UK Ministry of Defence
Defence Business Services (DBS) Case Officer
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Upavon - AFCLAA, Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA)
Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Wiltshire,SN9 6BE
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 28.97%. Where your role permits, we support a blended working approach alternatively known as hybrid working.
Come and join the DBS community today!
Job Description
The Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority (AFCLAA) is a tri-Service organisation, which sits entirely outside all Service Chains of Command, and is staffed by MOD Civil Servants.
It is responsible for all aspects of the grant and management of legal aid for Service (including ex-Service), and relevant civilian, personnel subject to Service Law and prosecuted by the SPA through the Court Martial (CM) or the Service Civilian Court (SCC); for Service appellants to the Summary Appeal Court (SAC); and for Service and relevant civilians prosecuted through overseas criminal courts, under specific circumstances.
AFCLAA’s core business is the provision of (criminal) legal aid to eligible personnel, and case management. Head AFCLAA’s responsibilities are wide ranging from matters relating to strategy and overall management of Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid, to advice on policy issues, liaison with the MOD and the single services when change is mooted; and working with the Treasury Solicitor at judicial review of legal aid cases.
The EO Case Officer post holder is responsible to Head Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority.
EO Case Officer Key Responsibilities:
- Positively promoting AFCLAA’s role and responsibilities and the principles/benefits of legal aid via monthly presentations to the Army & RAF using appropriate channels.
- One of Five Case Officers, with each Case Officer managing up to 100 live cases at any one time,
- Armed Forces Legal Aid case management, from initial invite to apply, ensuring proper and fair assessment of legal aid applications and issuing subsequent legal aid offers, through to the final settlement of fees and assessing if any refund action is appropriate after case conclusion. Ensuring all relevant procedures and timelines are met in accordance with in-house AFCLAA Case Officer Working Practices.
- Liaising with legal representatives to secure instruction and advising them or their support staff of relevant claimable fees (including timely consideration for prior authority of expert fees or expenses) as appropriate to the case.
- Negotiate and agree fees with legal representatives from other legal jurisdictions before instruction, for Overseas cases where personnel are eligible, discussing options available to secure the required outcome within financial constraints and MOD regulations.
- Responsible for the determination (review) of all bills received from legal representatives, authorisation of appropriate fees payable and for any subsequent re-determination requests where payments/deductions of the original bill are challenged. In accordance with the Criminal Legal Aid (Remuneration) Regulations, latest revise and Crown Court Fee Guidance, which are the same regulations as the civilian legal aid scheme.
- Maintain full case management and timely necessary actions for the life of the case as appropriate, in accordance with the in-house AFCLAA Case Officer Working Practices.
- Liaising with Service Units and other parties within the Service Justice System e.g. Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA); Military Court Service (MCS) (including Military Court Centre Staff) and Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC) and engage with all other key stakeholders both internally and externally when necessary to contribute to efficient and effective legal aid processes.
- Assist other Case Officers during times of absence and busy periods.
- Perform secondary duties assigned to the particular Case Officer role (e.g. maintenance of template documents; update/maintain AFCLAA briefs/rotas; SharePoint Focal Point).
- Ad Hoc duties as required by Head AFCLAA or Deputy Head AFCLAA.
- Stay up to date with all required mandated learning.
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Please be aware this post is full time and office based in the remote location of Upavon, Wiltshire, SN9 6BE with no public transport available. Interviews will likely be held on MS Teams.
Person specification
Essential
- The job entails dealing with important and sensitive documents, which demands 100% impartiality and discretion when handling casework and in dealings with all parties.
- The job holder must be a confident person who is capable of dealing with the Service chains of command at any level on sensitive issues involving all aspects of service discipline.
- Must be tactful, diplomatic and resolute in their dealings with external contractors (legal teams), internal stakeholders (including applicants and Unit support staff) and other parties within the Service Justice System.
- Must be able to work independently and as part of team and be flexible in prioritising their workload to meet urgent business deadlines under pressure. They must be methodical with a keen eye for detail and accuracy with good organisational and drafting skills.
- 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
- Prior knowledge of the Service Justice System
- Awareness of appropriate use of public funds.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
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- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- An environment with flexible working options Monday-Friday
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service (pro rata). In addition to 8 public holidays per year, you will also receive leave for His Majesty The King’s birthday
- Hybrid working where role permits
- An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition
- Family-friendly policies including - parental leave and adoption leave
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- Professional and personal development of skills
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12 month period for volunteer reserve commitments
- Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Allowances
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Employment Hours
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD 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/.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.
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