LEGAL ADVISOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
CONTEXT
The Legal Advice Service at Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS) provides specialist legal advice,
information, support and training to voluntary and community organisations and social
enterprises in Sheffield and throughout England. This role is part of VAS’s Professional
Services Team, which also includes accountancy and payroll, HR, enterprise and development
and support to small groups.
The Legal Advice Service and the Legal Advisor’s post were created in 1998 in order for
charities and voluntary and community groups in Sheffield to have access to free or low cost
legal advice and assistance in relation to a variety of non-contentious matters. In the past ten
years as grant funding for the service reduced, we introduced fees for this service. It now
generates in the area of £57,000 in fees pa and is almost entirely self sustaining through
income generation, with occasional small grants to support specific pieces of work.
The work varies from giving brief advice by phone or email to drafting complex documents and
participating in detailed negotiations. This post is also a real opportunity to help third sector
organisations develop good governance and influence statutory sector commissioning.
Over the years, the type of work has included many charity and social enterprise registrations,
developing good practice in relation to contracts with statutory bodies and writing numerous
guides and information resources for organisations at all levels.
The Legal Advisor has also developed relationships with local solicitors’ firms who have a
proven track record of working with charities. Their details are contained in the Sheffield
Legal Services Network brochure on VAS’s website. Clients can be directed to them for advice
and help on matters that the Legal Advisor has not been able to deal with, such as forming
registered co-operatives, litigation, conveyancing and specialist areas such as Intellectual
Property and defamation.
Core responsibilities
1. To provide voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises with appropriate
advice, information, support on legal issues, in particular on Charity Law, Company Law,
and other legal matters relevant to the administration and management of not-for-profit
organisations; and to promote good practice on legal matters among the voluntary and
community sector locally.
2. To be an advocate on behalf of organisations and where appropriate lobby and raise
awareness of legal issues affecting the voluntary and community sector.
3. To work within the Professional Services Team to market and provide packages of
services to organisations; and provide advice and information as a resource for VAS staff
and trustees as appropriate.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountable to:
Services Business Development Manager
Principal duties
1. Provide one to one advice, information and support to voluntary and community
organisations and social enterprises on legal matters related to their administration and
management.
2. Develop and provide services to promote knowledge and good practice in the above
through information leaflets, briefings and resources packs, and through events and
short courses.
3. Provide support to groups including the development of tailor made contracts and
policies and procedures related to core responsibilities.
4. Develop agreements for the work and keep careful records to both ensure good
customer service and accurate invoicing.
5. Work with the department manager to ensure sustainability of the service and set and
monitor achievable budgets and income forecasts for the service.
6. Keep up to date with developments in legislation and related good practice to enable an
effective service.
7. Develop knowledge of other sources of advice, support and services relevant to
voluntary and community organisations and signpost to these services where
appropriate.
8. Monitor the work (using VAS’s database) to inform the development of the work and
satisfy management and any funding requirements.
9. Promote the service through appropriate outreach work and publicity.
10. Work with colleagues in Professional Services to provide a seamless service to
organisations. Contribute to other teams at VAS and provide advice and resources for
VAS staff and trustees on relevant legislation and good practice.
11. .Participate in meetings and networks relevant to the duties of the post.
12. The post holder is required to work as part of VAS team in a professional manner, in
accordance with policies, procedures and equal opportunities practices.
13. The post holder is required to participate in training and development opportunities as
part of the required professional development for this post.
14. Other duties as required within the general scope of the post, subject to consultation.
This is not a final and complete statement of duties which may be amended from time to
time in accordance with the changing needs of VAS.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Core hours: Negotiable. We are willing to explore a part-time or full time post (full-time is 35
hours per week). Office hours, 9.00-5.00, Monday- Friday. There will be some requirement to
work outside of these hours on occasion (evening and occasional weekend meetings) and
time-off in lieu will be given. Hours/ days to be worked will be established by consultation
between the post holder and the Manager.
Salary: appointment will be made between £27,323 - £34,894 depending on experience
(pro rata if part-time).
Pension: 6% voluntary employer contributory pension on successful completion of three -month
probationary period
Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave plus 11 public/concessionary days, pro-rata for part-time
staff (5 days pro rata mandatory unpaid leave)
Other conditions as set out in the contract of employment.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
LEGAL ADVISOR
Essential
Experience


Skills and ability
Knowledge &
understanding
Legal advice and support to charities and not for
profit organisations:
 Charity and company registration,
 legal structures,
 governing documents, governance;
 organisational policy development;
 drafting and negotiating contracts;
 trustee liability and risk management;
Delivering charged for services and income
generation.
Desirable

Staff management

Training and facilitation

Legal advice and support to charities and not for
profit organisations:
-
Leases, tenancies and licences of premises,
-
Charity mergers and trading arms;
-
consortium development.

Excellent communication skills both written and
verbal

IT literate, especially Microsoft office, Excel,
Powerpoint, Outlook

Excellent organisational/planning skills and able to
manage time/multiple tasks and work to tight
deadlines.

Knowledge and understanding of:

contract law,






procurement issues;

Consortium development.

Charity mergers and training arms

Premises and tenures
Company Law
Charity law
Governance and structures
Policy development
Trustees liability and risk management
Personal
Attributes
Qualifications

Track record in problem solving and exercising
sound judgement

Commitment to equality and diversity

Positive approach to team working

Customer focussed

Flexible and able to work outside of normal office
hours where needed

Can deal appropriately with sensitive or confidential
information

Takes initiative and responsibility.

Law Degree is a minimum qualification

Qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive