Specialist Prosecutor

As a specialist prosecutor, you will advise on and prepare the most complex and sensitive cases for prosecution. You will be required to consider cases fairly in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors assessing the risks posed to victims and the public.
Find out more about the team at the below link -
Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID) , The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)
Responsibilities
+ You will deliver justice through prosecuting the full range of serious economic and organised crime cases in a timely and professional manner, demonstrating the legal, strategic and case management skills required of a Specialist Prosecutor.
+ You will develop effective case strategies to address complex and sensitive disclosure challenges, manage international engagement and mutual legal assistance, and overcome evidential issues. This will involve working digitally in accordance with local and national digital and security processes.
+ You will deal effectively and persuasively with a wide range of people, both internally and externally, as part of a multi-skilled team or individually in order to ensure the effective and successful prosecution of cases.
+ You will demonstrate a high level of oral and written communication skills in all matters relating to the prosecution of serious, complex or sensitive cases. In particular, the ability to distil and explain legal complexities and decisions in non-legal language, draft briefings on serious and complex cases, prepare case summaries and draft complex disclosure management documents.
+ You will manage communication with victims, witnesses and communities in relation to cases for which you are accountable so as to maintain public confidence in the prosecution process. This may include drafting letters to victims, press releases and management of high risk media coverage., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Seeing the Big Picture, The recruitment process will consist of an online application, interview and assessment. The assessments will be held between 9th-11th December and the interviews are due to be carried out during the week commencing 13th January.
Both the assessment and interview stages will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch with further guidance. If you have any queries about this please contact Sophie.Cosgrove@CPS.gov.uk
Assessment
Please note, you will be asked to undertake an assessment as part of the recruitment process for this role, details of which will be provided on should you pass the shortlist stage.
Personal Statement
You will also be asked to complete a personal statement of no more than 1,250 words setting out how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, match the requirements as detailed in the Candidate Pack. You will also need to address the core behaviours for this role, detailed in the behaviours section of the candidate pack, which are;
+ Making effective decisions
+ Changing and improving
+ Communicating and influencing
+ Delivering at pace
In addition, you will need to demonstrate the following experience required for this role, detailed in the experience section of the candidate pack, which are:
+ Knowledge and experience of managing complex and sensitive cases and disclosure issues
+ Experience in dealing with international casework including mutual legal assistance
In addition you will need to demonstrate the CPS or Civil Service Values.
Please note, the panel has the right to assess the lead behaviour ‘making effective decisions’ first. If the standard on this behaviour isn’t met, the other behaviours won’t be considered and your application won’t progress. The panel also has the right to raise the minimum standard pass mark.
Please note, the panel may also refer to the lead behaviour at the interview stage to determine merit order.
CV
You will not be required to upload your CV however, when submitting your application there is a ‘CV section.’ You will be required to provide information regarding your employment and academic history, skills and qualification details for at least the past 3 years.
Please note that it is the candidate’s responsibility to provide the specified application information in the requested format to ensure that they are considered for the post.
Please note, if you are unable to cover 3 years through employment/academic, a character reference will be required for clearance purposes.
Strengths
Please note, strengths will be tested at interview stage, the strengths being tested will not be shared in advance of the interview.
Use of AI
Candidates must ensure that their applications, including personal statements and behaviour examples, are truthful and factually accurate. Please note, that plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
Other
This is a full-time post. However, requests for flexible, part-time working and job share will be considered, considering at all times the operational needs of the Department.
Clearance Required
The successful applicant will be required to secure DV clearance.
If successfully appointed, you will be asked to complete the Character Enquiry Form and Nationality and Immigration Questionnaire. As this post requires DV clearance, you will also be asked to complete the National Security Vetting form.
If you are an internal member of staff, you will not be required to undergo this DBS check as you will already hold this clearance.
The job you are applying for is covered by Article 3(a) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, consequently Section 4(2) of that Act does not apply.
For the reasons outlined above you are required to disclose all previous convictions and cautions, including spent convictions. Failure to make a full declaration will result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment if our checks reveal convictions that have not been disclosed.
To be cleared to DV clearance level the candidate has to be able to meet the residency requirement as per Cabinet Office guidance. They are as follows for CPS.
DV – 6 years within the last 10 years
Waiting List
Candidates who are recommended by the selection panel but not appointed to the current vacancy will be placed on a waiting list for 12 months and may be offered another post, should any further vacancies for a Specialist Prosecutor arise in their chosen location. CPS may also approach candidates on the waiting list to fill other roles requiring similar knowledge and experience, including in other locations.
Feedback
Feedback will not be provided until the vacancy is complete, please note that written feedback will not be provided for candidates who do not pass the application stage.
Fair Processing Notice (FPN)
From April 2018, the CPS will provide a Fair Processing Notice (FPN) to all new applicants after they have been successful at interview. These candidates will be informed that, as one aspect of pre-employment screening, their personal details – name, National Insurance Number and date of birth - will be checked against the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) and that anyone included on the IFD will be refused employment unless they can demonstrate exceptional circumstances., 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 developed vetting (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).

+ Knowledge and experience of managing complex and sensitive cases and disclosure issues
+ Experience in dealing with international casework including mutual legal assistance
You must also hold a valid practising certificate for England and Wales or be eligible to obtain a valid practising certificate, issued by either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board., Legally Qualified: The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister and must hold a valid Practising Certificate for England and Wales.
Academic: Law degree, Common Professional Examination, Graduate Diploma in Law.
Professional: Legal Practice Course or Bar Professional Training Course and have completed the relevant pupillage and training contract (or have received full exemption from the relevant professional regulatory body, either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board).
OR
CILEx: The post holder must be a Fellow of CILEx, and in addition be a CILEx Advocate/Litigator holding all three advocacy certificates providing them with a ‘general qualification’ within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990. Therefore, the holder must have a right of audience in relation to any class of proceedings in any part of the Senior Courts, or all proceedings in county courts or magistrates' courts in order to meet the requirements for a Crown Prosecutor specified by section 1 Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. Please note that if you do not hold the above CILEx qualification you are not eligible to apply for this vacancy. If you’re unsure whether you have qualified through CILEx please contact us to establish your eligibility for this role. Please note the qualification as stated is required for this role and equivalent qualifications will not be accepted., The successful applicant must have a valid practising certificate for England and Wales or be eligible to obtain a valid practising certificate issued from either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Bar Standards Board.
If CILEx qualified, must hold a ‘general qualification’ within the meaning of s.71 (3) (c) Courts and Legal Services Act 1990.

CPS is passionate about ensuring that we are a top performing organisation and a great place to work. We are committed to be an equal opportunities employer and creating a culture where everyone can bring their whole self to work and individuality is truly appreciated.
We want to ensure our employees can thrive at work and home, and offer a range of support to achieve a balance. This includes flexibility of working hours, flexibility to support caring responsibilities and a flexible approach to deployment. We offer a hybrid working policy. From September 2024, you must spend at least 40% of your contracted hours over a four-week period at court, in an office or another official workplace depending on business need and the kind of work you're doing.
This culture of inclusion is underpinned by our staff networks covering Disability, Faith and Belief, LGBTQI+, Race, Social Mobility alongside our Mental Health First Aiders Programme and Wellbeing Sessions.
CPS commits to offer its employees the following experience
+ Impactful, purposeful work – making a difference to your local communities
+ The ability to learn and grow, with access to the right opportunities and resources
+ To care about your wellbeing
+ To feel valued, trusted and included
We also offer the following range of benefits:
+ Civil Service Pension
+ Access to employee savings
+ Cycle2Work scheme
+ 25 days leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
+ 1 extra privilege day entitlement to mark the King’s Birthday.
+ Competitive maternity, paternity and parental leave
+ Flexible working and a family friendly approach to work.
+ Childcare vouchers unless already registered with the Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme
Diversity at the Crown Prosecution Service is about inclusion, embracing differences and ensuring our workforce truly reflects the communities we serve. We want you to feel that you belong and can thrive, whatever your background, identity or culture. As a Disability Confident employer, we're happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments and improve your recruitment experience. If you'd like any reasonable adjustments made to our recruitment process, let us know within your application or contact Sophie.Cosgrove@CPS.gov.uk

Alongside your salary of £65,400, Crown Prosecution Service contributes £18,946 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.