FRIENDS OF THE EARTH - JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE / Head of Legal
REPORTING TO / Senior Campaigner: Political, Legal and Planning Unit
TEAM / Rapid Response Unit
CAREER STAGE / Guiding 1-5 Ref 3
LINE MANAGING / 1-2 lawyers
PURPOSE OF ROLE
To lead our growing legal team and ensure that Friends of the Earth has access to high quality legal advice and services in support of our aims and objectives.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES & TASKS
·  Lead, manage and grow Friends of the Earth’s capacity to use the law in the defense of people and the planet – including managing a team of two lawyers and a legal intern.
·  Develop Friends of the Earth’s strategic approach to legal campaigning including the focus and prioritisation of resources at a time of fast-changing threats and opportunities.
·  Ensure that Friends of the Earth’s priority campaigns have access to excellent legal advice and services – including contributing to the development of campaign strategy and tactics, and using public law in campaigning.
·  Ensure communities directly affected by environmental impacts – such as fracking - that Friends of the Earth is campaigning with have access to appropriate legal advice and services.
·  Lead the development of Friends of the Earth’s Rights and Justice Centre advice line in support of our organisational strategy and plans.
·  Promote and defend existing environmental rights such as access to justice, and work to strengthen existing environmental legal frameworks.
·  Build Friends of the Earth’s networks of legal allies and contacts in order to maximise our campaigning impact.
·  Work with Friends of the Earth International to develop legal interventions in support of campaigns and strategies – especially in relation to international climate justice.
·  Be the lead contact for Friends of the Earth and clients externally in legal and campaigning settings.
·  Work with fundraisers to grow Friends of the Earth’s legal capacity.
·  Attend training as necessary and update own Continuing Professional Development record.
Be aware of and follow Friend of the Earth policies and procedures, with particular attention to Risk Management, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and our values.
PERSON SPECIFICATION (essential shortlisting criteria)
Essential
·  Be a qualified solicitor/barrister with substantial post qualification professional experience.
·  Have an excellent understanding of UK public law and European environmental/planning law coupled with detailed specialist knowledge in at least one area.
·  Have a track record of taking cases to court or public inquiry with a record of success.
·  Be a skilled strategist with excellent research, policy formation, lobbying and representation skills.
·  Have proven people management and leadership skills, including skills in developing and growing a team.
·  Have a demonstrable understanding of, and commitment to, environmental protection and social justice.
Desirable
·  Knowledge of environmental and planning law.
·  Knowledge of law relating to international climate change agreements.
·  Knowledge of defamation law.
·  In house experience of providing legal advice.
·  Experience of campaigning.
·  Successful fundraising experience.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (assessed at the interview)
·  Ability to think strategically.
·  Ability to manage competing priorities under pressure.
·  Ability to work with people from a range of professional and demographic backgrounds – including local campaigners.
·  Commitment to Friends of the Earth’s aims and values.
·  Results driven.
Date approved / June 2016
Date reviewed / June 2016

This job description is current as at the date shown above. In consultation with the postholder it is liable to variation by the Director to reflect or anticipate changes, in, or to, the post and the organisation.

The job description gives an overview of the main responsibilities of the role. The day to day role will also involve any other duties and responsibilities, express and implied, which arise from the nature and character of the post.