Candidate Information Pack

Director, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and Senior Teaching Fellow

Closing date: 24 May 2019

About the Law School

For more than 300 years, the School has been rooted in the open, civic-minded, and interdisci-plinary traditions of Scots law. Our ambition is to set scholarly agendas that effect civic change across our core fields of public and private, international and European law, as in socio-legal studies, law and technologies, and criminology.

Edinburgh Law School is one of the biggest law schools in the UK and home to one of the largest communities of legal scholars in Europe.

Along with our international body of academic staff, we have a thriving community of early career and con-tract researchers (ECCRs) and one of the biggest PhD communities in the UK. Our staff, researchers, and students produce an extraordinary range of cutting-edge scholarlly and policy-oriented outputs, which shape legal, policy, and social changes in Scotland, Europe, and beyond.

We have consistently ranked within the top 30 universities in the UK for law based on the scale and quality of our research. This research expertise informs our extensive programmes of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning. Our students learn in a high-quality research-led environment, on programmes designed to encourage them to explore the key issues in each of our research fields.

Edinburgh Law School in numbers

Founded in 1707, today the Law School has 12 research centres, 10 student societies, and is home to 103 academic staff members, as well as 48 professional services staff.

With 1,775 students from 67 countries worldwide – 935 undergraduates, 720 taught postgraduates, and 120 research postgraduates – the Law School is proud of its diverse and eclectic community.

Job purposeTo provide leadership and management for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. The post-holder will coordinate, and ensure the successful delivery of, the Diploma. The Director will work to enhance the reputation and professional standing of the Diploma both in Scotland and more broadly.

Main responsibilities1. To develop and monitor the structure and organisation of the DipPLP to ensure that it contin-

ues to meet its learning outcomes, the requirements of the Law Society of Scotland and the academic and professional needs of its students (approx 40% of time).

2. To teach on the programme and supervise practical work and projects where these are part of the programme in area of own expertise (approx 10% of time).

3. To manage all staff involved in the delivery of the DipPLP including the recruitment, workload allocation and professional development of those staff in conjunction with the School’s Tutor Mentor (approx 10% of time).

4. To offer guidance on all matters relating to the programme to staff teaching on the pro-gramme to ensure all involved in delivery of the programme are aware of any changes to Uni-versity and School assessment regulations and procedures and to conduct, in accordance with the School’s Quality Assurance procedures, an annual review of the programme and to ensure that all appropriate QA processes are in place including appointing an appropriate external examiners for the programme (approx 10% of time).

5. To act as personal tutor providing academic and pastoral support and guidance to students (approx 10% of time).

6. To act as chair of the Diploma Staff Student Liaison Committee and ensure that the student voice is fully taken in to account when developing the programme (approx 10% of time).

7. To build and maintain the Diploma’s profile within the legal professional world, both within

Job DescriptionDirector, Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and Senior Teaching Fellow

Grade: UE08Hours of work: 35 hours p/w (full-time)Contract type: Open-endedSchool: LawUnit: Professional Skills, Training and Pro BonoOversight: Director of PGTLine manager: Head of SchoolResponsible for: External Tutors

Scotland and further afield, maintaining an awareness of changes in the external environment and consider how to tailor curricula to meet the needs of professional practice (approx 10% of time).

Planning and organising• Responsibility for organising own activities and the management of allocated resources.• Plan the resource and administration requirements for the Diploma.• Proactively keep up to date on legal developments pertinent to legal education in Scotland

and courses taught on the Diploma.

Problem solving• Resolve day-to-day organisational and student support issues.• Resolve day-to-day tutor support issues.• Engage with the wider professional community to monitor external developments, communi-

cations and best practice and then apply to relevant programmes as necessary.• Resolve day-to-day student academic and pastoral support issues and work with senior man-

agers to foster a strong, student-focused culture.

Decision making• Assessment of student performance.• Proactively identify when changes in course content, delivery and assessment are required or

desirable.• Identify and recommend strategies for development of new programmes and courses.• Assessment of tutor performance.

Person Specification Essential Desirable

Qualifications/training

A good honours degree, ideally with a LLB qualification, and at least three years relevant management experi-ence including experience of being a programme director or equivalent.

Experience At least 3 years’ experience of teach-ing across the entire area of profes-sional legal practice whether in-house or more externally focused.

• Previous experience of designing and delivering programmes to meet profes-sional requirements.

• Previous experience of researching sectoral require-ments and delivering courses that respond to market needs.

Knowledge, skills, and competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of the Scottish and UK legal sector, and of contemporary issues for the sector, and their implications for the University.

• Ability to identify and respond to issues on a proactive basis includ-ing monitoring external legal and educational developments.

• Proven operational and staff management skills, including the ability to work under pressure and to meet tight and conflicting deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, to develop effective relationships with staff, students and external stakeholders.

• Excellent written and verbal com-munication skills.

• A customer-focused approach to the delivery of services.

• A proactive approach to problem solving and delivering solutions.

• A breadth of understanding of the dynamics, demands and ever evolving nature of the legal services and professional legal education environments.

• Excellent digital competencies and willingness to engage with multiple systems including virtual learning environments.

Personal attributes • An ability to work autonomously to keep self and courses and the programme current and up to date.

• A strong desire to equip emerging lawyers with the necessary gradu-ate attributes required for a career in law.

• A developed interest in wider debates on methods and approaches to learning, teaching and assessment, especially as regards legal education.

• Willingness and ability to make a broad contribution to the academic community of the School of Law.

Key contacts/relationships• School management including Head of School, Director of PGT and DoPS; Professional Ser-

vices staff, enrolled students, and DipLP alumni.• External tutors working on the Diploma.• Relevant contacts in the legal profession and other relevant networks.

Job context and any other relevant information• Although based in 9B Holyrood Road, the Diploma is an integral part of Edinburgh Law

School, but on a day-to-day basis operates with a considerable amount of autonomy. The postholder needs to be able to demonstrate experience and judgement to know when to operate autonomously and when to discuss issues with the School management.

• The Diploma operates in a fast-moving and dynamic environment. The postholder needs the breadth of understanding of this environment to keep courses and programme current and to equip students to uphold the rule of law as it evolves.

• In order to accommodate student and external tutor requirements, some of the core teaching takes place outwith normal office hours. The postholder may therefore be required to work flexibly to ensure oversight and support is available for evening teaching.

Application procedureAll applicants should apply online by going to: https://www.aspenpeople.co.uk/vacancies/vacancy.php?id=742 The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attach-ments.The closing date is 17:00 on Friday 24 May 2019

Eligibility to workIn accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 and Immigration Act 2016 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

To do so, the University requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work webpage: www.ed.ac.uk/human-resources/recruitment/eligibility-immigration

If you are from outside the EEA and not currently eligible to work in the UK, there are visa routes that may be available to you, for example:

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent): If you are an academic in the field of sciences; humanities; engineering; medicine; digital technology; or the arts, it may be possible for you to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. This route requires you to apply to be endorsed as an internationally recognised leader or emerging leader in your particular field by a designated competent body (Arts Council England, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Tech City UK). However, if you are applying for a senior academic role, e.g. Professor/Reader there is an accelerated route to endorsement. Further information can be found on the UKVI website: www.gov.uk/tier-1-exceptional-talent

Tier 2: The University is a UKVI licensed sponsor and is able to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to successful candidates who are offered highly skilled roles and meet the eligibility criteria. The CoS enables candidates to apply for a Tier 2 (general visa).

Further information about whether you require a visa and other visa routes can be found at: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Conditions of employment

Pension schemeThis role is grade UE08 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

For further information please visit our pensions website: www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/finance/pensions/auto-enrolment

SalaryThe role is grade 8 and attracts an annual salary of £40,792 to £ 48,677 for 35 hours each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.

Acceptable documents showing an on-going right to work in the UK

• A passport showing the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a British citizen or a citizen of the UK and Colonies having the right of abode in the UK.

• A passport or national identity card showing the holder, or a person named in the passport as the child of the holder, is a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

• A Registration Certificate or Document Certifying Permanent Residence issued by the Home Office, to a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

• A Permanent Residence Card issued by the Home Office, to the family member of a national of a European Economic Area country or Switzerland.

• A current Biometric Immigration Document (Biometric Residence Permit) issued by the Home Office to the holder indicating that the person named is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.

• A current passport endorsed to show that the holder is exempt from immigration control, is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK, has the right of abode in the UK, or has no time limit on their stay in the UK.

• A current Immigration Status Document issued by the Home Office to the holder with an endorsement indicating that the named person is allowed to stay indefinitely in the UK or has no time limit on their stay in the UK, together with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

• A full birth or adoption certificate issued in the UK which includes the name(s) of at least one of the holder’s parents or adoptive parents, together with an official document giving the per-son’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

• A birth or adoption certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Ireland, togeth-er with an official document giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Government agency or a previous employer.

• A certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen, together with an official docu-ment giving the person’s permanent National Insurance number and their name issued by a Governmentagency or a previous employer.

A list of EEA countries can be found at www.gov.uk/eu-eea

The University

The sixth oldest university in the world, with over 400 years of history, the University of Ed-inburgh is consistently ranked within the top 20 universities in the world, and within the top 10 in the UK.The university is made up of 22 Schools housed in three Colleges, and welcomes 35,000 students every year. With a staff of more than 13,500 in academic and profession-al services roles, we are one of the top employ-ers in Edinburgh.

As a member of staff, youcould be at the heart of what makes us one of the world’s leading universities The 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework placed the University of Edinburgh fourth in the UK and first in Scotland, and we are a member of the Russell Group, Coimbra Group, and the League of European Research Universities.Our international reputation for excellence has contributed to our position as the second most popular university in the UK, attracting around 60,000 applications every year.

Our continuing commitment to equality and diversity has a vital role to play in ensuring our success as a world-class higher education institution.

Our people have been making their mark on the world for more than four centuries. They’ve explored space, revolutionised surgery, won Nobel Prizes, published era-defining books, paved the way for life-saving medical breakthroughs and laid the foundations for solving the mysteries of the universe.

We aim to attract the world’s most talented students and gifted staff, and are committed to developing a positive culture where everyone can develop to their full potential.

Pay and benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, our employ-ees benefit from a competitive reward package and a wide range of staff benefits, which include:

• generous annual leave allowance

• defined benefits pension scheme

• staff discounts on a range of services

• on-campus nurseries

Relocation

Edinburgh has staff and students from over 160 countries. You can find assistance with relocations on our Relocation Support website at www.ed.ac.uk/human-resources/jobs/working-with-us/relocation-support

If you have any specific questions, please con-tact relocation.support@ed.ac.uk

The City of Edinburgh

Despite its compact size, the city of Edinburgh has something for everyone. All year round, Edinburgh is a cultural hub, attracting the best in film, music, art and entertainment to its many cinemas, galleries, theatres and concert halls.Its host of great pubs, clubs, restaurants, parks, gardens, shops and sport centres, makes Edinburgh an exciting and thriving place to live and work.And, every summer, the world-famous Edin-burgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe deliver a billing of international acts in comedy, theatre, music and dance that attracts visitors in their thousands.

TransportGetting to Edinburgh and the University is easy, no matter where you are coming from or how you choose to travel.

By airEdinburgh International Airport receives daily flights from more than 20 UK and 40 European airports, as well as daily transatlantic flights. Flights from international destinations are also scheduled throughout the week.The airport is about 12km from the city centre. The 30-minute journey can be easily made using the frequent airport bus or tram services, or by taxi.

Edinburgh is regularly voted one of the best places to live in the UK, with a 2017 study declaring it second in the world for quality of life. A UNESCO world heritage site, the city is steeped in history, yet thoroughly modern.

By railEdinburgh has excellent rail links throughout the UK.The East Coast mainline, which links Edinburgh and London King’s Cross, is the UK’s fastest intercity railway: you can travel between the cities in around 4 hours.Or, if you prefer to travel overnight, a sleeper service runs between London Euston and Edin-burgh Waverley 6 nights a week.There are great links to other cities too. The journey to Glasgow only takes 45 minutes, while York, Newcastle, Inverness or Aberdeen can be reached in about 2 hours.

By carTravel times by road are less than you might think. From the south: Birmingham is about 5 hours away; Manchester and York, 3 hours; Newcastle, 2 hours. From the north: Inverness is about 3 hours away; Aberdeen, 2 hours.Route information for drivers can be found on the RAC or AA websites.

Getting around the cityEdinburgh is a compact city and is easy to get around on foot, by bike or by public transport.Edinburgh and its surrounding suburbs are well served by two local bus companies. A tram service also operates in the city centre.

law.ed.ac.uk

Edinburgh Law SchoolOld CollegeSouth BridgeEdinburghEH8 9YL

(0044)131 650 2007

This publication can be made available in alternative formats on request. Please contact law@ed.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336