Deputy Disclosure Officer

This role with our Central Government Client is for a Deputy Disclosure Officer for 12 months (ongoing). This role is located in Stevenage, with 100% of time on site, and has a pay rate of 124.09 per day umbrella 167.45 PAYE.  

Job Description:  

The main roles and responsibilities for this role include:  

- Recording, retention and reviewing of all material during the investigation using the Atlas Case Management System Disclosure Module (or other authorised case management system).  

- Application of the ‘tests for relevance and sensitivity’ to all material as outlined in the Prosecution Team Disclosure Manual and the CPIA Code of Practice to ensure compliance and consistency in investigations.  

- Interaction with partners in the UK and overseas and have a detailed understanding of disclosure when dealing with ‘third party’ material.  

- Setting up and maintaining Memorandum of Understandings when dealing with partner agencies within complex investigations to ensure compliance on all aspects of unused material  

- To oversee and coordinate the use of deputy disclosure officers in an investigation to ensure all relevant material is properly considered, and scheduled in accordance with relevant legislation and code of practice.  

- Provide disclosure related advice/guidance to senior managers, Senior Investigating Officers and case teams as required, in relation to third party material, evidence, continuity, and material that may undermines the prosecution case or assists the defence.  

- Identify and advise the SIO, case team and CPS, of areas that require further enquiry in order to meet the legal obligations in relation to disclosure  

- Prioritisation of workloads under pressure with responsibility for maintaining a high accuracy level/attention to detail whilst meeting agreed time deadlines within judicial process.  

- Production of accurate and comprehensive disclosure schedules as agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service prosecutor and prosecution / disclosure counsel.  

- Attend conferences with prosecuting counsel, CPS and SIO  

- Liaise with the SIO, CPS and prosecution counsel on all aspects of disclosure l including justification for sensitive classification attributed to material, PII matters and defence statements.  

- Facilitating and supervising authorised access to unused material by defence legal representatives as required.  

- Attend court, to address issues of disclosure as they may arise, acting as a single point of contact between CPS and SIO, and providing support throughout to the CPS, prosecution counsel and court.  

- Identify best practice improvements and implementation and being open to adopting new/alternative practices to assist with facilitating continued innovation and change to improve professionalism of the NCA.

- PIP2 /PIP or equivalent  

- An in depth knowledge of the Criminal Procedure & Investigation Act 1996 as amended by The Criminal Justice Act 2003, the Attorney General’s Guidelines, the Codes of Practice 2005 and other relevant legislation and the application of this within criminal justice proceedings.  

- Full understanding of the tests for relevancy and sensitivity as outlined in the Prosecution Team Disclosure Manual and the CPIA Code of Practice to ensure compliance and consistency in investigations.  

- Have a full and detailed understanding of authorised case management systems, in particular the Atlas Case Management System Disclosure Module, including the process for uploading documents from departments both within and external to the NCA.  

- Detailed understanding of crown court procedures and role of disclosure officer as it relates to investigations and prosecutions.  

Skills:  

- Proficient in the use of information technology and associated software ie Excel  

- Good verbal and written communication skills  

- Proven ability to assess, interpret and schedule high volumes of material/exhibits in accordance with current legislation and disclosure guidelines.  

- Highly motivated with the ability to work unsupervised with in the disclosure environment to tight deadlines and with a very high level of accuracy.  

Experience:  

- Recent experience and high level of understanding of complex/protracted criminal justice investigations including service of case file material, exhibits and unused material.  

- Experience of interpreting complex legislation, rules and regulations identifying options that are legally and policy compliant.  

- Experience in dealing with the CPS including justification for sensitive classification attributed to material, PII matters, defence statements and subsequent access to unused material by defence.  

- Experience of crown court procedures and role of disclosure officer as it relates to investigations and prosecutions.  

- Strong inter-personal skills including ability and experience to engage and work with the Crown Prosecution Service, - SIO and prosecuting counsels within the criminal justice environment, in relation to all aspects of the disclosure..  

- Recent experience as Disclosure Officer.  

- Demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering a high standard of service with an emphasis on quality at all times.