Working Families, Cambridge House, 1 Addington Square, SE5 0HF

Transcription

1 Title Location Hours Report to About the organisation Terms & Conditions JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION Employment Lawyer /Advice Service Manager (Interim 6 month position initially) funded by Big Lottery until end June Working Families, Cambridge House, 1 Addington Square, SE5 0HF We are happy to talk flexible working. We are willing to consider job share and alternative models where possible. Initial expectation is for hours per week. ( FTE) Standard hours for Working Families are between with one hour for lunch but with flexibility over hours (and time off in lieu for agreed hours worked outside normal working day) from an employee and employer perspective to be agreed on appointment. Due to the nature of the role we are able to consider office based or a mixture of office based and home-working. Head of Operations Working Families is the UK s leading worklife organisation, based in Camberwell in London and employing 20 staff. The charity helps working parents and carers and their employers to find a better balance between responsibilities at home and work. We provide a free, dedicated helpline for parents and carers, organise conferences and events, undertake ground-breaking research and work with employers and government on promoting and implementing good working practices. Salary up to c 32k pro rata dependent on experience. Plus 5% employer pension contributions. 30 days leave per annum plus public holidays, pro-rated to hours worked. In line with our campaigning for greater worklife balance for all, we have an internal philosophy which is supportive of parent, carer and personal needs and responsibilities outside work. 1

2 Role Overview To be the employment lawyer and case worker for Working Families legal advice line. To oversee and deliver our free employment rights advice and coaching with families who are disadvantaged by low income; having children with disabilities and lack of negotiating power with employers. To ensure the legal advice service is run in an effective and professional manner. To ensure requirements for monitoring and numbers of beneficiaries are met. Overall Objectives You will be responsible for: Managing the efficient and effective delivery of the legal advice service to the highest quality standards. Delivering high quality case work across the legal advice team within appropriate frameworks. Ensuring the team is up to date on legislation and policy issues. Manage all insurance, compliance and quality standards relating to the advice service. Collaborating with the Head of Operations to ensure the service is appropriately resourced. Key Accountabilities You will report to the Head of Operations. You will work closely with the Chief Executive to develop the strategic direction of the service. You will collaborate with the Head of Research, Policy and Comms to develop policy relevant to employment legislation. You will be responsible for the line management of a small team of advisers made up of both paid staff and volunteers. 2

3 Advice line and casework To be the employment law caseworker for the service and to supervise other members of the team if and when they undertake casework. Including: o Support and coach clients in running their own employment tribunal claims. o Draft documents used in tribunal claims. o Review and approve documents such as settlement agreements. o Advise clients on the merits of their case and their options, the likely compensation, negotiations, tribunal procedure Participate in the staffing of the advice line and provide up to date advice to parents and carers on: o Legal rights of parents, including flexible working, parental, emergency and maternity leave. o Working tax credits and benefits. o Negotiating family friendly employment and making a business case for new hours. Be overall responsible for the delivery of high quality, up to date legal advice to callers and contacts. Ensuring that the advice line is appropriately resourced and that opening times are suitable and compliant with funding requirements. Act as the supervising lawyer for staff and volunteers working on the advice line, offering both pro-active support and responding to requests for bespoke direction on a case by case basis. Identify any underperformance in terms of funders targets and work with the team and Head of Operations on remedial action. Policy and legislation Keep up to date with developments in employment, financial support for low income and other relevant legislation. Identify policy and strategic issues for the charity s research and campaigning activities. Compliance and quality standards Organise insurance and practising certificates for the advice line. Ensure compliance with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Take responsibility for AQS compliance and relevant audit trails, including by undertaking quarterly file reviews. 3

4 Record keeping and administration Ensure appropriate archiving of paper records of project. Monitor BIG Lottery beneficiary (coachee) data to ensure full records are being kept and all funding requirements are met. Monitor types of calls received and contribute to the database of relevant information and referrals. Other Keep abreast of changes in the law and incorporating these into the website as required Assist with media requests as necessary. Assist with fundraising applications as necessary. Any other reasonable duties and responsibilities as directed by Head of Operations or Chief Executive. Application process: We are NOT accepting CVs for this position. To apply please complete an application form and equality and diversity monitoring form and submit to by 10am on Tuesday 9 th December. Interviews are planned to be held week commencing 15 th December 2014, at the Working Families offices. If you would like an informal discussion about the role please contact Jo Rogers, Head of Operations on Only applicants who are invited to interview will be contacted, if you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. 4

5 Person Specification Essential Qualifications Qualified employment law solicitor or barrister (pref. 3yrs+ or equivalent experience). Desirable Expertise in maternity and or discrimination. Current practising certificate. Experience Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Abilities Experience of advice work and case work. Able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the objectives and values of Working Families. Ability to establish rapport quickly and communicate effectively with beneficiaries/ clients. Highly organised and thorough, with a strong eye for detail. Able to work unsupervised. Ability to be self servicing (in relation to administration, correspondence and record keeping) Ability to maintain an overview and guide others on relevant priorities in a calm and diplomatic way. Experience of identifying policy issues from case work. Experience of supervising staff or a team and managing performance Experience of managing a quality mark. Good written skills to keep articles and information on website up to date. Able to supervise staff in a thorough, constructive and proactive manner 5