JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE:
PRINCIPAL OFFICER LEGAL (ECR12)
GRADE:
BAND 4
DEPARTMENT
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND RIGHTS
LOCATION:
HAMILTON HOUSE
RESPONSIBLE TO:
ASSISTANT
SECRETARY
CONDITIONS AND RIGHTS
–
EMPLOYMENT
ROLE OF DEPARTMENT
The Employment Conditions and Rights Department of the National Union of Teachers is
responsible for the Union’s work on contractual and workplace issues relevant to the rights
of teachers. This includes policy development and casework support on health and safety,
conditions of service and employment rights matters. It provides guidance on matters of law
affecting teachers and assists with the provision of legal services to members in pursuit of
claims.
The Union’s legal assistance service includes the defence of members and the pursuit of
claims in negligence, breach of contract, defamation and other cases arising out of or in the
course of the professional life or Union activity of members. The Department will work
closely with the staff of Union's regional offices/Wales office who have also a responsibility
to give casework assistance to members through collective union and legal processes. The
Department works alongside the Union's Senior Solicitor who has responsibility for litigation
conducted in the name of the Union and who has oversight of legal services. The
Department also coordinates local solicitors instructed by the Union on behalf of members.
The Department operates under the direction of the Assistant Secretary – Employment
Conditions and Rights and the oversight on legal issues of the Senior Solicitor.
GENERAL DUTIES
The General Secretary has overall responsibility for the management and administration of
the Union and all assistant secretaries and staff work under her/his general direction. The
Senior Solicitor has overall responsibility for legal aspects of the Union's work. The
departments of the Union are headed by the Assistant Secretaries who have supervision of
the staff of their departments and are responsible for the management of staff and their
effective deployment to allow the Union to respond to and initiate activities in the most
dynamic way.
Principal Officers are responsible to an Assistant Secretaries or other senior employee as
their head of department for assisting in providing advice on Union policy development,
implementation and promotion of policies and activities. Under the direct of their head of
department, Principal Officers have day-to-day managerial and administration
responsibilities for areas of work within their departments. Principal Officers may be called
upon by their head of department from time-to-time to deputise in his or her absence.
Broad responsibilities are allocated to particular Principal Officers in their departments.
Principal Officers are also expected to co-operate and liaise with other departments.
Assistant Secretaries other than the head of department to whom a Principal Officer is
directly responsible, may have policy responsibilities in areas of a Principal Officer's work.
Principal Officers will have a functional relationship with those Assistant Secretaries.
PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
To contribute to the administration of a supply of information and analysis on legal
and conditions of service issues affecting teachers.
2.
To contribute to the supply of guidance to support union representatives in
negotiations and representations on behalf of Union members on legal and
conditions of service issues.
3.
To apply knowledge and experience in assisting with and advising on the pursuit of
claims and litigation on behalf of members.
4.
To initiate and assist in the preparation of relevant policy statements and
communications on matters affecting teachers employment rights and conditions of
service.
5.
To assist in national and local training programme and with the training and briefing
for Union staff in those areas relevant to the policy areas and remit of the post.
6.
To attend external meetings and conference including residential conference on
behalf of the Union.
7.
To assist in servicing working parties and committees.
8.
To support the Assistant Secretary in areas of work as appropriate in work carried
out in partnership with other departments.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential Criteria
(a)
Recent and relevant experience of advisory or policy work on legal and
contractual rights of employees.
(b)
Knowledge and expertise, or the ability to acquire such knowledge and
expertise, in teachers conditions of service issues and to apply such
knowledge and expertise in the promotion of the interests of teachers and
union members.
(c)
Ability to present the Union’s policies and objectives both in writing and orally
to members of the Union and to outside organisations.
(d)
Ability to develop and present advice to union representatives and staff on
conditions of service and legal issues in accessible and appropriate formats in
writing and in presentations and training.
(e)
Ability to advise on and assist with pursuit of employment law claims.
(f)
Ability to manage time under pressure and to respond rapidly to new
initiatives and requests for information.
(g)
Research and analytical skills.
(h)
The ability to supervise staff and delegate work.
Desirable Criteria
None
2.
EXPERIENCE
Essential Criteria
None
Desirable Criteria
3.
(a)
Experience of promoting organisational policy aims through publications,
advice and briefings.
(b)
Experience of writing and producing materials for publication.
(c)
Experience of developing training materials and providing training.
(d)
Understanding of the education service and the role of teacher trade unions
within it.
(e)
Experience of working within a trade union in an employed or voluntary role.
(f)
Experience of similar work to that required in 1(a) to 1(c) above.
EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Criteria
(a)
Current knowledge of employment law and employment tribunal procedures.
(b)
High standard of written English.
(c)
Degree level education.
Desirable Criteria
(a)
3.
Relevant legal qualification or educational background.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Essential Criteria
(a)
Understanding of and commitment to the Union's Equal Opportunities Policy
Statement.
(b)
A firm commitment to the trade union movement, to the role of teacher unions
in particular and to the belief that enhancing the teaching profession is an
essential element in a public education service.
(c)
A willingness to travel and to attend meetings and events which may require
stays away from home or at the Union’s education centre Stoke Rochford
Hall.