Description Looking to join a small, friendly and collegiate Division within The Office of the Advocate General? The Office of the Advocate General is the UK Government’s Scottish legal team and the HMRC Division (one of four Divisions) provides legal services to HMRC in Scotland. We place a strong emphasis on building good relationships with HMRC colleagues. HMRC Division’s work is litigation-focussed and includes handling appeals to the First Tier Tribunal (Tax Chamber), the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber), the Outer House (Judicial Reviews) and Inner House of the Court of Session and the Supreme Court, all on behalf of HMRC. This role involves working collaboratively across the three branches within the Division, in addition to learning about and working with the other Divisions within the office: Devolution & General Litigation, Advisory & Legislation and Legal Secretariat to the Advocate General. We also undertake sheriff court actions associated with HMRC’s fraud investigation function, such as Account Freezing Orders, National Minimum Wage enforcement and advise to HMRC in relation to debt management. In addition, the Division has access to extensive training opportunities provided both by the UK and Scottish Governments. You will be well supported by all colleagues and could shape the role and work with the solicitors in the Division to maximise efficiency and service levels. More information on the work of the Office of the Advocate General can be viewed here. Responsibilities Responsibilities Providing high quality, proactive and effective advice and support to solicitors in their conduct of litigation including by drafting supporting court documents, arranging for service of court documents, compiling bundles of documents for hearings in courts and tribunals and liaising with and instructing counsel to act on behalf of HMRC in some cases. Taking ownership for the timely and accurate completion of streamlined court processes, including Simple Procedure court cases in the area of National Minimum Wage. Timely and professional communication with clients, colleagues, court and tribunal clerks and counsel in connection with litigation. Sharing responsibility for managing the Office’s Legal Services inbox. This will include proactively and effectively dealing with the items in the inbox, processing specifications of documents and other court orders served on UK government departments in Scotland, and assisting with the allocation of outsourced litigation work for UK government departments. Contributing to and assisting colleagues with the review and continuous improvement of the existing Knowledge Bank. Qualifications Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Experience: An ability to organise and manage your own workload in a flexible way to respond to competing and changing priorities and deadlines. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing – Level 2 Working Together – Level 2 Delivering at Pace - Level 2 Making Effective Decisions - Level 2 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here. How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. To help prepare the strongest application possible we encourage all applicants to read the following tips and guidance. Stage one (application sift): Candidates will have their applications assessed against all success profile criteria listed above unless there is a large number of applications, in which case, the following process will apply. An initial sift will be conducted using the CV and supporting statement on the Experience criteria as listed above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. Stage two (interview and assessment): If successful at application sift, you will be invited for further assessment, which will consist of an interview and presentation, where we will test all criteria listed above. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 10th March or 17th March however this may be subject to change. About Us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules. Working Pattern Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. OAG has offices in Queen Elizabeth House, the UK Government Hub situated near Waverley station, and Dover House in London. This role is based in Queen Elizabeth House. OAG currently operates a hybrid working model. All staff are expected to attend the office when business needs require and to spend at least 40% of their working time in the office or on official business (measured over a four-week period). If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact the Hiring Manager. Equality Statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. For information on this post please contact Hiring Manager by email at eilidh.smithadvocategeneral.gov.uk Apply before: 27th February (23:59)