Special Advisor

Recruiter: The Law Society

Job Title: Special Advisor

Short description: The Law Society is the independent professional body for solicitors in England and Wales

Full description:

The Special Advisor is a key member of the Law Society’s Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice assessment team, with responsibility for setting syllabi, developing learning materials, training assessors, completing moderation, and providing peer review support.

The Special Advisor is supported in their role by a Chief Assessor who drafts guidance, decides on appeals and advises on product development and technical issues, as well as up to ten assessors who draft and mark the projects and exam papers.

About the job

We are looking for driven and knowledgeable people to fill several paid specialist jobs to help us deliver our Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice course. This is a rare opportunity to learn valuable evaluation skills while also contributing to the growth of other individuals.

The distinct elements of the role the Special Advisor are:

• Setting the syllabi for the projects and examination that form the Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice.
• Development of candidate support materials.
• Training of assessors to ensure quality standards for drafting of projects and exam papers are met.
• Peer reviewing of all learning materials.
• Moderation of project and exam papers when required.
• Advising on quality assurance and best practice.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to:

• Develop Assessment Skills: Enhance your expertise in evaluating and assessing legal coursework, a skill highly valued in academic and professional settings.
• Impact Professional Growth: Help shape the educational journey of aspiring local government law specialists.
• Collaborate with professionals: Work with qualified professionals and broaden your professional network.
• Career Advancement: Demonstrate your commitment to local government law, which could result into opportunities for senior and specialised positions.

Knowledge, skills & experience - requirements

• Established knowledge and understanding of Local Government law.
• Established knowledge and expertise in setting and delivering training, developing assessments, and marking methodologies.
• Awareness of specific developments in legislation that may have an impact on the diploma syllabus.
• Good standing, credibility, and breadth of experience within the practice area to be able to command respect of peers.
• Competence and experience in quality assurance.
• The ability to be objective, make sound well-reasoned decisions, anticipate, and identify emerging issues and proactively provide advice.
• Where practising experience is in English or Welsh local government law but not both, willingness to develop sufficient knowledge as appropriate to be able to mark projects from candidates in both English and Welsh authorities.
• Articulate with strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Proficient with IT systems and tools. 

Further information about the Special Advisor’s role during the year

The project setting and marking period runs from August to May each year. The first project is required by the Law Society by mid- August and the last by February of the diploma year.

The diploma examination runs in June of each year, with the exam paper required by end of May. Marking of exam papers commences one-week after the examination and runs until August. 

It is expected that the Special Advisor will provide support and advice to the Law Society throughout the academic year. 

Remuneration

The special advisor receives an annual fee plus a fee for each project marked. (Same as CA role)

Hours: Flexible

Contract Type: Permanent

Please apply by e-mail with an accompanying CV to: LGD@LawSociety.org.uk