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Job Introduction

Working in the Information Rights Team, the job-holder’s principal role will be to conduct legal and general research on the full range of legal matters covered by the team (with a focus on Freedom of Information law) and to provide other support in the provision of legal advice covered by the Information Rights team to a range of legal, operational and policy teams across the BBC. The post-holder will report to the Legal Director for Information Rights. The Information Rights team sits within the Legal Division, which forms part of the Chief Operating Officer’s Group.

Main Responsibilities

To undertake legal research and provide assistance with a range of legal areas covered by the Information Rights team including—

• Freedom of Information law including assistance in obtaining, reviewing and collating materials within the scope of a request,
• Data protection and privacy, including personal data breaches, data subject rights and complaints handling, mainly under the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2002, and Article 8 of the ECHR
• General public/ administrative law principles (e.g. judicial review grounds)
• application of the BBC’s Royal Charter and Framework Agreement
• BBC powers and duties in relation to the TV licensing system under the Communications Act 2003, including statutory interpretation in relation to the TV licence fee
• Equality, diversity and inclusion issues under the Equality Act 2010 (e.g. the Public Sector Equality Duty and positive action)
• Drafting, negotiating and reviewing contracts and other legal documentation
• Case and project management
• Supporting training and knowledge management activities, including maintaining currency of legal knowledge and sharing awareness of relevant legal and policy developments
• Working collaboratively with colleagues in the Information Rights Team and across the BBC
• Provide proactive support to lawyers by undertaking legal research, gathering information and collating relevant information to support resolution of legal issues across the organisation.
• Prepare initial drafts of documents, following precedents and templates for review by others.
• Prepare case documentation to a high standard and often for presentation to court to support lawyers across the team.
• Prepare general legal correspondence applying broad knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures.
• Provide support to legal colleagues as required including maintaining databases and websites, electronic and paper filing, organising and coordinating meetings.Keep up to date on legislative, regulatory and industry-related developments, changes and trends. As required will compile related guidance notes for circulation amongst other paralegals and legal professionals.

Are you the right candidate?

• A first degree in law (or postgraduate diploma in law) or be a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (FCILEX).
• A good understanding of the English legal system and knowledge of public/ administrative law and the principles of judicial review of administrative action.
• Proven ability to conduct legal research thoroughly, quickly and accurately and to communicate clearly the products of research, orally and in writing.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to investigate complex factual issues with non-lawyers.
• Commercially aware with an understanding of the issues affecting the BBC and the media industry generally.
• Ability to work flexibly and supportively as a team member and to build and manage relationships at all levels.
• Ability to analyse and solve problems under pressure, contributing to proactive, expert, timely and authoritative legal advice and support to stakeholders.
• Initiative, commitment and flexibility when faced with obstacles, combined with good judgment as to when to refer matters upwards.
• Motivated to learn and open to constructive feedback.
• Committed to creating and upholding an open, positive and inclusive workplace culture based on respect for colleagues in all roles and from all backgrounds.
• Computer literate with skills across a range of IT packages such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint.

Desirable

• Knowledge of/ interest in/ experience of—

• reporting and managing personal data breaches and compliance with other data subject rights.
• application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
• the legal protection and promotion of diversity, inclusion and equality.
• Working towards a recognised paralegal qualification

About the BBC

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours in the document attached below.

Diversity matters at the BBC. We have a working environment where we value and respect every individual's unique contribution, enabling all of our employees to thrive and achieve their full potential.

We want to attract the broadest range of talented people to be part of the BBC – whether that’s to contribute to our programming or our wide range of non-production roles. The more diverse our workforce, the better able we are to respond to and reflect our audiences in all their diversity.

We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion and/or belief. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles, unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.

To find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at the BBC, please click here

Package Description

Band: B
Contract type: Permanent Full time
Location: London

Application process: You will be asked to fill in a diversity questionnaire which is confidential and not seen by the hiring manager. You will then be asked to:

• upload your CV

• complete an eligibility questionnaire

• answer questions specific to the role

You are eligible to apply for an internal role if you are either on a BBC Continuing (Permanent) contract, a BBC Fixed Term contract or a worker contract and you have worked continuously for six months

Only internal staff are eligible to apply for the role on an attachment basis. You need to be on a continuing (permanent) or fixed-term contract. You need to have worked for the BBC for more than one year. You can find out more on our attachments page.

We’re happy to discuss flexible working. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

• Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
• Benefits- We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.