JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Legal Services Officer 2. HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HRMS/13151 3. ROLE CODE: LSOLS 4. DEPARTMENT: Legal Services 5. ORGANISATION CHART: See attached 6. JOB PURPOSE: The Legal Services Officer will provide high quality legal advice and assistance to the University across a broad range of disciplines. The role will involve providing advice, drafting documents, ensuring compliance and progressing matters on a wide variety of issues, often against a background of public and charity law and reputational concern, including contracts, property, company/commercial matters, implementation of university policies, information rights and intellectual property, and employment and equality law. The role will report to the University Secretary and Director of Legal Services and is based at the Chester campus. 7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The volume of work has increased substantially in recent years and this is a new role required to assist the University Secretary and Director of Legal Services, who is a solicitor. Existing Legal Services staff include the Institutional Compliance Officer and an Administrative Assistant. It advises academic units and corporate services within the University and liaises with external bodies and solicitors as required. The University is a multi-site organisation with campuses in Chester and Warrington and a range of satellite sites across Cheshire and the Wirral. The University has approximately 15,000 students and currently employs in the region of 1,500 full-time and part-time staff. 8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 8.1 Communicating Effectively Interpret and convey information using a range of styles appropriate to the audience both orally and in writing. Some of the information will be complex, conceptual and specialist in nature. This may be in oral and written formats.
Take an active role in meetings, often drawing upon influencing and negotiation skills to ensure a satisfactory outcome is obtained. Draft letters and documents and write reports as necessary. Liaise with managers and colleagues across the University, and a range of stakeholders, both orally and in writing. Often required to seek information from other sources as required. Respond to queries from staff, students and external parties. The role involves a significant amount of confidential and often sensitive information. The role holder must therefore be discreet, tactful and resourceful at all times. 8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively Work effectively in collaboration with other members of the Legal Services Directorate to ensure delivery of a professional and efficient service. 8.3 Liaison and Networking Liaison internally with managers and staff at all levels of the University for the purpose of taking instructions and advising on the legal consequences of a course of action. Regular contact with external agencies and external legal advisers as necessary. Participate in legal networks as necessary. Where appropriate, to attend working parties in order to complete projects and support achievement of objectives. Take an active role in meetings, often drawing upon influencing and negotiation skills to ensure a satisfactory outcome is obtained. Where necessary, to represent the University Secretary and Director of Legal Services at meetings. Attend conferences, workshops and seminars and other staff development initiatives relating to the legal framework of the University. 8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service Support the work of the University Secretary and Director of Legal Services in the delivery of his duties and responsibilities for effective and efficient provision of an in-house institutional legal service and compliance with standards which meet legal and good practice requirements. This will include case management, advising on, for example, intellectual property matters, joint ventures, re-organisations and acquisitions. Provide pragmatic and robust legal advice to senior staff within the University on a range of issues including, but not limited to contracts, property, company/ commercial matters, litigation, implementation of university policies (such as student complaints, disciplinary and professional suitability matters), information rights and intellectual property, employment and equality law and charitable and constitutional matters. Contribute to the formation of institutional policy and strategic developments which will have a range of short, medium and long-term implications.
Take the lead as appropriate on a range of complex work, assess the legal implications, find solutions and manage priorities effectively. Draft, negotiate, scrutinise and endorse the terms and conditions of a wide range of commercial and other contracts, for example, joint venture and similar partner-type contracts, service level agreements, research, confidentiality and franchise agreements, and other related contractual issues. Where appropriate, represent the University in any litigation. Review new legislation, forecast the impact on the University and develop policy and procedures accordingly to ensure statutory obligations are met. 8.5 Effective Decision Making Make independent decisions by drawing upon knowledge and expertise and exploring a range of options, ensuring these are weighed, risks and outcomes identified and chances of success are considered. Such decisions may set a precedent or result in policy amendment. Use judgement and initiative to make decisions with limited or ambiguous data, often taking multiple factors into account. Recognise when issues need to be referred to others for a decision. Challenge self, others and emergent decisions where necessary to ensure that appropriate considerations and processes are robust and that levels of risk are appropriate and proportionate to achievement of the University s strategic and commercial objectives. Make collaborative decisions with the Director of Legal Services or the Institutional Compliance Officer on a range of issues including the development and implementation of policies and processes to ensure legal compliance across a range of functions. Contribute to and influence the decisions of others when making recommendations, for example, over the requirements of reasonableness as a public body or as an employer, or as to the likely outcomes of a particular action or decision. 8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others Plan and prioritise own workload on a day to day basis with minimum supervision and ensure appropriate deadlines are met and resources are used effectively. Report on progress and achievement against priorities to key parties. Co-ordinate the efforts of others to enable shared objectives to be met. Ensure accurate and up to date records are kept. 8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) Investigate and resolve issues as and when they arise. This will sometimes involve complex issues where the information is diverse and conflicting. Where areas of on-going concern are identified, investigate and make recommendations for improvement where possible. To have a clear view of the importance and practicalities of the legal framework and its affect on the University and its policies and procedures.
Develop plans to take account of new problems, identifying practical ways of prevention. Liaise with the Director of Legal Services as appropriate to discuss various relevant policies and their likely effect on the University. Deal with legal queries from managers and staff across the University. 8.8 Analysis and Research Monitor relevant legislation, regulations, case law, directives, circulars and other appropriate sources of information and provide advice in relation thereto. Monitor compliance with the University s obligations under relevant legislation relating to its activities. Evaluate the potential impact of changes in legislation and produce reports and high level briefing papers where necessary. Gather, manipulate, analyse and report information and data necessary for each investigation or project using appropriate forms and methods. This will often involve confidential data some of which will be commercially sensitive. 8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands The post is based in a busy office and will include light physical effort in operating typical desk top equipment, including a keyboard. A high level of concentration is needed as the post requires meticulous attention to detail due to the nature of work undertaken. 8.10 Work Environment The role is office based but the role holder will be expected to attend meetings at other sites as appropriate. 8.11 Pastoral Care and Welfare Provide support and guidance to staff and line managers as necessary in line with University policies. 8.12 Team Development To provide support and guidance to new members of the team in the day to day processes and procedures. 8.13 Teaching and Learning Support To develop and deliver appropriate training for management and staff on a range of legal issues to enable them to support the University s objectives and ensure the University meets its statutory obligations. When necessary, participate in events such as induction, open days and the annual diversity festival. 8.14 Knowledge and Experience Please refer to the person specification attached. 8.15 General
To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you. To uphold and comply with the University s Equality and Diversity policies in line with the public sector equality duty and to behave in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all. To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.
PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title & Department: Legal Services Officer Criteria Qualifications: Degree or equivalent qualification Masters degree or equivalent qualification (or working towards) Legal practising certificate Driving licence Proven Experience: Experience of practice as a solicitor or barrister either in private practice or in-house. Current knowledge of breadth and depth in some of the following fields of English law: commercial, contract, procurement, employment and equality, property, regulatory compliance, student complaints and discipline, information rights and intellectual property. Delivering academic and service excellence: Planning and project management skills. Drafting and report writing skills. Ability to develop initiatives and deliver results. Managing self and inspiring others: Ability to handle multiple legal matters simultaneously and to provide advice. Excellent communication skills with well-developed interpersonal skills. Discretion, tact and resourcefulness. Working together: Influencing, negotiating and advising skills Ability to gain credibility, inspire confidence and build relationships at all levels. Organisational and stakeholder awareness: A detailed understanding of English law and the ability to convey this to a varied audience. Awareness of the Higher Education environment. OR Desirable Desirable Desirable Method of identification (i.e. application form, interview, test) Selection Panel use this section to match your skills and abilities to the criteria outlined & & & & & Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT LEGAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE LEGAL SERVICES OFFICER SALARY SCALE University Scale OS10, points 35-39, 35,597-40,046 per annum payable monthly. RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University. HOURS OF WORK Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 5.30pm Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm (less one hour lunch break each day) A flexible approach to work will be required as there may be occasions when it would be necessary for you to work additional hours as dictated by the workload. HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT 22 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years), rising to 27 days after five years' continuous service. Two extra statutory days per annum during the Christmas period. MEDICAL ASSESSMENT Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University operates two pension schemes for support staff: The default scheme is the Higher Education Defined Contribution Scheme (HEDCS), which is administered by Friends Life. The Cheshire Local Government Pension Scheme, to which the University is an admitted body. All support staff are entitled to participate in one of these schemes. Some staff will be automatically enrolled into a scheme, depending on their age and earnings, but if they do not wish to remain a member of the scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Application forms must be submitted through our online webrecruitment page quoting reference number HRMS/13151 no later than Friday 4 th July 2014.