Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor

Candidate Pack

Thank you for your interest in the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP) positions at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Delivering justice is complex and challenging, so we are looking for people who share our ability to think objectively and act in the public interest. These DCCP roles will be demanding but fulfilling for the right candidates – providing the opportunity to make a real difference to society.

You would work with a Chief Crown Prosecutor and a range of internal and external stakeholders in one of the 14 geographical Areas of the CPS. As a DCCP you would also play an important role in delivering the CPS 2020 plan which focuses on: • everyone contributing to high quality casework;

• ensuring public confidence that the CPS is fair, effective and independent;

• supporting the success of our people; and • continuously improving how we work. The role involves working with colleagues across the CPS’ geographical boundaries, as well as with partners in the wider public sector and criminal justice system.

As your career develops with us you can expect to find opportunities to progress and to tackle evermore challenging and varied work. All in a supportive and collaborative environment that has been designed so you can thrive. In this pack you will find more details about the role and guidance on how to make a successful application.

You can also find out more about working in the CPS on our website.

If you have the skills to help us deliver justice and want a fulfilling career at the heart of the criminal justice system, I would encourage you to apply.

Alison Saunders Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service

Welcome from Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders

DEPUTY CHIEF CROWN PROSECUTOR REF SSUC1046 Starting salary circa £80,000

Closing Date: Please note the closing date for submitting completed application forms is midnight 15 December 2017.

Applicants must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister, possessing a law Degree or Common Professional Examination, having completed a Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Training Course and the relevant pupillage. Current DCCP post holders share their experiences of the DCCP role:

Being a DCCP is a challenging, rewarding and fantastic role. No two days are the same. I love the strategic partnership working the role involves and the ability to influence local and national decisions. We have some amazing people in the CPS and it is a privilege to be a senior leader of them

Jo Coleman, DCCP Thames & Chiltern

The role of the DCCP is unique in its breadth, variety and opportunity to make a real difference in delivering justice. The role has inspired me and allowed me to develop into a leader with a real focus on our people so that I can support all our people to deliver the highest possible service to the communities we serve Paul Stimson, DCCP East of England

Being a DCCP has been the most challenging and demanding role I have encountered in 25 years with CPS, but it has also been the most rewarding by far. I have really enjoyed the opportunity it gives for me to influence our casework quality and service to victims, witnesses and the communities we serve. I have also relished

the opportunity to work with diverse teams of staff in various job roles

Gerallt Evans, DCCP Wales

Role Profile, Job Description and Person Specification

As a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP) you will provide visible leadership across the CPS Areas, proactively supporting your Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) and others in

delivering justice to the community. You will be responsible for a discreet area of operational business this could be within a specific geographical area or the wider CPS. You will report directly to a CCP playing a pivotal role in maximising effectiveness across an Area and the wider CPS on both casework and supporting service issues.

Within the context of the CPS’ over-arching strategic objectives, you will be accountable to a CCP for day to day operational delivery. You will provide a significant contribution to the development and direction of the CPS strategy; supporting the CCP in setting local business priorities and achieving performance in line with the Core Quality Standards.

The DCCP will support the CCP in improving and promoting the CPS’ profile, and fostering better understanding and greater confidence in the role, as well as the services provided by the CPS alongside partners in the Criminal Justice System. Where

appropriate, you will support the CCP in effectively engaging the local media in promoting the CPS. In appropriate cases, the DCCP and Head(s) of Complex Casework Units will retain the

possibility of discussing matters relating to legal decision making with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DCCP will promote CPS core values and the CPS equality and diversity agenda ensuring there are effective internal and external communications strategies in place. He/she will work collaboratively and collegiately across the Area to drive up and deliver improvements in both performance and efficiency within the Area and Criminal Justice

System, establishing a robust and seamless service, whilst ensuring consistent and clear high quality representation of CPS across the wide range of the Area’s responsibilities and relationships.

The DCCP will line manage a team in accordance with the Area structure and will undertake all line management performance and development reviews of these teams

in line with CPS policies and procedures.

In the absence of the CCP, you will deputise in his or her duties as and when required and as directed and agreed by the CCP or Director of Legal Services.

As a DCCP your role will include movement across the geographical Areas within the

CPS to support your development, grow your leadership skills and work towards the CPS2020 aims. Subject to the post holder satisfying the “general qualification” provision within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Service Act 1990, the post is designated by the Director of Public Prosecutions as a Crown Prosecutor under the terms of section 1

(3) of the prosecution of Offences Act (1985).

Areas of Accountability

Setting the Business Direction and Delivering at Pace Initially working with a specific CCP and Area Business Manager, you will significantly

contribute to the strategic Area business plan and priorities, ensuring agreed measures, interventions and actions for the successful achievement of performance targets in line with the Core Quality Standards are embedded. You will provide visible and pro-active leadership of staff, especially in driving forward and embedding change

and performance improvement. You will support the CCP in ensuring that Area strategies for HR: communications, internal and external engagement (including employee engagement) and change delivery are adhered to across the Area. You will be responsible for the effective day to day management and development of staff within the Area. Supporting the CCP, you will provide direction and guidance for all aspects of Area management, developing, leading and encouraging succession

planning across the Area as part of wider workforce capacity planning. Changing and Improving the Prosecution Service

You will actively work in partnership with the CCP and senior management team, being accountable for, where agreed, delivering the highest quality legal guidance, casework

advice and or decisions, advocacy and all aspects of prosecution service in line with

the code for Crown Prosecutors and Core Quality Standards. When and where appropriate, you will accompany the CCP to Area Performance meetings with the Directors of Legal and Business Services to account for the

performance of the Area.

You will play an active role in shaping and overseeing the strategies and case conduct of the most serious and sensitive cases in the Area. The nature of your interventions will include advising on, agreeing and redirecting case management strategies for high risk cases in the Area.

In all this, you will pro-actively support the CCP and ABM by leading implementation of change initiatives and CPS reforms, ensuring they are successfully embedded in the Area, and are compliant with all aspects of the core quality standards. You will set in place effective strategies for delivering a quality service for victims and witnesses. You will role model outstanding prosecution delivery. You will support the Area Business Manager in ensuring that Area facilities and

expertise are used to support the Area to maximise efficiencies.

You will deal with second tier complaints, conflict resolution and Parliamentary correspondence as requested to do so by the CCP.

Collaborating and Partnering to Improve Criminal Justice Across the Area The DCCP will provide full support to the CCP in driving forward change and improvements across the Local Criminal Justice System. At the direction of the CCP, you will develop, manage and be responsible for the effective governance arrangements, in partnership with key local criminal justice agencies, to ensure there is an appropriate and effective mechanism in place for improving Area and CJS

performance and efficiency. You will be accountable to the CCP for ensuring these agreed targets are met through the prescribed governance arrangements.

You will demonstrate appropriate stature, credibility and disposition to deal with the respective heads of local CJS agencies on equal terms. You will actively support the CCP in identifying and shaping the local CJS law and order priorities.

Managing a Quality Prosecution Service The DCCP will support the CCP in playing a pivotal role in raising the profile of the CPS

across the Area, ensuring internal and external stakeholder engagement strategies and

priorities are successfully delivered and the CPS is promoted locally and across the Area and local communities. You will ensure that all prosecution teams across the Area maintain a victim and witness focus in line with the Victims Code, Prosecutors Pledge and No Witness No Justice.

You will support the CCP in creating constructive and pro-active working relationships with the media and other key local opinion formers as part of the Area communications strategy for promoting the image, identity and profile of the CPS, proactively identifying, anticipating and exploiting opportunities as and when they arise. You will contribute to the design, development and delivery of local strategic plans, policies and priorities and participate actively in the implementation and evaluation of

local CJS and CPS policies.

Across the Area, you will act collegiately and collaboratively to: • Share good practice between the Area • Identify opportunities to share learning and development across the Area;

• Address local performance; • Improve Area performance through collaborative working; • Realise benefits through working together as a collegiate team across the Area.

Professional Competency Legally Qualified

• Respected and proven legal expertise, with depth and breadth of exposure.

• The post holder must be a qualified practising solicitor or barrister, possessing a law Degree or Common Professional Examination, having completed a Legal Practice Course or the Bar Vocational Training Course and the relevant pupillage.

Core Competencies The following competencies are drawn from Level 5 of the Civil Service Competency Framework Seeing the Bigger Picture

• Develop an in-depth insight into the dynamics and issues surrounding the

Department and Government, including political, economic, social, environmental and technological impacts

• Understand where the Department sits within and aligns across the Civil Service • Articulate the Department’s business model and help people see their role

within it

Changing and Improving

Identify step changes that quickly transform flexibility, responsiveness and

quality of service

Lead the transformation of services to users, moving to a digital approach

whenever possible

Create effective plans, systems and governance to manage change and

respond promptly to critical events

Leading and Communicating

• Lead from the front, ensuring visibility and communicating in a straightforward,

truthful and candid way • Inspire staff and delivery partners to engage fully with long term vision and

purpose of the Department, supporting them to make sense of change • Influence external partners, stakeholders and customers successfully – secure

mutually beneficial outcomes

Collaborating and Partnering

• Proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of connections with

colleagues across the Department, wider Civil Service and externally • Encourage teams to engage with a variety of delivery partners and stakeholders

and listen to their feedback • Build high performing teams within own area, aligned around common goals

Managing a Quality Service

• Translate complex aims into clear and manageable plans and determine

resource requirements to support implementation • Maintain and improve service by managing risks to ensure own area and

partners deliver against defined outcomes

• Work collaboratively with customers or service delivery partners to manage, monitor and deliver against service level agreements

Delivering at Pace

• Translate strategic priorities into clear outcome-focused objectives for managers

and provide the energy and drive in achievement of these objectives

• Maintain a strong focus on priorities, holding others to account for priorities and swiftly respond to changing requirements

• Act as a role model for delivery by injecting enthusiasm and energy to achieve results

Making Effective Decisions

• Take quick, confident decisions at a strategic level to move things

forward to meet organisational goals

• Ensure involvement and consultation where necessary and take decisive

action when required

• Outline direction of travel, recommendations and decisions for their

area

The CPS Values

Alongside the competencies candidates will be expected to display CPS values which will be tested at various stages of the process: We will be independent and fair • We will prosecute independently, without bias and will seek to deliver justice in every case.

We will be honest and open • We will explain our decisions, set clear standards about the service the public can

expect from us and be honest if we make a mistake.

We will treat everyone with respect • We will respect each other, our colleagues and the public we serve, recognising that there are people behind every case. We will behave professionally and strive for excellence

• We will work as one team, always seeking new and better ways to deliver the best possible service for the public. We will be efficient and responsible with tax-payers’ money.

How to Apply

Friday 15 December Closing date

w/c 18 December Short-Listing

27 December onwards Individual Psychometric Assessment (IPA)

w/c 8 January & w/c 15 January Staff Engagement Panels

w/c 5 February Legal Assessment and Panel Interviews

The recruitment process will include:

a) A full CV which demonstrates your ability to meet the criteria contained in the

Job Description, Role Profile and person specification.

It should also contain where applicable details of;

• Leadership qualities and experience, particularly across large and complex

areas;

• Experience of managing a quality service within a legal setting;

• Ensuring high standards are delivered;

• Legal experience and expertise.

b) A supporting personal statement (max 1200 words). The statement should

highlight your reasons for applying for the role, your suitability for the role

based on the Job Description and the ways in which you have demonstrated

the CPS organisational values.

The statement should also include reference to your leadership qualities and

experience against the core competences (Level 5) as set out in the Person

Specification of:

• Seeing the Big Picture

• Leading & Communicating

• Making Effective Decisions

c) Please complete and return the Candidate Application Pack which includes

space for your CV and Personal Statement along with details of two referees,

the guaranteed interview scheme, details of your nationality and equal

opportunities monitoring form. The equal opportunities data will be used for

statistical purposes only. Section 1 will not be treated as part of your

application.

d) Following the sift; successful candidates will be invited to undertake an

Individual Psychometric Assessment and attend a Staff Engagement panel.

The completed Candidate Application Pack should be returned via email to:

HR.seniorstaffing@cps.gsi.gov.uk

Please note the closing date for submitting completed application pack

including CV and Personal Statement is midnight on 15 December 2017

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. No prompt will be given if applications are submitted without the requisite information and candidates who do not submit the required documents will not be considered for the post.

The Application process is outlined above if, however, you have any queries about any aspect of the appointment process, need additional information or wish to have an informal and confidential discussion, please contact Senior HR Business Partner, Mary Devaney on 0121 262 1138 or mary.devaney@cps.gov.uk in advance of the closing date. The CPS will respect the privacy of any initial approach or expression of interest in this role, whether formal or informal.

An enhanced level of security clearance may be required for this role and successful applicants will be provided with further information of this process.

If you would be interested in attending an Open Evening to find out more about the role and speak with existing post holders then please express an interest by email to HR.seniorstaffing@cps.gsi.gov.uk no later than 1st December 2017.

Diversity & Equality The Crown Prosecution Service has an Equality and Diversity policy which aims to

create and sustain a working environment that is fair to all. Our benefits support this

and assist you to achieve a work/life balance.

Applications are welcomed from all people across all sectors of our diverse

communities and from all backgrounds. Applications are particularly welcomed from

those who are currently under- represented at different levels within the CPS.

The CPS aims to select the best people for its jobs by going beyond compliance with

equalities legislation to establishing best practice.

The Civil Service Commissioners & The Civil Service Code

The Commissioners have two key functions:

The first is to maintain the principle of selection for appointment to the Civil Service on

merit on the basis of fair and open competition. For the most senior posts in the Civil Service, the Commissioners discharge their responsibilities directly by overseeing the recruitment process and chairing the final selection panel. For more information please see http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/

The second is to promote an understanding of the Civil Service Code which sets out the constitutional framework in which all civil servants work and the values they are expected to uphold, and to hear and determine appeals made under it. For more information please see www.civilservice.gov.uk

The CPS adheres fully to the Civil Service Code; and the requirements and best

practice suggested by the Civil Service Commissioners.