Legal Adviser

Responsibilities may include:

Acting on a wide range of legal matters running in parallel providing advice and support on the following legal areas and topics:

• Legislation applying to the higher education sector including the Higher Education and Research Act 2017

• Data protection and information law including legislation implementing the GDPR and the Freedom of information Act 2000

• Legal topics relevant to decision making and supporting processes such as public law principles statutory duties and considerations the delegation of functions and equalities legislation

• Human rights law

• Charity law

• The law relating to defamation

• Managing the conduct of litigation activities such as judicial review proceedings statutory appeals and regulatory investigations (including the use of dawn raid powers);

• Consumer protection law

• The use of the OfSs enforcement and information gathering powers;

• The regulatory framework and registration conditions that apply to higher education providers.

Supporting the Legal Senior Leadership Team and other senior lawyers in operating the legal function within the OfS

• Commissioning external legal support (including Counsel)

• Fees are negotiated with external legal and other support service providers and Barristers clerks in or der to ensure value for money

• Lead on the production of internal guidance documents on key legal and regulatory issues to a high standard

• Training for the legal team is organised in line with professional CPD requirements

External and internal stakeholder management

• Working closely with the Legal Senior Leadership Team and senior lawyers in the team to deliver the objectives of the OfS

• An understanding of senior leadership team objectives concerns and aspirations is developed

• Engages with internal and external stakeholders including by building on proven experience of developing and maintaining productive relationships with key internal stakeholders eg heads of teams policy leads

• Knowledge development

• An expert knowledge and understanding of the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 is developed

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the work and operations of the OfS is established

About you

This role would suit a qualified solicitor or barrister with a strong interest in public law and regulatory issues and a flexible creative approach. Excellent written and spoken communication and presentation skills are essential including the ability to influence and negotiate.

While your legal career to date may have been in a different sector you will have directly transferable regulatory and/or public law experience. We offer a supportive environment that enables you to get up to speed but you will need experience in at least two of the following areas:

• Working on litigation cases involving judicial review and/or regulatory appeals;

• The interpretation of regulatory rules such as licence conditions

• The interpretation and application of sector-specific legislation which relates to a regulatory body

• Investigation and enforcement in a regulatory context

For the purposes of recruitment to the role we are measuring the following core competencies:

Making effective decisions

Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships

• I empower colleagues to make effective decisions.

• I recognise my own biases and assumptions and manage them to make better decisions.

• I actively weigh up information from a range of sources identifying advantages disadvantages risks and impacts to make decisions that take account of the wider organisational political and regulatory context.

• I encourage innovative suggestions and challenge from others to support informed decision making.

• I use sound judgment in drawing on legal advice and public consultation approaches wherever necessary and appropriate.

Delivering at pace

Level 2: Managing and influencing others

• I promote the importance of following the appropriate procedures to ensure results are achieved on time and are of the right quality.

• I regularly monitor my own and my teams progress against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks.

• I act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities when there are conflicting demands to be resolved.

• I show a positive approach to keeping the teams efforts focused on top priorities.

Communicating and influencing

Level 3: Managing and influencing complex team or project relationships

• I actively deploy different methods for influencing others including making the most of digital resources to respond to different learning styles.

• I act as a role model to others by communicating with clarity honesty and enthusiasm to build trust.

• I am open-minded and impartial in discussion so I can adjust my arguments to respect the diverse interests and opinions of others.

• I deliver difficult messages with clarity and sensitivity.

• I can articulate arguments and reasons in a clear and persuasive manner.

Collaborating and partnering

Level 2: Managing and influencing others:

• I seek information resources and support as appropriate from others across the OfS to help achieve results.

• I invest time to develop an OfS common focus and team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another.

• I take responsibility for creating an OfS working environment that encourages collaboration diversity and inclusion.

• I actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Working for us