Legal Officer. Application Pack. Innovative conservation since 1903

Transcription

1 Legal Officer Application Pack In the past century FFI has consistently saved species from extinction and protected habitats from destruction. Their solutions have always been practical, efficient and sustainable in local circumstances. Sir David Attenborough, FFI Vice-president Innovative conservation since 1903

2 FAUNA & FLORA INTERNATIONAL Founded in 1903, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world s longest-established international conservation organisation. Our vision is to create a sustainable future for the planet where biodiversity is conserved by the people living closest to it. We aim to do this through the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems worldwide, choosing solutions that are sustainable, based on sound science and take account of human needs. We have become a trusted entity in the world of conservation. Today FFI is active in over 40 countries. FFI recently re-located to the newly refurbished David Attenborough Building on the New Museums Site, where the University of Cambridge and nine conservation organisations have collaborated to create the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) the largest grouping of nature conservation organisations and university researchers in the world. OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT The Chief Operating Officer (COO) oversees a growing team responsible for the operational and administrative functions of FFI, including Finance, HR, ICT, Facilities, Legal, Governance & Risk Management and Health, Safety & Security. THE OPPORTUNITY FFI is seeking a highly diligent and methodical Legal Officer to support FFI in compliance with statutory obligations, internal policies and procedures and funder requirements. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and working closely with members of the Operations Team and programmatic teams, you will review legal documents, carry out legal research and provide legal support to FFI s operations. You will have a Bachelor s degree or equivalent level qualification in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience, preferably in a legal setting, with experience in reviewing legal documentation, carrying out research and administration. You will have strong problem-solving, critical-thinking and analysis skills, with a meticulous attention to detail and a methodical approach to your work. Your excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills and customer focus will enable you to build effective personal and organisational relationships across our global operations. You will have excellent prioritisation and time-management skills, together with a proactive and pre-emptive approach to your work, enabling you to respond swiftly to changing organisational and team needs. Excellent IT skills and a desire to learn new systems, such as FFI s Microsoft SharePoint based intranet and FFI s customised online finance and project management system, are essential. In return, this role provides the opportunity to learn about governance, legal and compliance structures in an international setting and to develop and build on your existing knowledge and experience by working for a ground-breaking organisation at the forefront of global conservation.

3 TERMS AND CONDITIONS Start Date: Duration of contract: Probation Period: Salary range: Location: Benefits: As soon as possible Open Six months 25,000-30,000 per annum Fauna & Flora International, Cambridge, UK 25 working days annual holiday entitlement plus Public/Bank Holidays and any normal working days that fall between 24 December and 31 December inclusive, during which time FFI UK offices are closed. FFI currently provides a pension contribution of 2% of salary after 3 months continuous employment, rising to 8% of salary after the completion of 6 months continuous employment, or following completion of probationary period, whichever is the later. FFI also provides Group Life insurance, currently set at a benefit of 4 x basic salary. Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.30pm, with a one-hour lunch break. Some flexibility on hours of work may be considered. JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Reports to: Key internal relationships: Legal Officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) Governance & Risk Manager HR Team Finance Team FFI Programme Teams External advisers Purpose: To support the COO and the Operations Team in ensuring adherence to statutory and funder compliance and FFI s operational policies and procedures across the FFI global network

4 Legal review and research Undertake review of legal documents as requested by the COO Review funder agreements and contracts, highlighting areas of concern/risk and referring to relevant experts within FFI and/or external legal counsel as appropriate Support the preparation of sub-grant agreements and consultancy agreements, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures and with funder requirements (including the passing down of terms and conditions to sub-grantees or consultants) and highlighting any deviation from FFI templates Support due diligence checks on partner organisations, sub-contractors etc., particularly in respect of international financial sanctions, anti-terrorist and anti-money laundering legislation Liaise and consult with legal advisers as instructed by the COO Undertake research into specific legal or related topics at the request of the COO Statutory and funder compliance Support implementation of policies and procedures and adherence to statutory policies, such as Data Protection, across the FFI global network Assist the Governance & Risk Manager with the compilation and maintenance of company registers, liaising and consulting with trustees and staff as appropriate Maintain up-to-date understanding of funder compliance requirements and provide support to programme teams to meet such requirements, including developing funder compliance summaries/check-lists Policies and procedures Develop policies, procedures, management guidance, checklists and training materials to support and embed statutory and funder compliance and operational processes across the FFI global network Provide training in legal and funder compliance and operational processes as required Governance Assist with the process of notarisation and legalisation of company documents for use overseas Assist the Governance & Risk Manager with the production of papers for governance meetings and other governance matters Administration Maintain intranet-based (MyFFI) filing system of contracts, agreements and company documents signed by the CEO/DCEO/COO/Company Secretary Review compliance with FFI policies and procedures with regard to the filing and storage of legal project documentation Act as the internal point of contact for the COO s office for all legal matters Other Carry out any other reasonable duties which are consistent with the post and the aims and objectives of the position and the business need Duties may be altered, reasonably added or delegated from time to time to reflect changes within the organisation s activities and structure.

5 PERSON SPECIFICATION Essential Desirable Skills Meticulous attention to detail Methodical and diligent approach to work Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills Strong research and analysis skills Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Excellent business writing skills Excellent organisational and time management skills Financial literacy Skilled user of Microsoft Office suite Use of Microsoft SharePoint Knowledge and experience A Bachelor s degree or equivalent level qualification in a relevant subject or equivalent experience Understanding of legal terminology, with experience reviewing legal documents Research experience Relevant administrative experience, preferably in a charity, commercial, or legal setting Legal qualification / partly legally trained Experience developing policies and procedures Experience delivering training Behaviours Customer service focus Excellent team player Ability to build positive personal and organisational relationships Committed, enthusiastic and flexible approach to work Self-motivated, with pro-active and preemptive approach to work Ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision Ability to remain calm under pressure and manage competing demands Willingness to learn new systems and acquire new knowledge/ skills to meet the business need Interest in and empathy with the mission and values of FFI Other Entitlement to work in the UK

6 HOW TO APPLY Applications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you are applying for the position and relating your experience and skills to the role, a full CV, and contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission), should be submitted either electronically to jade.bedwell@fauna-flora.org or by post to: Jade Bedwell HR Assistant Fauna & Flora International The David Attenborough Building Pembroke Street Cambridge CB2 3QZ United Kingdom Please mark your application Legal Officer and indicate in your covering letter where you saw this position advertised. The closing date for applications is Thursday, 12 April Interviews are likely to take place during the week commencing Monday, 16 April Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion. APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES FFI encourages applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application, please contact Jade Bedwell, HR Administrator, FFI, on Tel: +44 (0) or jade.bedwell@fauna-flora.org. FFI values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity