Lead Paralegal UK Covid19 Inquiry Team

Following an initial set up phase the Inquiry began hearing evidence in May 2023. We are now looking for an energetic and collaborative Lead Paralegal to join the excellent team that is delivering the Inquiry.
This is an exciting role, offering the opportunity to lead an innovative team, in fast moving circumstances, to ensure lessons are learned from the UK response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Further information about the Inquiry can be found on the UK Covid-19 Inquiry website.
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 conflicts of interest 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., The Inquiry sits independently of the Government with the Cabinet Office acting as the sponsoring department. We are looking for exceptional staff to join the team that will support the Chair to deliver the Inquiry. Information is at heart of what we do, and Lady Hallett is determined to make timely findings based on the evidence that she received. A rigorous approach to programme management will be central to our success in delivering a sequence of complex investigations and the Inquiry’s underpinning infrastructure.
The COVID 19 Inquiry is a top government priority, highly anticipated by the public, and we are looking for exceptional staff to join the team. The Inquiry is high-profile and will be important in identifying the lessons to be learned from the UK’s response to the Covid pandemic. The successful candidates will have the character and judgement required to navigate complex but very rewarding work.
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.
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.
The Lead Paralegal will work closely with the Solicitors team and coordinate a team of paralegals in the receipt, review, redaction and disclosure of material to Core Participants to the Inquiry. The HEO Lead Paralegal will be responsible for ensuring disclosure deadlines are met and that paralegal activities are completed to a high standard. The HEO Lead Paralegal will also play a key role in supporting the Solicitor and Counsel teams in the preparation and delivery of substantive hearings in accordance with the Inquiry’s hearing timetable. The role will include line management responsibility for a team of EO paralegals.
We are seeking organised, detailed focussed and proactive individuals who are confident working in a fast-paced environment.
Some of the key responsibilities include and are not limited to:
+ Oversee an Inquiry module(s) and manage a team of paralegals to support the Solicitor and Counsel team in the preparation and effective delivery of Inquiry hearings;
+ Coordinate, assign and carry out day to day paralegal activities, including assessment, redaction and review of material using the Inquiry’s electronic document management system (EMS);
+ Work closely and collaboratively with the Solicitor and Counsel teams to ensure arising tasks are delivered at pace;
+ Lead regular module paralegal meetings and champion effective communication and collaboration;
+ Quality assure team output and provide regular training and feedback to the paralegal team to ensure high standards are maintained;
+ Line manage a team of EO paralegals and conduct regular performance reviews and discussions to encourage professional development and promote a supportive working environment;
+ Attend the hearing centre and be prepared to work outside core hours prior to and during busy hearing periods;
+ Work closely with the information management and paralegal team to maintain excellent information management practices., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Leadership
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Working Together
+ Developing Self and Others
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Leadership
+ Delivering at Pace

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ You will be asked to complete a short redactions exercise for the technical component. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview., + A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you provide employment history that relates to the essential and desirable criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
+ A Statement of Suitability (max 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential requirements highlighted. You may also choose to reference the desirable skills listed.
+ A 250-word Behaviour Statement on Leadership
+ A 250-word Behaviour Statement on Delivering at Pace
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead Behaviour, Leadership
Selection process
The interview process will assess your behaviours and will include a technical exercise.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to complete a short redactions exercise for the technical component. Full details of this, including the topic, and whether or not you will need to use visual aids, will be sent to you prior to your interview.
Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – w/c 25th November 2024
Expected interview date/s – w/c 02 December 2024
Interview location - Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Reasonable Adjustment
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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section
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.
Please note that this role requires CTC clearance, which would normally need 3 years UK residency in the past 3 years. 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
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Current Civil Servants (all contract types) will need to ensure that they are still employed as a civil servant at the point of starting in the relevant new post. If their contract ends (e.g. end of FTA contract or resignation) at any point during the recruitment/onboarding process for the advertised role, they will no longer be eligible and may be withdrawn.
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.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
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.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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+ Strong leadership skills.
+ Strong communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels.
+ Ability to deliver at pace whilst prioritising tasks effectively and manage time efficiently.
+ Degree at 2:1 or above. Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2:1 degree. We will ONLY consider applicants who do not have a 2:1 degree in very exceptional circumstances and where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant, demonstrable experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).
Desirable skills:
+ Previous experience working on a public inquiry or other similar large scale inquiry or investigation.
+ Strong expertise of electronic document management systems, in particular Relativity.

In December 2021 Baroness Heather Hallett, a retired Appeal Court judge, was appointed by the Prime Minister as Chair of the independent public inquiry into the Covid-19 pandemic.
The UK Covid-19 Inquiry was formally established with full powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 in June 2022. The Inquiry sits independently of the Government with the Cabinet Office acting as the sponsoring department., The UK Covid-19 Inquiry was formally established by the then Prime Minister in June 2021. It is chaired by Baroness Hallett, a retired senior judge, and it exists to learn the lessons of the pandemic across a broad range of issues.

Alongside your salary of £39,684, Cabinet Office contributes £11,496 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role.
+ An environment with flexible working options.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
+ A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
+ A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.