

Background 

Working for the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, you will be part of the most important and high profile public inquiry ever established. The work that we do will reach into every level of English and Welsh society- government, health and education institutions, private institutions and religious institutions - leaving no stone unturned to identify, understand, and learn from the institutional failings that allowed child sexual abuse to happen in the past. Most importantly, our work will make recommendations to prevent child sexual abuse from happening in the future. 

The Independent Inquiry was set up by the Home Secretary, and is led by the Inquiry panel, chaired by Professor Alexis Jay OBE. The panel are supported by a committed Secretariat team, of which this role is a key part. For more information about the IICSA please look at our website: https://www.iicsa.org.uk

Notes for candidates 

All roles within IICSA require Security Clearance. In most cases, to undergo this Security Clearance vetting you will need to have been resident within the UK for the past five years. Whilst DBS is not currently a requirement for this role, due to the dynamic nature of the Inquiry you may be requested to pass a DBS check further into your employment. 

This role is time limited, and the reason why the role is for a fixed period is because the Inquiry is a time-limited project, to complete a finite piece of work. This post is therefore offered on a fixed term appointment basis, or loan for existing civil servants. 

If you are an existing civil servant, you will need to ensure you have approval to be released on loan before applying. 

Qualifications

First degree at 2:2 or above

Competencies

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

• Delivering at pace

Benefits

Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

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. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Contact point for applicants

Please contact [email protected] 

Please visit the government civil service jobs website to apply.

Sift/interview dates and location

The sift will take place on 27 January 2017, and interviews will take place on 3 February 2017, location to be confirmed. 

Further information

For further information please see the attached notes for candidates. 

Existing Civil Servants should note that some of the Home Office terms and conditions of employment have changed. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the Terms and Conditions they will adopt should they be successful in application and should refer to the notes for candidates for further details. 

Transfer Terms: Voluntary 

If you are invited to interview you will be required to present your current valid passport together with a range of other forms of identification at interview.