Job Description

TO APPLY FOR THIS ROLE YOU MUST GO TO https://

nipso.getgotjobs.co.uk/home

AND COMPLETE THE APPLICANT PACK, APPLICATION FORM AND MONITORING FORM ONLINE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title:

Paralegal

Reporting to:

Director of Governance and Support Services

Grade

: Scale 6

Salary

: 31,537 to 33,699

p.a.

Location: Belfast

Main purpose of job

To provide high-quality administrative and paralegal support to the Northern Ireland Local Government Commissioner for Standards including supporting the adjudication process. Take responsibility for information governance including maintaining records, supporting decision-making procedures, and coordinating responses to Subject Access Requests (SARs), Freedom of Information (FOI), and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests in accordance with legal and policy requirements. Provide research and legal support to the maladministration teams within NIPSO.

Summary of principal duties and responsibilities

Local Commissioner for Standards Adjudication Support

Prepare, manage and maintain case files and documentation for NILGCS adjudication processes. Provide administrative support to the Commissioner and Adjudication Team, including scheduling and record-keeping. Manage the technical aspects of adjudication reviews and adjudication hearings whether virtual or in person.

Information Governance and Data Protection

Draft and co-ordinate responses to information requests under the UK GDPR, FOIA, EIR, and Data Protection Act 2018. Log, track and monitor the progress of information requests and ensure statutory deadlines are met.

Legal Matters

Draft responses and prepare correspondence in relation to legal issues for consideration by the relevant Manager or Director. Maintain legal information databases and records management. Support wider legal and governance functions as required, including legal research or drafting. Conduct research and prepare reports on legal issues for consideration by the relevant Manager or Director

General Responsibilities & Duties

Adhere to the NIPSO values of fairness, impartiality, openness, respect and integrity. 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 one's 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 requested by your line manager.
This job description is subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolves. Therefore, the postholder will be required to be flexible and adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of applications, be able to demonstrate by providing personal and specific examples on their application form that they have a minimum of two years' relevant experience of:

(i) Providing legal advice to senior managers and staff; (AF, I)

(ii) Working in a legal or governance administrative role; (AF)

(iii) Adhering to confidentiality, data protection and information handling requirements; (AF, I)

(iv) Using information technology including remote communication channels (MS Teams, Webex); and (AF, I)

(v) Managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines. (AF, I)

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

In addition to the above essential criteria, NIPSO reserves the right to only shortlist those candidates who can also demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples on the application form that they have:

(i) a demonstrable knowledge of GDPR, FOI or administrative justice procedures. (AF)

(ii) a minimum of 2 years' experience supporting adjudication or complaints casework. (AF, I)

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of the following skills, competencies and attributes which will be tested at assessment centre and/or final interview:

Oral and Written Communication Collaborative Working Attention to detail Organisational Skills Continuous Improvement
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 31,537.00-33,699.00 per year

Benefits:

Flexitime Transport links Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Belfast BT1 6GF