Director of Programmes & Deputy Chief Executive

Transcription

1 Director of Programmes & Deputy Chief Executive Reports to: Chief Executive Salary: 43,530-46,372 Hours: Location: Contract: Benefits: 35 per week, full time Central London (Chancery Lane, WC2A 1JF) Permanent 5% contributory pension scheme & private healthcare cashback; 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and Christmas closing) increasing with service Background & introduction to LawWorks LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group. Our aim is to enable access to justice through supporting and developing the contribution of legal pro bono. With support from the Law Society, we encourage, facilitate and celebrate pro bono across the profession in England and Wales. We work primarily with solicitors (firms and in-house teams), and also with law schools and law students, and other legal and non-legal volunteers and organisations. LawWorks has around 150 members including some of the largest City firms and International firms with an office in London, national, regional and local firms, in-house teams, law schools and charities. LawWorks is a relatively small organisation with 17 members of staff (4 part-time) and a small team of volunteers and interns. 11 members of staff are currently based at the National Pro Bono Centre in London, with 6 further staff based in Wales, South West England, North West England, East of England and the Midlands. An organisation chart is on page 7. There are currently three key strands to our work to support and facilitate pro bono: We support a growing network of over 220 local independent pro bono advice clinics across England and Wales. We work with lawyers, advice agencies, charities and others to establish or develop new clinics, and provide ongoing information and support, for clinic volunteers and coordinators; Our Not-For-Profits Programme facilitates the provision of free legal advice for smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations, supported by volunteer lawyers 1

2 from among LawWorks members. We also provide free online training videos for charities, covering many of the common legal issues they face; We support a number of secondary specialisation projects to support the development of more in-depth pro bono, in areas of social welfare law (e.g., bespoke casework and/or representation). This includes supporting firms and individual solicitors to provide representation at 1st tier social security appeal tribunals, and (working with the charity Together for Short Lives for a project called Voices for Families ), to provide legal advice for parents and carers of children with life-limiting conditions. We are currently recruiting for an additional part-time solicitor to lead a new employment law pro bono project. LawWorks is a partner organisation for the Litigant in Person Support Strategy, working with Law for Life, the Personal Support Unit (PSU), RCJ Advice, the Bar Pro Bono Unit and the Access to Justice Foundation. Funded by the Ministry of Justice, the Strategy works to improve information, support, advice and representation for individuals going to court or tribunal without a lawyer. In addition to encouraging and supporting pro bono delivery, we also work to address barriers to justice and to provide a policy voice for pro bono. For example, working with others in the access to justice sector last year we produced a memorandum for the Justice Committee on the impact of the cuts to legal aid introduced by the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act (LASPO) We also provide the secretariat for the All Party Parliament Group on Pro Bono and Public Legal Education. We will shortly be publishing our new three-year strategy ( ). A key focus for LawWorks will be to continue to strengthen our support for pro bono activity in the English regions and in Wales. We are a busy and (for our size) complex charity, with a friendly team, a positive ethos and a commitment to doing all we can to ensure that LawWorks is a strong and efficient organisation and a great place to work Main purposes of role: Director of Programmes & Deputy Chief Executive To provide vision and leadership for the development and effective delivery of LawWorks programmes (e.g., supporting clinics and the Clinics network and the Not-For-Profits Programme). To actively contribute to the formulation of strategies, strategic goals, objectives and work plans of the organisation. To deputise for the Chief Executive. 2

3 With the Chief Executive, to lead on ensuring effective internal communications and policies and procedures (including human resources) are in place to meet current and future organisational objectives. To support fundraising and ensuring secure and diverse funding streams. Responsibilities: To provide leadership and vision for the LawWorks programmes team. As a member of the Senior Management Team (with the CEO and Director of Policy & External Affairs), to proactively contribute to, lead, share and support the development and delivery of LawWorks strategy, business plan and outcomes. Initiating, setting and monitoring goals for the programmes team according to LawWorks strategic objectives. To lead the development of LawWorks programmes and operations, to maximise the provision of pro bono legal advice and assistance for individuals and the not-for-profit organisations that support them. To work with the Fundraising Consultant, Chief Executive (and other staff as appropriate) to identify funding opportunities for programmes and also contribute to ensuring secure and diverse funding streams for LawWorks. To monitor funding and funder requirements for LawWorks and take lead responsibility for the meeting of targets and objectives, and produce timely monitoring, funding and other reports. To ensure that the LawWorks Clinic Network develops in line with organisational objectives and against agreed annual targets (including for the Litigant in Person Support Strategy). To ensure the development of the Not-For-Profits Programme in line with organisational objectives and against agreed annual targets. To ensure linkages are made between the different work streams within programmes and LawWorks more widely and contribute to maximising the overall impact and efficiency of LawWorks activities. To ensure the provision of support to clinics that maximises learning, impact and clinic best practice. To manage relevant budgets. 3

4 To provide leadership, effective line management support and performance review structures for designated staff. To have lead responsibility, working with the Chief Executive, on maintaining and developing internal communications and ensuring that internal policies (including HR, training and performance evaluation), procedures and practices are effective, efficient and up-to-date. To be familiar and-up-to-date with the tasks and responsibilities of the Chief Executive and deputise when required (including in areas of representation and external relations, management and governance). In the absence of the Chief Executive, to assume responsibility and accountability of the Chief Executive s role. To contribute to the promotion and influence of LawWorks externally including maintaining and developing relationships, building our profile, and growing the recognition of LawWorks as an authoritative voice on legal pro bono issues and practice. To undertake any other tasks which may be required in the furtherance of LawWorks objectives, through discussion and negotiation. Person specification Essential criteria Significant experience of leading programmes and/or project management - including planning, development, implementation, operations, evaluation and reporting, resulting in measurable successes and programme development; Effective team leadership and/or line-management experience (including supervisions, staff development and support) driving performance to achieve ambitious and challenging annual objectives; Excellent planning and organisation skills able to plan and organise work for self, team and cross-organisation, to expected timescales and standards; Demonstrable fundraising experience and success, including writing compelling funding proposals, managing relationships with funders and ensuring targets and reporting criteria are met; Experience of working in, or extensively with, the charity and not-for-profit sector; 4

5 Experience of, and commitment to, proactively identifying and leading on opportunities for relationship-building, networking and fronting an organisation or project; Ability to establish credibility with key stakeholders and excellent relationship, networking and influencing skills; Excellent verbal communication skills including ability to chair meetings effectively, public speaking and presentations; Excellent written communication skills including reports (e.g., for funders and trustees), and ability to contribute to LawWorks internal and external communications; Experience of financial and budget management (including setting, monitoring and reporting on team and/or project budgets); Excellent self-management skills able to work independently and as part of a team; Excellent IT skills and ability to proactively use contact management systems [note: training will be provided if required], and confidence to oversee the management of LawWorks IT systems and effectively project manage ad hoc IT developments; Ability to think and plan strategically, with also an eye for detail; A demonstrable commitment to equality and diversity; Educated to degree level or equivalent. Desirable criteria Experience of the legal professions in England and Wales; Experience of working to enable access to justice, through service provision and/or a policy influencing role; Experience of working for a membership organisation. Knowledge of philanthropy in the UK and the charity sector landscape; A diploma level or equivalent level training in Management relevant to the sector. Personal qualities High levels of integrity, honesty and credibility; Positive, resilient and supportive of others; Flexibility and a practical, can-do attitude; Results focussed, with capacity to respond creatively to challenges, opportunities and change. 5

6 Demonstrably highly-driven and ambitious, personally and for LawWorks and our beneficiaries; Understanding of and commitment to LawWorks values and the importance of access to justice. How to apply Please submit a detailed CV and a covering letter (maximum 5 sides of A4 in total) outlining why you are interested in this role and highlighting how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria in the person specification. (Please address as much of the person specification as you can. We recognise that applicants may be much stronger on some of the requirements for the role than others.) Please apply by 5.00pm on Wednesday 14 th February. Submit your application to applications@lawworks.org.uk citing DofP/Deputy CEO in the subject line. For an informal conversation about the role (in confidence) please contact Martin Barnes, Chief Executive at martin.barnes@lawworks.org.uk. We are aiming to interview shortlisted candidates on Wednesday 28 th or Thursday 1 st March (the interviews to be held in central London). If you are unable to attend any of these dates, please mention with your application. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete and return a written exercise prior to the interview. LawWorks is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications irrespective of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. January

7 LawWorks Structure CEO Director of Policy & External Affairs Director of Programmes & Deputy CEO Head of Learning & Practice Head of Clinic Support & Head of Not-For- Profits Programme Membership & Engagement Officer Fundraising Consultant Solicitor (p/t) Training & Administration Officer Clinic Support & Officer (Wales) (p/t) Not-For-Profits Programme Caseworker Communications Officer Solicitor (p/t) IT Volunteer Clinic Support & Officer (London & South East) Membership and Training Officer (Wales) (p/t) Salesforce Consultant Regional Support & Officer (Midlands) Regional Support & Officer (East) (p/t) 7