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.

Further information can be found at: https://ima-citizensrights.org.uk/

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.

Find out what it is like to work for the IMA by watching our recruitment video.

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 and to promote the adequate and effective implementation of those Agreements. 

The Senior Legal Adviser will be responsible for contributing to the provision of effective legal support at the IMA in the complex, challenging and wide-ranging area of EU citizens’ rights. 

You will be required to oversee and 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 Senior Legal Adviser to join our current team of 7 legal staff who form our Legal Directorate and report to our General Counsel. 

As a Senior Legal Adviser, the post-holder will be expected to support the General Counsel in the leadership of the Directorate and the provision of legal services at the IMA. 

The Senior Legal Adviser will lead on the provision of legal advice on complex, novel and contentious legal issues. They will also provide leadership and direction to other members of the Directorate to help them develop the skills needed to provide excellent legal advice at the IMA. 

In addition to leading on legal advice on all aspects of the IMA’s work the Senior Legal Adviser will contribute to the design and 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.

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.  

You will be able to demonstrate the following: 

• Experience of advising on the main features of public and administrative law. 
• Sound legal judgement including the effective management of legal risk. 
• Sound powers of analysis and the ability to provide legal advice on complex and technical areas of law. 
• Experience of working with and communicating complex legal issues to and influencing senior stakeholders.  
• Ability to lead and develop high performing legal teams. 
• Ability to contribute to the management of the effective provision of legal services.  

Behaviours 

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

• Leadership. 
• Making Effective Decisions.
• Managing a Quality Service.  
• 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 a 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 16 September 2024 with interviews provisionally scheduled for w/c 30 September 2024.

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. Unsuccessful candidates may be considered as part of the recruitment of a Legal Adviser which is being carried out in parallel.

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.

Nationality requirements

The job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or their family members, with settled or pre-settled status or who have applied to the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

Job Contact

Name: Rhys Davies

Email: HR@ima-citizensrights.org.uk

Please contact us using the email address HR@ima-citizensirghts.org.uk if you would like to arrange a date and time to discuss the role with our General Counsel, Rhys Davies. 

If you require any assistance please call 0345 603 7262  (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com

Please quote the job reference.

Please refer to the Legal Adviser pack for further information about the role and the IMA.

 

https://ima-citizensrights.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Senior-Legal-Adviser-Grade-6-Legal-Adviser-Grade-7-Information-Pack.pdf

 

 

Ynglŷn â'r AMA

 

Mae’r Awdurdod Monitro Annibynnol (“yr IMA”) yn gorff annibynnol sy’n sicrhau bod hawliau dinasyddion yr UE a gwledydd EFTA yr Ardal Economaidd Ewropeaidd sy’n byw yn y DU a Gibraltar yn cael eu cynnal ar ôl i’r DU adael yr UE.

 

Fel y nodir yn Rhan 2 y Cytundebau Ymadael a Gwahanu, mae gan yr IMA ddwy ddyletswydd eang – sef monitro a hyrwyddo.

 

Rydym yn monitro cyrff cyhoeddus yn y DU i sicrhau eu bod yn gweithredu’n ddigonol ac yn effeithiol yn unol â’r hawliau a ddarperir gan y Cytundebau Hawliau Dinasyddion. Rydym yn hyrwyddo’r gwaith o weithredu a defnyddio’r Cytundebau yn ddigonol ac yn effeithiol drwy ddal cyrff cyhoeddus i gyfrif lle nad oes cydymffurfiad llawn. Yr IMA yw corff hyd braich, annibynnol y Weinyddiaeth Gyfiawnder.

 

Mae rhagor o wybodaeth ar gael yn: https://ima-citizensrights.org.uk/

 

Rydym yn annog ceisiadau gan bobl o bob cefndir ac yn anelu at gael gweithlu sy’n cynrychioli’r gymdeithas ehangach yr ydym yn ei gwasanaethu. Rydym yn ymfalchïo mewn bod yn gyflogwr o ddewis. Rydym yn hyrwyddo amrywiaeth, cynhwysiant a lles ac yn anelu at greu gweithle lle mae pawb yn teimlo eu bod yn cael eu gwerthfawrogi ac ymdeimlad o berthyn.

 

Darganfyddwch sut le ydi gweithio i'r IMA trwy wylio ein fideo recriwtio

 

 

 

Pwrpas y swydd:  

 

Mae hwn yn amser cyffroes i’r AMA, sydd yn gyfrifol am fonitro os yw awdurdodau cyhoeddus y DU yn darparu hawliau i ddinasyddion o’r UE a gwledydd EEA EFTA ac aelodau eu teulu fel y gofynnir y Cytundeb Ymadael a’r Cytundeb Gwahanu EEA EFTA.  

 

Bydd yr Uwch-Gynghorydd Cyfreithiol yn gyfrifol am gyfrannu at ddarpariaeth o gymorth cyfreithiol effeithiol i’r AMA o fewn maes cymhleth, heriol ac eang.   

 

Bydd gofyn i chi goruchwylio a darparu cyngor cyfreithiol i gyd-weithwyr gweithredol er mwyn goleuo gwaith monitor ac hyrwyddo yr AMA. Disgwylir mae cynghori ar y Cytundeb Ymadael bydd gofyn i chi i wneud yn bennaf, ond mae bosib bydd gofyn i chi cynghori ar y meysydd cyfreithiol canlynol:  

 

Cyfraith cyhoeddus gweinyddol.   Adolygiad barnwrol.  Cyfraith rhyngwladol.   Cyfraith yr UE.  Mewnfudiad.  Iechyd.  Addysg.    Nawdd cymdeithasol.   Tai.   Bydd cyngor cyfreithiol yn ymwneud a’r holl waith gweithredol yr ydym wedi bod yn ei wneud yn yr AMA, gan gynnwys:  

 

Amrywiaeth o waith ymgyfreitha, gan gynnwys adolygiad barnwrol o bwys ar elfennau o’r Cynllun Preswylio’n Sefydlog i Ddinasyddion yr UE, ac ymyriadau pwysig ar gwestiynau newydd a dadleuol ynghylch dehongli’r Cytundeb Ymadael gerbron holl llysoedd y DU gan gynnwys y llysoedd sirol, tribiwnlysoedd a’r Uchel-Lys.    Ymchwiliadau yr AMA: Mae ymchwiliad cyntaf yr AMA ar oediadau wrth roi Tystysgrifau Cais dan Gynllun Preswylio’n Sefydlog i Ddinasyddion yr UE wedi dod i ben ond mae’r ail ymchwiliad ar oediadau yn weddill y Cynllun yn parhau.    Gwaith gweithredol: mae’r AMA yn ymgymryd yn ystod eang o waith gweithredol gan edrych ar weithredoedd awdurdodau cyhoeddus er mwyn canfod ble mae problemau ond hefyd i amlygu arferion da. Mae hyn yn cynnwys edrych ar profiadau unigolion yn mynedu’r DU, mynedu cyllid myfyrwyr, cymorth iechyd a tai, profiadau plant sy’n derbyn gofal a’r rheolau sy’n llywodraethu statws mewnfudiad y dinasyddion gyda hawliau dan y Cytundeb Ymadael neu Cytundeb Gwahanu EEA EFTA.    Deddfwriaeth o phob un o’r llywodraethau sydd ar draws y DU a Gibraltar sy’n delio ag amrywiaeth o bynciau gan gynnwys cyllid myfyrwyr, nawdd cymdeithasol, mewnfudo a chydnabod cymwysterau.    Gellir canfod mwy am y gwaith yma a mwy ar ein gwefan.   

 

Rydym yn chwilio am Uwch-Gynghorydd Cyfreithiol i ymuno ein tîm cyfreithiol o 7 sy’n ffurfio ein Cyfarwyddiaeth Gyfreithiol ac sy’n gweithio i’n Cwnsler Cyffredinol.   

 

Fel Uwch-Gynghorydd Cyfreithiol, bydd gofyn i chi gefnogi y Cwnsler Cyffredinol i arwain y Cyfarwyddiaeth a’r darpariaeth o cyngor cyfreithiol i’r AMA.   

 

Bydd disgwyl i chi arwain ar roi cyngor cyfreithiol ar faterion cyfreithiol cymhleth, newydd a cynhennus. Hefyd, bydd gofyn i chi arwain a cyfarwyddo eraill o fewn y Cyfarwyddiaeth i ddatblygu’r sgiliau angenrheidiol i ddarparu cyngor cyfreithiol o’r safon uchaf o fewn y AMA.  

 

Yn ogystal ag arwain ar roi cyngor cyfreithiol ar bob agwedd o waith yr IMA bydd y rôl hefyd yn gofyn i chi cyfrannu at cynllunio a darparu hyfforddiant mewnol a chyfarwyddiadau. Bydd angen i chi hefyd ddatblygu perthynas gyda chydweithwyr o ar draws yr IMA a gydag amrywiaeth o awdurdodau cyhoeddus a rhanddeiliaid eraill.   

 

Bydd yr ymgeisydd llwyddiannus hefyd yn gyfrifol am weithio gyda darparwyr gwasanaethau cyfreithiol allanol a chwnsleriaid pan fo angen, dan arweiniad a goruchwyliaeth y Cwnsler Cyffredinol.  

 

Bydd gennych gefnogaeth lawn eich cydweithwyr profiadol ac ymroddgar o fewn y Gyfarwyddiaeth Gyfreithiol a chydweithwyr eraill ledled yr IMA.  

 

Fel Cynghorydd Cyfreithiol bydd gan y deiliad swydd cefnogaeth Uwch Gynghorwyr Cyfreithiol eraill sydd yn y tîm, ac yn benodol ar faterion a chwestiynau cyfreithiol cymhleth a newydd.  

 

Rydym yn cynnig cyfleoedd i chi ddysgu a datblygu fel sy’n ofynnol fel y gallwch ffynnu yn y rôl a byddwch yn cael y gefnogaeth a’r arweiniad i ddatblygu eich gyrfa gyfreithiol.  

 

Sgiliau Hanfodol:  

 

Byddwch chi  

 

yn fargyfreithiwr neu cyfreithiwr cymwys sydd â hawl i ymarfer yng Nghymru a Lloegr.   a byddwch yn gallu dangos y canlynol: 

 

Profiad o gynghori ar brif nodweddion cyfraith gyhoeddus a gweinyddol.   Dyfarniad cyfreithiol cadarn gan gynnwys rheoli risg gyfreithiol yn effeithiol.   Pwerau dadansoddi cadarn a'r gallu i ddarparu cyngor cyfreithiol ar feysydd cymhleth a thechnegol y gyfraith.   Profiad o weithio gyda a chyfleu materion cyfreithiol cymhleth i uwch rhanddeiliaid a dylanwadu arnynt.  Y Gallu profedig i arwain a datblygu timau cyfreithiol effeithiol.  Profiad o rheoli y darpariaeth o gyngor cyfreithiol.   Ymddygiadau  

 

Byddwn yn eich asesu yn erbyn yr ymddygiadau hyn yn ystod y broses ddethol:  

 

Arweinyddiaeth. Gwneud Penderfyniadau Effeithiol. Rheoli Gwasanaeth o Safon. Datblygu'ch Hun ac Eraill. Cyfathrebu a Dylanwadu.  

 

https://ima-citizensrights.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Senior-Legal-Adviser-Grade-6-Legal-Adviser-Grade-7-Information-Pack.pdf