07 January 2022
Senior Policy Officer - Law Society of Northern Ireland
JOB TITLE: Senior
Policy Officer
REPORTING TO: Head of
Policy and Engagement
Summary of the role
The Senior Policy Officer will support the Department’s work to develop
and deliver high-quality policy and research and representing the solicitor
profession with external stakeholders. The
role requires strategic thinking to consider issues which may affect the
profession now and, in the future, and a positive, problem-solving approach to
dealing with those issues. Those with experience of developing policy in Government
or for a professional representative body would be well suited to the
work. Knowledge of the legal profession
would be beneficial but is not essential.
The main duties of the post include:
·
Proactively supporting the Chief Executive and
Presidential Team matters of policy and external engagement.
·
Drafting and presenting high-quality,
evidence-based policy papers to Committees and Council.
·
Preparing
high quality and timely responses to Government legislative and policy
proposals, representing the Society at meetings with Government Departments,
and evidence sessions before Committees of the Northern Ireland Assembly.
·
Producing
evidence-based research in support of the Society’s objectives and to assist
the Committees, the Presidential Team and the Society’s international
representatives in their decision-making and engagement activity.
·
Drafting
presentations and briefing for the Chief Executive, the Presidential team and
other senior management for delivery to Law Society and external audiences,
including at international events.
·
Monitoring and anticipating legislative and/or
social changes in respect of policy and practice, and to assess the impacts of
these changes.
·
Building and maintaining a strong expert
knowledge of legal services policy issues, contributing to the Society’s programme
of continuing professional development and training where appropriate.
·
Developing and maintaining trusted and
constructive relationships with stakeholders including solicitors, government
departments, industry and sister Law Societies.
·
Supporting the work of Society Committees and
working groups as required, which may include preparing the agenda, taking
minutes, preparing briefing notes and taking appropriate follow-up action.
·
Leading,
planning and managing the work of the Policy and Research team (currently three
staff), promoting a culture of excellence and continuous development.
·
Undertaking any other reasonable duties deemed
necessary for successful delivery of the Law Society’s objectives.
1. Person
specification
Essential
* A
University degree.
* A
minimum three years’ post-graduation experience in a relevant role with a focus
on policy and/or engagement.
Desirable
* A
minimum of three years’ experience developing policy in one of the following
areas:
a
Government Department or Arms’ Length Body;
a
professional representative organisation;
an
NGO; or
other
relevant employment aligned to the responsibilities of this role.
* Knowledge of the legal services sector in the
United Kingdom and Ireland.
* An awareness of the wider political and social
context of the justice sector in Northern Ireland, including the Belfast/Good
Friday Agreement.
* Experience of advising on Government policy
proposals and providing high impact responses to public consultation exercises.
2. Terms
of appointment
This is a full time, permanent
position. Alternative working patterns,
including job share will be considered.
The position will be based at
Law Society House, Victoria Street, Belfast. Some provision for homeworking is
possible.
Key benefits
Salary scale for the post is £31,760-38,484
per annum, dependent on experience.
A contributory pension scheme
to which the employer contributes at a rate of 10% of the salary.
Private health insurance.
The successful applicant will
undergo a probationary period of 6 months.
In addition to the normal
public and bank holidays, a leave entitlement of 22 days per annum which
increases to 25 days per annum after 5 years’ continuous service.
The Law Society is an Equal
Opportunities employer.
3. Selection
Process
All dates are indicative and
subject to change.
Applications
Applications forms must be
completed in full and submitted by 5pm, 31 January 2022. Late or
incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applications are to be submitted to fiona.dowds@lawsoc-ni.org
Email applications are preferred however postal
applications are accepted to:
Fiona Dowds, HR Manager
The Law Society of Northern Ireland
Law Society House
96 Victoria Street
Belfast
BT1 3GN
Shortlisting
A shortlisting exercise will take place week commencing 7 February 2022.
Interviews
Interviews will take place week commencing 14 February 2022.
The interview stage will include a presentation and competency-based
questions. Both the presentation topic and competency framework will be
provided to candidates in advance.
Documents
Senior Policy Officer Application Process and Supplementary Questions Jan 2022 FINAL