Temporary Opportunity for Legal Officer
The Ombudsman is seeking applications for consideration for the following post:
Legal Officer – Maternity Cover (9 months, subject to review)
The Office of the NI Ombudsman is undergoing significant change and this is an opportunity
to play an important role in interpreting and applying complex legislative changes.
The post holder will be required to provide legal advice and assistance on a wide variety of
topics including public and administrative law; planning; housing; as well as privacy and
human rights law. In addition the post holder will be the first point of contact with external
legal providers and support the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman in discharging their
functions generally.
This post is being offered on a temporary basis (initially 9 months subject to review), to
provide maternity cover in support of the role of the Deputy Ombudsman. The main duties
and responsibilities of the post are outlined in the attached job description.
The application form, job description and person specification for this post are available for
download from our website (www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk) or by contacting Patrick McAuley,
HR Project Manager, by email: patrick.mcauley@ni-ombudsman.org.uk.
Please ensure you meet the essential requirements for the post as outlined in the person
specification. Only applicants who meet the essential criteria will be invited to attend for
interview.
Completed application forms can either be emailed directly to Patrick McAuley
(patrick.mcauley@ni-ombudsman.org.uk) or delivered by post to:
Patrick McAuley
HR Project Manager
NI Ombudsman’s Office
Progressive House
33 Wellington Place
Belfast
BT1 6HN
Closing date for the receipt of applications is 4.00pm on Friday 5th February 2016
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
The Office of the NI Ombudsman is an Equal Opportunities employer.
Person Specification
Date: January 2016
Post:
Legal Officer
Responsible to:
Deputy Ombudsman
Responsible for:
none
Grade:
Staff Officer
Salary:
£28,500 - £31,135
Location:
Belfast
Criteria
Essential
Desirable
Education &
Experience
 Qualified solicitor or barrister;
 Minimum of 3 years postqualification experience of
providing legal advice to tight
deadlines;
 Experience of providing advice on
matters of public and administrative
law;
 Experience of providing legal advice
on judicial review;
Knowledge
 Knowledge of the role of the
Ombudsman within the
administrative justice landscape;
 Experience of applying data
protection and freedom of
information law in practice;
Job related
aptitude and
skills
 Ability to exercise sound and
balanced judgment in handling
complex issues in a sensitive and
high-profile environment;
 Organisational and planning skills
and the ability to work under
pressure to tight time-scales and
manage competing work priorities;
 Strong analytical skills, including the
ability to identify and interpret
relevant legislation, regulations or
procedural requirements, and to
appropriately apply them;
 Excellent written and oral
communications skills, with the
ability to capture all important facts
and opinions in drafting detailed
letters, reports, submissions and
policy documents and to draw
evidence-based conclusions and
make appropriate
recommendations.
If it is necessary to further reduce the pool of eligible candidates, some or all of the desirable criteria
may be used at shortlisting.
NI Assembly Ombudsman/NI Commissioner for Complaints (AOCC)
Job Description
Date: January 2016
Post:
Legal Officer
Reporting to:
Deputy Ombudsman
Responsible for:
None
Grade:
Staff Officer
Salary:
£28,500 - £31,135
Location:
Belfast
Main purpose of job
To provide case related legal advice to the Ombudsman. To respond to all information requests and
manage all information handling related issues. To assist the Ombudsman in ensuring the Office is
informed about, and able to respond proactively and effectively to, legislative changes, relevant
policy developments and initiatives emanating from the NI Assembly and UK Parliaments and
Government.
Summary of principal duties and responsibilities
Providing advice and expertise

Assist the Deputy Ombudsman in ‘instructing’ on case related legal advice and preparing legal
and advisory opinions as appropriate.

Respond to all information requests and information handling related issues, particularly those
relating to FOI and data protection.

Provide advice on the Ombudsman legislation and any new areas of jurisdiction as required.

Support the Deputy Ombudsman in communicating relevant changes in NI and across the wider
UK legal/jurisdictional and administrative justice landscapes that may have implications for how
the Office handles complaints.

Support the Ombudsman in the adjudication function relating to Local Government Standards

Ensure an up-to-date knowledge of legal issues (e.g. judicial review) that may impact on the NI
Ombudsman Office and advise the Deputy Ombudsman when external legal advice may be
required.

Support the development of an Office ‘knowledge bank’ on legal/jurisdictional areas through
written guidance, verbal updates and meetings etc.

Provide legal advice and assistance in relation to legal challenges brought against the Office.

Provide legal advice and support to colleagues;

Maintain good working relationships with colleagues and those working in other ombudsman
offices.
Policy Development

Support the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman to develop and present proposals proactively in response to changes in legislation or in the administrative justice landscape that
impact on the role and remit of the NI Ombudsman.

Support the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman and the Senior Management Team in
preparing for extensions in jurisdiction in particular advising on legislative changes.
Casework

When required, to assess, determine and investigate complaints made to the Ombudsman in
accordance with the operational procedures and standards determined by the Ombudsman and
within the authority delegated by him.
Outreach and communications

Contribute to external communications (newsletters, briefings, and information material) to
inform relevant stakeholders of the Office’s role and remit.

Assist with the preparation of reports and presentations for the Ombudsman and Deputy
Ombudsman as appropriate.
Service delivery

Support the Deputy Ombudsman in preparing for and implementing the specific proposed
changes arising from the new Ombudsman legislation, including stakeholder engagement and
knowledge transfer internally and externally.

Occasionally promote the role of the Ombudsman at external events.

To undertake other such relevant duties as may be required from time to time.
General Responsibilities & Duties

Adhere to and promote the Office policies on Equality of Opportunity and Dignity at Work,
demonstrating a commitment to the principles of equality, fairness and diversity in all aspects
of work;



Have due regard for your own safety and that of others, behaving appropriately at all times and
reporting all accidents no matter how minor;
Take responsibility for the development of own skills and knowledge through proactive
engagement in the internal performance review processes;
Undertake ad-hoc, cross-functional project work supporting the development of the Office and
service provision as reasonably requested by your line manager.