In House Costs Draftsman

We're looking for a numerate individual with experience of working in a legal costs role to join us as In House Costs Draftsman and carry out accurate and efficient billing for our busy Legal Services team.

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change - with individuals, in communities, across society - and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Shelter's Manchester Legal Aid Authority (LAA) team delivers a legal help and legal aid contract and manages the Manchester and Tameside housing county court duty schemes. They also provide complex advice, advocacy and representation to some of the most vulnerable families in Manchester and across the Greater Manchester region. It's here that we need your help.

About the role

Providing vital support to the existing costs team, you'll have the assistance of two junior costs clerks, a cost clerk and a legal support administrator. One of your many and varied responsibilities will be the need to draft accurate bills for submission to the LAA and to opponents at the end of cases. We'll also rely on you to maintain a caseload of 'inter partes' and court assessed bills. Assisting the National Legal Costs Manager with projects and the implementation of billing processes when required, will be important too, as will helping the junior members of the team with queries and guidance. Put simply, you'll do all you can to ensure the effective running of our Legal Services and the Costs Team.

About you
As well as a legal costs background, you'll need excellent attention to detail and good knowledge of Legal Aid, while any housing experience would definitely be a plus. You'll also need to be proficient using case management systems, Microsoft Office applications, internet and email etc. and have the ability to quickly grasp new IT systems. Proactive, results-driven and collaborative in your approach, you're great at building and maintaining good working relationships too. What's more, you're willing to suggest and adapt to new ideas and change and respectful of other people's opinions.

Benefits include 30 days' annual leave (pro rata for part time), the possibility of flexible working, enhanced family friendly policies and significant opportunities for learning and development.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We're here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

Closing date: 24 April 2019 at 11.30 pm

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our Legal team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

At Shelter, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.