Contracts and Legal Support Officer Liverpool, England
Job description
Contracts and Legal Support Officer
National Oceanography Centre, Southampton or Liverpool
Permanent
Full time (37 hours per week)
£38,334 - £42,053
Who are we?
We are the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) - the UK's centre of excellence for oceanographic sciences. We are a national research organisation, delivering integrated marine science and technology from the coast to the deep ocean.
We are made up of a dynamic and vibrant community whose focus is on improving the world in which we live. Our work is balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one NOC’ approach.
We have a rich history dating back to 1949, and our future has never looked more exciting as we aim to be the world’s most innovative oceanographic institution.
About the role
The role sits within Legal & Contracts, part of the wider Legal & Governance team, providing dedicated support to colleagues across the business for a wide range of research and research related activity to achieve appropriate and timely conclusion of contracts.
The role has the following key responsibilities:
With support and guidance from the Legal & Contracts Manager:
- Review, negotiate and recommend for signature standard contracts provided by external funders or collaborators to achieve appropriate and timely conclusion of contracts, identifying and mitigating risk
- Initiate drafting (using applicable templates) and redrafting of contract terms and recommend changes to contracts to achieve the best possible contractual outcomes for NOC
- Reach a commercially acceptable position for NOC in relation to liability and indemnity, protection of intellectual property, licences and general commercialisation risks, and other key contract related issues
- Liaise with researchers and colleagues across the business to ensure they fully understand any contractual obligations and risks.
- Liaise with business managers within NOC and NOCI (our trading subsidiary NOC Innovations Ltd.) to protect NOC’s intellectual property and opportunities for exploitation
About you
We are looking for someone with the following:
- a law degree OR significant experience in an equivalent role/job
- experience of reviewing and/or drafting and negotiating NDAs, IP licensing agreements, other research related contracts, collaboration agreements, consultancy agreements
- knowledge and understanding of key research contract clauses – intellectual property, confidentiality, VAT, warranties and indemnities,
- experience of identifying and providing advice on potential risks on the full range of research related contracts
- experience of working in a high-volume contracting environment
- knowledge of research funding, support and contracts within a commercial or HEI research environment. This will include knowledge of Charity Law and the implications of this on NOC’s freedom to operate and contract, and on its relationship with its trading subsidiary NOC Innovations Ltd.
- a flexible, collaborative approach and strong inter-personal skills with a focus on customer service excellence and supporting continuous improvement of internal processes and best practice
- the ability to tailor your approach to a variety of different areas of NOC including; procurement, scientists, human resources and commercial.
- knowledge of Public Procurement considerations is an advantage.
Why the NOC?
We offer a generous set of benefits including 28 days annual leave (raising to 30 depending on length of service), plus 3.5 local closure days and 8 public bank holidays, and a contributory Group Personal Pension Plan.
We promote an inclusive and supportive environment where our people can meet their full potential.
Location
This position can be based in Southampton or Liverpool. Our Southampton site is well connected by public transport and has ample cycle parking in addition to free onsite car-parking. The Liverpool centre is part of the University campus and is only a short walk from the city centre and Lime Street station.
The NOC has a hybrid working approach where for most positions staff can work from home up to 2 days per week. If you are interested in this position, but require a more flexible working arrangement, please contact the recruitment team using the contact details below.
Our commitment as an employer
The NOC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. There is a guaranteed interview scheme for suitable candidates with a disability and we welcome applications from ethnic minorities currently under-represented. The NOC is an Investors in People organisation, and has signed up to the Athena SWAN charter principles to take action to address gender equality.
How to apply:
Please click ‘Apply for this job’ and submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter. If you are unable to apply online, please contact the NOC recruitment team at [email protected] / 07955 851648.
Before submitting your application please ensure you have reviewed the attached job description and assessment criteria.
Date advert posted: 16 February 2023.
Closing date: 24 March 2023. This vacancy may close earlier depending on the number of applicants.
Please note we are not accepting applications via recruitment agencies for this position.
Assessing applications
All applications to the NOC are reviewed by a real-life person, not a computer programme. Attached to our adverts you will find a ‘Candidate Assessment’ document which clearly sets out the criteria against which applications are assessed. Once assessed the most suitable candidates will be invited to interview.
