Candidate brief for the position of Crown Counsel (Civil & Public Childcare)

Island of Saint Helena

Dear Candidate

Thank you for your interest in the role of Crown Counsel (Civil & Public Childcare) within the Public Solicitor’s Office.

I believe that this is an exceptional opportunity, offering the right individual a good quality of life alongside a role where you will need to apply objective judgement and deal sensitively with issues.

We seek a Crown Counsel (Civil & Public Childcare) to support the Attorney General’s Chambers in providing advisory and litigation support in relation to public childcare related work and specifically working directly with Social Services. Additionally the candidate will be able to provide general advice in relation to a wide range of civil legal queries.

We are an Overseas Territory of the UK and have a strong partnership with the UK Government. In early 2016 we will have an airport. This will lead to a host of new opportunities for St Helena as well as presenting a series of challenges to our public services as we work to develop our economy. Although a remote island, we do not operate in isolation from the rest of the world. We take considerable pride in our achievements on the island.

The ideal candidate for this role will be a solicitor UK Solicitor or Barrister of at least 5 years call/ PQE, with substantial experience of advice and advocacy in public childcare and safeguarding work, preferably Panel member, including experience of working in public sector organisations.

St Helena is an extraordinary place to live and work. You will find further information about the place and the role in this information pack and I would encourage you to talk to our HR Section if you have any questions. We look forward to reviewing your application.

Best wishes,

Barbara George

Head of Human Resources

The island of St Helena is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom located in the South Atlantic approximately 4,000 miles from the UK. The Government comprises a Governor (who is appointed by the Crown) an Executive Council, which has the general control and direction of Government, and a Legislative Council. The Governor retains responsibility for internal security, external affairs, defence, the public service, finance and shipping.

The island’s population is around 4,500 and it has a typical small island economy with a high import dependency, a narrow economic base, a large public sector (around 790 staff), and significant outward labour migration. Over half of its recurrent public expenditure and 90 percent of capital expenditure are funded by British budgetary aid as the UK has an obligation to ensure that the reasonable needs of the population are met. Economic development is constrained by St Helena’s extreme isolation, its small and, until recently, declining population, and a lack of significant natural resources.

Jamestown, the capital of Saint Helena

View of Diana’s Peak, highest point on Saint Helena

Jamestown, the capital of Saint Helena

The overall vision of the St Helena Government (SHG) is:

Strengthened community and family life through vibrant economic growth, with opportunities for all to participate, within a framework of effective government and law.

To support this vision there are three National Goals:

A vibrant economy providing opportunities for all to participate Strong community and family life Effective management of the environment

In November 2011 the UK Government agreed to fund an airport. A construction contract has been signed, and the airport will be operational from February 2016. We are more than half way through the construction stage and this major project has already had a significant impact on St Helena’s economic prospects and a dramatic impact on the island community, bringing a period of accelerated social and economic change. Unemployment stands at virtually zero and Government revenues are significantly increased.

Achievement of the Goals and Strategic Objectives will require sound management and transformation of the public sector to make it a professional, modern, and flexible organisation able to initiate and respond to change.

The Government of St Helena is embedding a modernisation programme that will enable the Public Service to improve its delivery of the government’s developmental objectives. Central to this programme has been the re-structuring of Government functions and directorates. Improving financial management also forms part of this change programme with the Government adopting medium term financial planning (MTEF) and financial reporting an accruals basis in accordance with the International Standards on Public Sector Accounting (IPSAS).

A pod of dolphins

Role Profile

Crown Counsel(Civil & Public Childcare)

Package £40k plus tax free benefits for cost of living, rent, utilities, freight, transport, relocationand storage. (Please see OSVI for the poston the sthelenacareers.com website.)

To support the support the Attorney General’s Chambers in providing advisory and litigation support in relation to public childcare related

work and specifically working directly with Social Services. Additionally the candidate will be able to provide general advice in relation to

a wide range of civil legal queries.

Scope of WorkLead on supporting and advising the Department of Social Services and the Safeguarding directorate in particular

Timely and accurate advice to Social Services in relation to child protection matters

Taking the lead on litigation matters on behalf of Social Services on child protection litigation in the Magistrates and Supreme Court.

Preparation of case papers and bundles for court Advisory work on a wide range of civil matters including

o General contractso Advice to government departments such as planning, environment, data

protection,o Providing support and assistance to the Attorney General’s Chambers

where capacity allows for general advisory worko Communicating with a range of stakeholders including government

officials, potentially local businesses and local politicians.

Represent the Attorney General’s Chambers at safeguarding directorate meetings and court proceedings.

This role specifically does not have any criminal advisory or litigation.

The Castle, Jamestown

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities. There may be other ad hoc duties that fall within the remit of the role that the job holder may need to complete. In addition, the job holder will be required to carry out any other reasonable duties as requested which are commensurate with the grading and level of responsibility for the role.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential UK Solicitor or Barrister of at least 5 years call/ PQE Substantial experience of advice and advocacy in public childcare and safeguarding

work, preferably Panel member; Experience of working in public sector organisations Experience of running own caseload Ability to undertake child care litigation work with little litigation support Good communication skills Flexible approach Good working knowledge of computer systems especially Microsoft word, excel

powerpoint and outlook; and Strong analytical skills.

Location and duration of the assignment

The work will be undertaken on the Island of St Helena. The individual will commence work in June 2015 or as soon as practically possible

thereafter. The assignment will last for 1 year.

Reporting arrangements

The individual will report to the Attorney General.

Contractual Arrangements

The contract will be under the St Helena Government standard short term technical cooperation contract terms.

CompetenciesUnder the SHG Competency framework, this post holder is required to have the competencies as outlined below:

Professional Development Required Professional Competency standards met

Planning and delivery of work Ensures appropriate resources and levels of capability to deliver to plan. Promotes and enforces appropriate organisational rules and procedures Leads by example in managing business relationships

Analysis and use of information Interprets complex written information. Able to assess the validity, relevance and limitations of different sources of evidence. Generates a range of options and appraises them based on evidence available.

RMS St Helena

Competencies (continued)

Decision making Thinks through the implications of decisions. Breaks down highly complex information into workable components for others. Draws together disparate information to resolve problems. Facilitates others to generate and solve problems. Empowers others to take creative decisions to meet organisational needs. Considers internal and external influences in complex decision making and problem

solving. Solves problems that have significant long-term implications for the organisation.

Working with others Informs, consults and influences others using a range of communication

mechanisms. Engages with others to gather information Shares and implements good practice with others Works with senior management and other stakeholders

Communication Varies language and content to ensure understanding of audience. Facilitates understanding by explanation and example. Highlights key points for summary from detailed and complex documents

Influencing and persuading Ensures strategies to support a diverse workforce are implemented. Recognises and anticipates the needs of senior managers and government officials. Presents unpopular messages confidently. Varies style of communication to have maximum impact on audience Influences to maintain a balance between individual motives and

directorate/departmental requirements Integrates logic and emotion to construct and convey complex arguments in a face

to face situation

Dealing with change Sees change as an opportunity. Supports colleagues in understanding change Participates readily in change initiatives Assists others to accommodate change. Focuses on benefits to self and/or others.

Continuous improvement Makes business and efficiency improvements through use of appropriate systems

and tools. Able to coach and develop individuals Shares knowledge and experience with others Manages own development and performance Learns lessons from both successes and failures

Managing resources Ensures appropriate resources and levels of capability to deliver to plan Uses management information to monitor/control resources. Supports initiatives for new and more efficient use of resources. Gains respect and credibility from team members through effective delegation,

coaching and development.

How to ApplyWe offer an extensive benefits package with 20 days leave per annum which will include a contributory pension plus generous income tax-free allowances for relocation, rent and utilities. An application form can be found at www.sthelenacareers.com where further information can also be found, or you may contact Kedell Worboys on 0203 818 7610 or email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com.

Applications must be received by Friday, 6 March 2015. Interviews will be held in London.

In order to apply, please complete the application form which can be found at w ww.sthelenacareers.com . Your application should set out how you meet the requirements outlined in the person specification and principal duties and tasks performed sections.

Please include your contact details, current salary information and details of two referees. All information will be treated as strictly confidential and referees will not be contacted without permission.