Presenting Officer – Home Office
The Home Office is recruiting 10 Presenting Officers to join its Asylum and Human Rights Operations team, representing the Secretary of State at First-tier Immigration Tribunal hearings and supporting the review of immigration decisions.
This is a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) position offering the opportunity to develop expertise in immigration law, advocacy, case analysis and decision-making.
The role is available across several UK locations and may be suitable for both full-time and qualifying part-time applicants.
Job Details
- Job title: Presenting Officer
- Employer: Home Office
- Business area: Asylum and Human Rights Operations
- Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
- Salary: £41,750 – £48,250 per year
- National locations: £41,750 – £44,250
- London locations: £45,750 – £48,250
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time or part-time
- Part-time minimum: 4 days / 30 hours per week
- Vacancies: 10
- Reference: 479224
- Closing date: 11:55 pm, Monday 26 October 2026
Locations
Positions are available in:
- Cardiff
- Feltham
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- London
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Salford
- Solihull
Applicants can select up to two preferred locations in order of preference and should only choose locations they are prepared to travel to.
About the Role
Presenting Officers work within Appeals, First Tier Tribunals (AFTT), part of the Home Office’s Asylum and Human Rights Operations directorate.
The team represents the Secretary of State in Immigration Tribunal hearings and reviews immigration decisions to help ensure that cases are robust, lawful and properly defended.
The role involves preparing complex cases, presenting arguments before the Immigration Tribunal and responding to challenges from legal representatives and Immigration Judges.
Around 60% of contracted working days may involve presenting cases at the Immigration Tribunal.
The Home Office recommends that prospective applicants observe an Immigration Tribunal hearing to understand the demands of the position.
Key Responsibilities
As a Presenting Officer, you will be expected to:
- Prepare and present immigration cases before the First-tier Immigration Tribunal.
- Review decisions and legal representations and identify important evidence and issues.
- Present structured submissions and conduct cross-examination where required.
- Develop and maintain a strong understanding of immigration law, policy and processes.
- Respond effectively to challenging and fast-changing situations.
- Adapt to changes in court listings and operational requirements.
- Complete post-hearing work accurately and within required deadlines.
- Undertake immigration review work when tribunal attendance is not required.
- Work to relevant rules, guidance, targets and quality standards.
- Maintain professional relationships with Immigration Judges, HM Courts and Tribunals Service staff, legal representatives and Home Office colleagues.
Who This Role May Suit
This opportunity may suit applicants who can analyse complex information, communicate clearly and remain effective when working under pressure.
You will need to be comfortable working in an environment where cases may involve detailed legal issues, challenging questioning and changing priorities.
Previous immigration law expertise is not listed as an essential requirement, but successful candidates must be able to develop a strong working knowledge of immigration law.
Essential Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate:
- The ability to develop a strong working knowledge of immigration law.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify key issues accurately.
- The ability to analyse complex information.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills.
- The ability to engage effectively with different stakeholders.
- Resilience when dealing with challenge, pressure and differing perspectives.
- The ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Behaviours Assessed
The recruitment process will assess the following Civil Service behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Working Pattern and Training
The position is available on a full-time basis and can also accommodate qualifying part-time working.
Part-time employees must work a minimum of 4 days or 30 hours per week because of business requirements.
Successful candidates will complete a comprehensive foundation and mentoring programme, with progress formally assessed to ensure competence.
Attendance at in-person training is mandatory, with limited flexibility around training times.
Staff will also typically attend their office once every fortnight for team engagement, alongside office attendance for training and mentoring.
Some travel to other hearing centres may occasionally be required.
Benefits
The Home Office offers a range of Civil Service benefits, including:
- Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 25 days’ annual leave on appointment, increasing to 30 days with service.
- Eight public holidays plus one additional privilege day.
- In-year rewards for exceptional individual or team achievements.
- Potential opportunities for a combination of office and home-based working where business requirements allow.
The advert states that employees working under hybrid arrangements will generally be expected to spend at least 60% of their working time in an office.
Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work
Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is not confirmed in this vacancy advert.
The advert states that the role is broadly open to UK nationals, Irish nationals, eligible Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, qualifying EUSS nationals and certain other groups with existing UK work rights.
Applicants who require new visa sponsorship should therefore check their eligibility directly with the Home Office before applying, rather than assuming that sponsorship is available for this position.
Application and Selection Process
The recruitment process uses the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and assesses behaviours, ability and experience.
The stages are:
1. Civil Service Verbal Test – by 26 October 2026
After completing the initial eligibility stage, applicants who are invited to the next stage will be asked to complete a Civil Service Verbal test.
Applicants are encouraged to complete the test as soon as possible, with 24–48 hours recommended after receiving the invitation.
The test cannot be completed using a mobile phone or tablet.
2. Full Application – by 26 October 2026
Applicants who successfully complete the test will be invited to submit the full application.
This includes a Personal Statement of up to 1,000 words, demonstrating how their skills and experience meet the essential criteria.
3. Sift – week commencing 2 November 2026
The sift will be based on the Personal Statement.
4. Interview – week commencing 14 December 2026
Successful candidates will be invited to a Microsoft Teams interview.
Candidates will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation, followed by questions from the interview panel.
Slides will not be accepted.
The presentation will assess:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Experience-based questions will also be asked around the essential skills and criteria listed in the job description.
Information Sessions
The Home Office is offering optional live information sessions for prospective applicants.
- Wednesday 30 September 2026 – 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
- Wednesday 7 October 2026 – 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Applicants can register through the relevant event links on the original vacancy page.
Security and Eligibility
Successful applicants must complete the required pre-employment and security checks.
The role requires a Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC) as well as relevant personnel security checks.
Successful candidates must also undergo a basic or equivalent criminal record check.
Additional checks may be carried out depending on the candidate and role requirements. These can include checks with relevant professional and regulatory organisations.
All employment offers remain provisional until the required additional checks have been successfully completed.
Nationality Requirements
The vacancy is broadly open to:
- UK nationals.
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Eligible Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- Certain EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and eligible family members with settled or pre-settled status.
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who met the relevant EUSS eligibility requirements.
- Turkish nationals and certain family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Applicants should check the Civil Service nationality requirements before applying.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Home Office can make reasonable changes to its recruitment process for applicants who require adjustments because of a disability.
Applicants requiring support should contact the Government Recruitment Service as early as possible before the closing date and identify any assistance required in the application.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months following the recruitment process.
Being placed on the reserve list does not guarantee a future job offer.
Reserve lists will be maintained by location, with appointments made in merit order for each location.
Important Application Information
Applicants should ensure that all examples and statements in their application are truthful and based on their own experience.
The advert states that artificial intelligence can be used to support an application, but applicants must not present AI-generated material or another person’s experience as their own.
Applications or examples identified as plagiarised may be withdrawn.
Closing Date
11:55 pm, Monday 26 October 2026
Applicants should allow sufficient time to complete both the online test and full application before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.
Vacancy: Presenting Officer – Home Office
Reference: 479224
Applicants should check the official advert for the latest requirements, application instructions and eligibility information before submitting an application.