About this role
This vacancy is only available to existing Civil Servant employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs). Please review the "Eligibility" section before you apply.
### Salary
The national salary range is £58,511 - £65,329, London salary range is £63,343 - £70,725 Your salary will be dependent on your base location
Job description
Job Title & Grade: Litigation and Investigation Strategy Lead, Grade 7
Contract Type: Temporary (24-months)
Salary range (depending on location):
National -£58,511 to £65,329
London - £63,343 to £70,725
Please note that unless you are currently employed by the Civil Service and are earning more than the minimum above, if successful you will be offered the minimum for the grade depending on your location.
Location: National (any LAA office)
Please note that whilst this role is open to all Civil Service staff, you can only apply for London, Cambridge and Brighton offices if you are a current LAA staff member based in those offices. This is due to and in line with the LAA's Location Strategy and the Cabinet Office's Places for Growth Strategy.
Important information for candidates choosing the Liverpool office (**remove if Liverpool is not an option**)
If you are successful and choose to be based in our Liverpool office , you will be required to complete Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) clearance in addition to our standard pre-employment checks.
To obtain CTC clearance, you must meet the current National Security Vetting residency requirements. Under Central Government policy, applicants must normally have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years to be eligible for this level of clearance.
Please consider this requirement carefully when applying if Liverpool is your preferred location.
Minimum Working Pattern:
If you are applying for a part-time role, please note that to meet business demands we need cover for a minimum of 30 hours and to cover 4 days of the week
The Legal Aid Agency
We are an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). We are responsible for operationally administering the legal aid fund to provide criminal and civil legal aid advice to people in England and Wales .
Our people are at the heart of achieving excellence. Employing around 1,200 colleagues across England and Wales, we feel proud to have some of the best People Survey results in the Civil Service.
Cyber-Attack Investigation and Litigation Team
The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) is leading the Ministry of Justice's response to the legal and regulatory consequences of the significant cyber-attack experienced in 2025. The incident presents one of the most complex operational, legal and reputational challenges faced by the department, requiring coordinated leadership across litigation, regulatory investigation, operational delivery and strategic governance.
Job Summary
We are recruiting a Grade 7 Litigation and Investigation Strategy Leads to play a key role in delivering the department's response. Reporting to the Head of Litigation Investigation Strategy and Response (Grade 6), postholders will lead significant and high-profile workstreams that support litigation, regulatory investigations and wider programme delivery.
The programme is expected to evolve over time and, as a result, successful candidates will be allocated to specific portfolios following appointment. Portfolios will be matched to individual skills, experience and development objectives, and may change as programme priorities evolve. Examples of portfolios include litigation strategy, regulatory engagement, governance and assurance, evidence and data, stakeholder management, operational delivery, communications and parliamentary business.
Working in a fast-paced and highly scrutinised environment, postholders will provide strategic leadership within their portfolio, delivering complex pieces of work, managing risk and ensuring high-quality outcomes that support the department's overall response.
This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to one of the most significant cross-government responses affecting the justice system while helping protect vulnerable service users and strengthen future organisational resilience.
This programme comprises several interconnected workstreams. The successful candidate will be allocated to a specific portfolio following appointment, taking account of business need, individual skills and experience, and development opportunities. Portfolios may evolve over time as programme priorities change, and postholders will be expected to work flexibly across the programme where required.
Key Responsibilities:
Depending on portfolio allocation, postholders will:
Strategic Delivery
- Lead one or more significant workstreams within the Litigation Investigation Strategy and Response Programme, ensuring delivery of agreed objectives and priorities.
- Translate strategic direction into effective delivery plans, monitoring progress and adapting to changing priorities and emerging risks.
- Provide expert advice and recommendations to the Joint Heads and senior leaders on complex issues within their area of responsibility.
Litigation, Investigation and Regulatory Support
- Lead delivery of work supporting litigation strategy, regulatory investigations or related operational activity.
- Develop high-quality evidence, analysis and briefing to support legal proceedings, regulatory engagement and strategic decision-making.
- Work closely with Government Legal Department, external legal providers and specialist colleagues to ensure coordinated delivery.
Governance, Risk and Assurance
- Identify and manage risks within allocated portfolios, ensuring appropriate governance and timely escalation of significant issues.
- Contribute to programme governance through high-quality reporting, assurance and performance management.
- Support effective financial management and value for money across programme activities where appropriate.
Stakeholder Management
- Build productive relationships across the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Agency, wider government and external organisations.
- Represent the programme at meetings and working groups, influencing stakeholders and securing collaborative solutions.
- Produce high-quality briefings, submissions, Parliamentary material and senior communications.
Leadership
- Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, inclusion and continuous improvement.
- Support the professional development of colleagues through coaching, mentoring and effective performance management.
- Promote wellbeing and create an environment where people can perform at their best during a sustained period of high operational demand.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and skills
- Experience leading delivery of complex programmes, projects or workstreams in legal, regulatory, operational or similarly complex environments.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex evidence to inform decisions and solve challenging problems.
- Experience managing risks, priorities and competing demands while delivering high-quality outcomes to tight deadlines.
- Effective communication skills, including preparing clear advice and briefings for senior leaders and a range of stakeholders.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with experience working collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
- Experience leading, motivating and developing teams or multidisciplinary groups to deliver shared objectives.
- The ability to adapt quickly, exercise sound judgement and respond effectively in a changing, high-profile environment.
Desirable Knowledge, Experience and skills
- Knowledge of litigation, investigations or regulatory processes.
- Knowledge of UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018 or information rights legislation.
- Experience responding to major incidents, cyber incidents or complex operational challenges.
- Experience working within the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Agency or wider Civil Service.
- Experience managing external suppliers or professional service providers.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will be:
- A collaborative leader who can build strong relationships and deliver through partnership across organisational boundaries.
- An effective communicator, able to explain complex issues clearly and influence a range of audiences.
- A confident and resilient problem solver, exercising sound judgement under pressure and adapting to changing priorities.
- Organised and delivery-focused, with the ability to balance competing demands while maintaining quality and attention to detail.
- Committed to inclusive leadership, continuous improvement and delivering excellent public service.
Assessment approach
Application Process
To apply please provide a statement of suitability showing how you meet the essential criteria in no more that 750 words.
Your statement should demonstrate your ability to do all the essential criteria listed, using examples can help strengthen your application.
Please note we do not require a CV.
Please note that we only require a Statement of Suitability for your application. The wording on this advert may suggest that an Experience question is also required, however this is not necessary.
Interview / assessment Process
If you are successful through the application stage, you will be invited to an interview / assessment centre in person or via Microsoft Teams where you will be assessed against the following:
Strengths relevant to the role
The following Behaviours:
- Seeing the Bigger Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Your Experience of implementing, promoting, or understanding diversity and inclusion policy - Diversity is the presence of difference, this can include one or more of the protected characteristics (Gender, Age, Race, Disability etc.) or it can be about working patterns, whether we like to jump into a task or reflect on it before acting. Inclusion is how we welcome, value, and celebrate diversity, giving everyone a voice, tapping into ideas, and enabling everyone to be themselves at work and achieve their potential.
For this grade/ role we would expect the candidate to demonstrate understanding of the terms Diversity and Inclusion and be able to explain why they are important in a work environment. We would also expect examples of action they have taken to embrace diversity (e.g., increasing understanding for self or others) or improve inclusion at a departmental level.
Shortlisting is planned for week commencing 26th October.
Interviews are planned for week commencing 9th and 16th November.
If you would like more information on this opportunity, please contact Stewart McGill ([email protected]).
Our LAA commitment to 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
As a Disability Confident organisation, we will offer a guaranteed interview to candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria for this role. Under the Equality Act 2010 a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities which has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months.
If you are responding to a role within the Legal Aid Agency and would like to be considered under the guaranteed interview, please indicate this in your application and let us know of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the sift or later selection processes.
The LAA’s goal is to build an organisation that is open and inclusive and truly values and celebrates the diversity of its workforce. One that reflects and understands the needs of the diverse society we serve. This is regardless of social background, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, beliefs, disabilities or long-term illness or caring responsibilities.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long-term condition (for example dyslexia, anxiety, autism, a mobility condition or hearing loss) and need us to make any reasonable adjustments to support you through the recruitment process, please let us know by adding the information to the applications system or emailing [email protected] after you have applied so that we can discuss options with you.
Complaints procedure
If you have any complaints about this recruitment activity, please share your concerns by emailing [email protected] initially. We aim to respond to any complaint within 10 working days.
Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) – See Map . All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity).
For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location’s respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended).
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.
MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer.
All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet.
Flexible working hours
The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy.
Benefits
The MoJ offers a range of benefits:
Annual Leave
Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service.
There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Pension
The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
Training
The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.
Networks
The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees.
Eligibility
Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition.
Vacancies advertised “cross-government” are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules.
Support
- A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.
- Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
- For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www. www.GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/tax-free-childcare) or Childcare Choices (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/) . You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ .
- Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
- Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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 . Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing team ( [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) );
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/) )
As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.
You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.
For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos .
Diversity & 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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.
MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.
Civil Service Nationality Rules
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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families (https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fsettled-status-eu-citizens-families&data=05%7C01%7Cchristopher.jeffery%40soprasteria.com%7C8a2293860362402c15da08dbf4cff146%7C8b87af7d86474dc78df45f69a2011bb5%7C0%7C0%7C638372946312587803%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=s%2BxUsev%2BGeeK%2FLgTUjpjfTJu%2FjpKQZ%2BQPJXNduvik3Q%3D&reserved=0)
- 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) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules
Reserve list
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.
Contact Information
MoJ:
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22995
HMPPS
If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail [email protected]
Please quote the job reference 22995
Your Experience for this role will be assessed at interview. To learn more about Experience and how they are assessed please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-experience).
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles/success-profiles-strengths).
Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.