View Vacancy - Criminal Justice Assistant

The British Government has funded a Criminal Justice Assistant (CJA) to work from Tunisia to develop criminal justice collaboration, including tackling organised immigration crime, with a view to opening investigations, dismantling networks, prosecuting offenders and pursuing the proceeds of crime.  The post is based in Tunis but involves frequent travel across Tunisia and Algeria and further afield depending on cases of interest. 

The advertised position, based in the British Embassy in Tunis, is to provide high level support through the undertaking of a range of tasks for the CJA, to support engagement with stakeholders in the criminal justice system and to support successful and timely collaboration on UK/Tunisian operations. The role will involve legal research and therefore legal or law enforcement experience is preferable. There will be a degree of autonomy in the role including reviewing, analysing and progressing work streams, identifying improvements to process and taking forward implementation on behalf of the CJA

Background:

The role is open to anyone with the independent right to reside and work in Tunisia. The role will involve close collaboration with UK Government stakeholders including NCA, Home Office, UKCA and CPS as well as key Tunisian partners, so excellent interpersonal skills are essential. A strong stakeholder focus is required. The applicant must be articulate and demonstrate initiative and the ability to work without supervision. Organisational skills are essential, as well as accuracy and an attention to detail.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• External liaison building and maintaining close working relationships with representatives of UK law enforcement across Tunisia and amongst Tunisian law enforcement and criminal justice system stakeholders.
• Specialist legal knowledge and experience needed, including autonomous legal problem solving skills to review legislation, recommend policy changes, and persuade others to adopt the same.
• High-level stakeholder engagement with the Ministry of Justice and law enforcement.
• Effectively communicating and managing relationships with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders, displaying efficiency and sensitivity.
• Effectively managing resources and being accountable to the budget holder for expenditure incurred.
• Maintaining and supporting effective working relationships with managers and colleagues.
• Managing the office in the absence of the CJA, handling enquiries or referring onwards as appropriate.
• Translation and provision of accurate and timely documents and providing linguistic support.
• Researching legal and non-legal topics as required and presenting the findings logically and coherently.
• Case management of UK Mutual legal assistance (MLA) and extradition requests including initial review and triage.
• Delivering project work to enhance bi-lateral cooperation and progress UK priorities.
• Providing administrative support in maintaining casework records and statistics for reporting purposes.
• Making travel arrangements and arranging accommodation for CJA.
• Managing Criminal Justice Advisor (CJA) diary appointments including organising meetings and conferences, preparing and distributing agendas, briefing papers and minutes.
• Preparing monthly/quarterly reports/updates.
• Representing in all meetings in Head of Sections’ absence.
• Maintaining confidentiality in all areas of work.
• High level of autonomy in exercising functions.

Key competencies required:
 
• Managing a Quality Service - Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
• Collaborating & Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Changing and Improving - People who are effective in this area are responsive, innovative and seek out opportunities to create effective change. It’s about being open to change, suggesting ideas for improvements to the way things are done, and working in ‘smarter’, more focused ways.