Have you ever wondered what someone on the Civil Service Fast Stream does in their day-to-day role? Are you interested in applying for the programme but are not sure which scheme to apply to? Our Day in the Life of series will feature posts from graduates on different Civil Service Fast Stream programmes, writing about their roles, what they do, and the highlights of their civil service careers so far! Keep an eye on our blog for the next posts as part of this series, and if you are interested in learning more about the Fast Stream programme, visit: Home | Civil Service Fast Stream.
Josh Raine, Year 2 Generalist
Current Posting: Innovation Lead – Ministry of Justice (Legal Aid Agency)
Location: Manchester
Previous Posting: Strategy Adviser – Home Office (Border Force)
I’m excited to offer you a glimpse into a day in my life as an Innovation Lead at the Legal Aid Agency. My role primarily revolves around project management, overseeing two initiatives within the Transformation Directorate. One of these projects focuses on enhancing our counter-fraud capabilities, while the other seeks to develop a streamlined digital system for providing Legal Aid in the realm of illegal migration.
As a Project Manager, I am responsible for tracking the progress of these projects and recording updates in the appropriate documents. I collaborate closely with subject matter experts and various stakeholders to steer the overarching direction of each project, ensuring the development of effective and efficient solutions. I regularly present project updates at board-level meetings, celebrating our successes but also raising any potential obstacles that might block our progress.
Highlights of previous posting
- Attended a debate in Westminster Hall
- Spent a day in France shadowing Border Force colleagues working upstream of the UK Border
- Visited Manchester Airport to see first-hand how Border Force detect and prevent illegal and dangerous items from entering the UK
While my role is mainly office-based, there are plenty of opportunities for me to get out and about. I’ve observed Legal Aid in action in the magistrate’s court, travelled to the Ministry of Justice headquarters in London for senior board meetings, and shadowed criminal caseworkers in Liverpool. These hands-on experiences provide invaluable insights into the real-world impact of our work.
Beyond my primary role, I dedicate 5-10% of my working week to volunteering, a commitment that further develops leadership skills. Currently, I am a Careers and Enterprise Adviser at a local school, where I collaborate closely with the careers department to integrate real-world industry insights into their strategies.