£56,802 - £65,385 per annum

About the IMA
The IMA is an independent body that makes sure the rights of EU and EEA EFTA citizens and their family members living in the UK and Gibraltar are upheld following the departure of the UK from the EU.
The IMA has two broad duties as set out in Part 2 of the Withdrawal and Separation Agreements – to monitor and to promote.

• We monitor UK public bodies to make sure they adequately and effectively implement the rights provided for by the Citizens’ Rights Agreements.
• We promote the adequate and effective implementation and application of the Agreements by holding public bodies to account where there is not full compliance.

The IMA is an independent arms-length body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice.

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging.

Purpose of the post:
This is an exciting time for the IMA who is responsible for monitoring whether the UK’s public authorities are providing the rights of EU and EEA EFTA nationals and their family members under the Withdrawal and EEA EFTA Separation Agreements.
You will be required to provide advice to IMA operational colleagues to help inform the IMA’s monitoring and promoting work. The work will primarily involve advising on the Withdrawal Agreement, but may also engage the following areas of law: 

• Public administrative law.
• Judicial review.
• International law.
• EU law.
• Immigration.
• Health.
• Education.
• Social security.
• Housing.

The advice will be provided in the context of:

• A range of litigation: the IMA was successful in a landmark judicial review of elements of the EU Settlement Scheme, and has undertaken important interventions on novel and contentious questions of interpretation of the Withdrawal Agreement before all courts of the UK, from the county court and tribunals, to the Supreme Court.
• IMA inquiries: the IMA has concluded its first inquiry on delays in the issuing of Certificates of Application under the EU Settlement Scheme and has commenced its second on delays in the determination of applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.
• Compliance and intelligence work: the IMA carries out a range of compliance and intelligence work looking at the actions of public authorities, identifying where there are problems but also highlighting good practice. This includes looking at the experience of individuals entering the UK, accessing student finance, healthcare and housing assistance, the experience of looked after children and the rules which govern the immigration status of those citizens within our responsibility.
• Legislation from each of the different governments across the UK and Gibraltar which cover a range of subjects including student finance, social security, immigration and the recognition of qualifications.

We are looking for a Legal Adviser to join our current team of 7 legal staff who form our Legal Directorate and report to our General Counsel.

In addition to leading on legal advice on all aspects of the IMA’s work, including inquiries, litigation, and complaints, the role will involve contributing to the delivery of the IMA’s internal training and guidance.  You will also need to develop relationships with colleagues from across the IMA as well as a variety of other public authorities and stakeholders.

The successful applicant will also be responsible for working with external legal service providers and counsel when required, under the direction and oversight of the General Counsel.

You will have the full support of experienced and dedicated colleagues both from within the Legal Directorate and from colleagues across the IMA.

As a Legal Adviser, the post-holder will have support from Senior Legal Adviser colleagues in the team, in particular on more complex and new areas of legal issues and questions.

We offer any tailored learning and development required for you to thrive in this role and you will have support and guidance to progress your legal career.
 
Essential skills:
You will be

• a qualified barrister or solicitor entitled to practise in England and Wales (or due to qualify by September 2025).

You will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Sound powers of analysis and the ability to provide legal advice on complex and technical areas of law. 
• Sound legal judgement including the effective management of legal risk.
• Experience of working with and communicating complex legal issues to and influencing senior stakeholders.
• an understanding of the main features of public and administrative law

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions.
• Delivering at Pace.
• Developing Self and Others.
• Communicating and Influencing.

Location
Please note that the current HQ is based at the Civic Centre in Swansea. 
The IMA is currently operating an informal and non-contractual hybrid working arrangement, with a regular requirement to attend the office in Swansea.
If you would like to discuss this further, please get in touch with the job contact HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

Benefits
We take development seriously and want to enable you to build a successful career with the IMA. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead, and you’ll benefit from regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing.
You’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits:  

• Learning and development tailored to your role. 
• Flexible working options, including flexi time. 
• 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 8 public holidays. This will be complimented by one privilege day entitlement. 
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity. 
• Civil Service Pension – a competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution (an average employer contribution of 27%) to the cost of your pension. Your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken. 
• Established reward and recognition scheme for staff. 
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers. 
• Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle. 
• Occupational sick pay, employee assistance services and health and wellbeing initiatives such as flu vaccines and health screening. 
• We have a range of family-friendly policies, such as part-time working, job sharing, parental leave and career breaks and a range of leave options for parents. These depend on business needs, but our aim is to help you achieve a positive work-life balance. 

Security 

• Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
• Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Check. Successful candidates may be required to undertake CTC security clearance in the future.

Selection process details 
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a summary of your job history and previous skills and experience and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please note that your personal statement should demonstrate your suitability in no more than 1000 words that highlights the reason you are interested in the role and how your experience makes you the best candidate. You should also refer to the essential requirements, behaviours and technical skills set out above.
At interview, you will be asked to prepare and deliver a presentation, the details of which will be given to you in advance. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Please note we do not consider CV applications – you must apply for this role through Civil Service Jobs.

Sift and Interview Dates 
Sifting is envisaged to take place from w/c 03 February with interviews provisionally scheduled for w/c 17 February.

These will take place in person at the Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN.

Interviews are usually conducted in English.

If you require any reasonable adjustments to be able to attend or undertake an interview, please contact HR HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

Reserve List 
If we identify more appointable candidates than we currently have posts available, we will hold applicant details on a reserve list for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. This may include roles at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Candidates placed on a reserve list will be informed of this. Those candidates who do not wish to remain on the reserve list should contact  HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk to be removed from the reserve list.

Note to existing Civil and Public Servants
Please note that the IMA is not a Civil Service employer and so any current Civil Servants recruited on a permanent basis will cease to be Civil Servants.
If you are a member of the Civil Service Pension Scheme, you will be eligible to continue in this.

Closing date: 3 February 2025

For further information or to apply, please click on the 'Enquire/Apply' button below.