PLEASE NOTE: Although this role is homebased, candidates MUST be based in the north or south west of England. The ability to undertake regular travel across Southwest or North England is essential.
About LawWorks
What we do
LawWorks is the operating name of the Solicitors Pro Bono Group. We are a charity, and our aim is to enable access to justice through supporting and developing the contribution of legal pro bono.
With support from the Law Society of England and Wales, we encourage, facilitate and celebrate pro bono across the solicitor profession and at law schools in England and Wales.
Who we work with
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 member organisations 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.
Who we are
LawWorks is a relatively small organisation with 18 members of staff (5 full-time) and a small team of volunteers and interns. We operate a flexible working policy, with several members of staff working hybrid, or where appropriate, from home.
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 LawWorks is a strong and efficient organisation and a great place to work.
Our projects
There are a number of key strands to our work to support and facilitate pro bono:
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we support a growing network of around 300 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, training and resources, for clinic volunteers and coordinators;
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our Not-for-Profits Programme facilitates the provision of free legal advice for smaller charities and not-for-profit organisations, supported by volunteer lawyers from LawWorks’ members;
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our Secondary Specialisation Programme supports the development of more ‘in-depth’ pro bono in areas of social welfare law. This currently includes an unpaid wages project and ‘Voices for Families’, with the charity Together for Short Lives, supporting parents and carers of children with life-limiting conditions;
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we support collaborative projects including: Pro Bono Connect: a project which facilitates barristers and solicitors working together on pro bono cases; the Domestic Abuse Response Alliance and IP Pro Bono.
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we have launched new online tools and digital platforms including a website called ‘Free Legal Answers’ and the Pro Bono Portal UK (with Justice Connect, an Australian access to justice charity).
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 to address regulatory and other barriers to pro bono volunteering, and working with our members and others to influence policy on legal aid and other aspects of access to justice.
The role
Our experience in the different regions in England and Wales has shown the valueof having staff based locally to support pro bono initiatives, develop new pro bono opportunities and to increase engagement from the local legal profession.
This role will include helping to develop and support your own set of clinics, building on existing relationships in the Southwest or North of England. You will work with our members and the local advice sector to support the development of new pro bono clinics to meet unmet legal needs. We take an innovative, tailored approach to the support we provide, and you will provide one-to one support for individual clinics, allowing you to identify and address need, providing help with insurance, regulatory queries, finding volunteers and access to online tools.
A small part of the role (1 day per week) will involve working closely with the part-time Engagement & Training Officer (Wales) focusing on expanding stakeholder engagement to increase the number of independent legal advice clinics in Wales and promote pro bono involvement by the legal profession. You will work to identify and engage new stakeholders, develop training sessions and support impact monitoring. This role will also work closely with the Clinic Support and Development Officer (Wales), who acts as the first point of contact for guidance and support for clinics in Wales.
Key priorities for this role will be:
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To provide guidance and support to independent pro bono clinics registered with the LawWorks Clinics Network in the Southwest or North of England;
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To increase the number of individuals in Southwest or North England provided with free legal advice at clinics in the LawWorks Clinics Network by identifying opportunities for new pro bono advice clinics, supporting local stakeholders to develop new services to meet unmet legal needs in their area;
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To support and grow pro bono volunteering and LawWorks’ membership (e.g., law firms and in-house legal teams);
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To identify the training needs of LawWorks’ members, clinics and their volunteers in Southwest or North England, working with colleagues to arrange regional training and other events.
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To support the Engagement & Training Officer (Wales) with the delivery of the training plan in Wales.
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To lead on communications with LawWorks’ members, clinics and their volunteers in Southwest or North England.
We are looking for a confident networker who is able to identify opportunities andestablish new partnerships. All of LawWorks’ work is delivered through partnerships so it is essential that the candidate is personable, collaborative and an effective communicator.
A background in the legal or advice sector will be an advantage, but not essential - training and support will be provided for someone from another sector who is passionate about pro bono and access to justice and willing to learn. Experience of managing multiple projects and seeing them through to completion will also be an advantage.
The role offers variety, autonomy, the opportunity to help develop new initiatives from idea to launch, and a chance to support local communities and volunteer lawyers.
The position will be predominantly home based, with some travel throughout the Southwest or North of England, and occasional travel to LawWorks’ office in central London.
Primary purpose of role
To increase the amount and quality of pro bono legal advice being delivered in the Southwest or North of England and Wales through legal advice clinics, working with the local legal profession, law schools, advice agencies and other stakeholders, to identify new pro bono opportunities and ways in which LawWorks can better support the delivery of pro bono.
Key task areas and duties
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To develop relationships with law firms, legal teams, free legal advice clinics and other relevant stakeholders to identify their needs, plans and priorities in relation to pro bono.
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To facilitate sharing between stakeholders in the region to identify best practice, local opportunities for collaborative working and local training and support needs, and to assist in taking these forward.
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Support LawWorks’ clinic development work in the region, in line with annual support and development targets.
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As the first point of contact for our stakeholders in the Southwest or North, support clinics and members with troubleshooting queries, accessing resources and ensuring that contact information and website content related to their services is kept up to date.
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To work with the wider LawWorks team to support member recruitment and the delivery of local engagement events.
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To work with clinics in the region to support data collection, evaluation and impact assessment for internal and donor purposes and to inform policy.
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To contribute to the overall development and running of LawWorks, undertaking any other tasks which may from time to time be required.
Person Specification
Essential
- Experience of working on (or demonstrable ability to deliver) comparable or similar projects (e.g., involving networking, support and project development)
- Experience of excellent of stakeholder support, relationship building, and collaborative working
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including making presentations
- Excellent interpersonal skills and confident in networking with people of varying seniority and backgrounds
- Experience of devising and following project plans, and ensuring personal and organisational targets are met or exceeded
- Experience of working effectively in a partnership or team to achieve shared objectives
- Ability to undertake regular travel across Southwest or North England is essential. This may involve early starts, late finishes and occasional overnight stays
- Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team, and confidence in your ability to develop strategies to overcome the challenges of working remotely from the rest of your team
- A genuine commitment to driving forward LawWorks’ aims and work to meet the needs of our beneficiaries
- A demonstratable commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Desireable
- Good knowledge of legal advice clinics and the context in which they operate, including how law schools and the legal profession engage in volunteering
- Previous experience working at a membership/network-based organisation, and/or working with volunteers
- Experience of coordinating events or training (online and in-person)
- A sound understanding of web-based communications and strong IT skills
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job title: Employment and Engagement Adviser
Location: Hybrid, contracted to work at our Manchester or Birmingham office at least 2 days a week.
Salary: £26,000 - £29,000
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with occasional evening/weekend work (TOIL provided)
Contract: 12 months FTC, with intention to make permanent if pilot is successful/subject to funding
Language requirements: Fluency in English and at least one target language is desirable e.g., Arabic, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Pashto, Farsi, Dari or Cantonese.
Overall purpose
We are excited to pilot a new type of Employment Adviser role in our Services team, focusing on building relationships with local employers to support our job-ready clients in securing employment.
You will build networks of local employers and collaborate with our Employment Advisers to help clients with intensive job searches and applications, while managing your own caseload of work-ready clients.
We are seeking candidates with experience in engaging employers and knowledge of the local job market, including finding hidden opportunities.
The primary focus of your role will be helping individuals facing employment barriers, especially those who have experienced forced migration, find paid work. You will manage a fast-paced caseload, providing one-on-one support to clients online, by phone and in person to help them reach their employment goals.
In addition to direct client work, you will assist the team in identifying job opportunities and work with the Senior Services Manager to develop key employer relationships. You will also coordinate your clients access to volunteer-led support, scheduling mock interviews and practice sessions.
We offer a collaborative team environment where your contributions are valued, and you can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
To view the full job description and person specification, as well as details on our accessible recruitment process, please view the attached recruitment pack.
Other considerations
- As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out preemployment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.
- Some travel between our different areas of operation (including London, Birmingham and Manchester) will be required. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Time off in lieu would be provided in this case.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.
How to apply
If you are looking for a role where you can make a real difference, we want to hear from you. To apply, please submit a CV and statement (up to approximately 500 words/1 A4 page) outlining:
- Which location you are applying for
- Why you are interested in the role
- What skills you would bring to be successful in this role
- Any experience you would like to highlight
- Any reasonable adjustments you require for the interview process
- Disclosure of disabilities if you wish to do so (as a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role)
Please note that applications without a covering letter will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is 11:30pm on Sunday 20th October. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
We belong to the Experts by Experience Employment Initiative, which advocates and supports organisations to employ more people from a refugee background. With this in mind, we particularly welcome applicants with experience of seeking asylum and/or a refugee background.
If you are an expert by experience (a refugee or a migrant with direct, first-hand experience of issues and challenges of the UK asylum or immigration system), you can ask for an independent and confidential support for your job application from the Experts by Experience Employment Network. Please reach out to HR Manager Dani Meier for further details (we are unable to include email addresses in this advert, but you can find contact details on the final page of the attached recruitment pack).
Breaking Barriers exists so that every refugee can access meaningful employment and build a new life.
Are you the next Director of Adavu?
- Do you have a proven track record in leading organisations supporting vulnerable people?
- Are you passionate, as we are, about tackling modern slavery and supporting survivors in the West Midlands region to rebuild their lives?
- If so, then you might be just the person we are looking for to lead Adavu as we continue to grow and develop
Adavu is a registered charity (CIO no. 1199391) which responds to modern slavery in the West Midlands. Our main area of work is offering long-term support and advocacy for adult survivors of modern slavery .
We are seeking a competent and passionate individual to lead on the strategic leadership of the organisation and, working with the Board of Trustees, to set vision and direction. This role will oversee and implement Adavu’s key operations that include HR and line management of three key staff members; financial systems and processes; liaison with outsourced professional services such as payroll and financial services; fundraising activities and grant bids; develop and maintain partnerships with other organisations; contribute towards wider systemic change in policy and research; and maintain and develop Adavu’s marketing and communications.
If you’re a strategic leader with a talent for building partnerships and raising profiles, thrive in a collaborative environment, and are eager to lead a small, dedicated team, we’d love to hear from you.
Key responsibilities
Strategic
- To provide leadership for Adavu, working with the Board of Trustees to shape vision and direction and to form a strategic plan
- To identify, within a constantly evolving policy context, strategic opportunities and potential partnerships to shape, influence and create systemic change
- Contribute to relevant fora, partnerships and networks to raise awareness and advocate for change
- Participate in relevant research and policy consultations
- To develop and maintain external relationships with stakeholders
- To work with the Board of Trustees to develop and strengthen good governance, including compliance with legal and regulatory responsibilities, policy creation and review, strategic risk management and training
HR
- Line management of the Adavu Casework Manager, Volunteer Co-ordinator and Wellbeing Worker
- Recruitment of new employees
- Oversee the staff and volunteer team including regular team meetings, away days and wellbeing activities
Financial
- Preparation of monthly management accounts (to form the basis of quarterly financial reports from Adavu’s outsourced financial services)
- Oversee and arrange the payment of the payroll (including pension) each month (outsourced payroll services will produce monthly reports for calculations)
- Arrange payment of all invoices
- Prepare annual budgets
- Monitor and report on grant expenditure
- Submit Charity Commission annual return
- Develop and implement a fundraising strategy and submission of grant bids
Operational
- Manage contracts including mobile phone provider, IT support services, Lone Working app, finance and payroll services, rent, website maintenance, interpreting services, clinical supervision
- Oversee and review operational risk management
- Ensure compliance with legal duties, including insurance, ICO registration, pension regulator
- Safeguarding, information governance and Health and Safety Lead
- Deliver awareness-raising sessions to stakeholders and community groups
- Create and implement a marketing and communications strategy
- Contribute to regular social media posts
- Update website content when needed
- Respond to media enquiries
Benefits of working for Adavu include: 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays; 6% employer pension contribution; regular staff wellbeing activities and annual away day; Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) offered; clinical supervision; training and development opportunities
Interviews will be held on 4/11/24 at our Balsall Heath offices (Birmingham).
Please note the office is staffed Mon to Thurs only 9-4.30pm, should you have any queries.
We follow the Adavu Safer Recruitment policy and procedures. The successful candidate will be required to have undertaken an Enhanced DBS check without the barring list before starting the post.
This post is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
Small steps transforming lives Adavu - facilitating a local response to modern slavery in the West Midlands.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.