Job purpose

To prosecute anti-doping rule violation matters, including acting as an advocate on behalf of UK Anti-Doping before the National Anti-Doping Panel and other tribunals.

To ensure the highest quality legal advice is made available to the organisation in the most efficient way.

Key result areas

The effective and timely prosecution of alleged anti-doping rule violations and the provision of non-contentious advice, including:

• Appearing on behalf of UK Anti-Doping as an advocate at anti-doping rule violation hearings

• Advising on investigations into potential anti-doping rule violations

• Interpreting rules and regulations

• Preparing independent review requests

• Conducting case to answer assessments

• Drafting Notices of Charge

• Liaising with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) regarding the bringing of charges for alleged anti-doping rule violations

• Liaising with NGBs in respect of anti-doping rule violation prosecutions conducted by NGBs, including reviewing submissions and evidence and attending NGB hearings as an observer

• Advising on evidence gathering

• Drafting and reviewing written submissions and witness statements

• Liaising with outside counsel instructed by UK Anti-Doping

• Providing contractual and other non-contentious legal advice to UK Anti-Doping, both commercial and partnering, including in relation to data protection, freedom of information and GDPR matters

• Liaising with the Operations Directorate, and specifically the Intelligence and Investigations Team, in relation to investigations and relevant activities

• Liaising with, and providing advice to, the Communications team

• Reviewing UK and NGB anti-doping rules to ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, National Anti-Doping Policy and other standards and procedures

• Assisting with the implementation of the organisation’s quality and risk management system within the Case Management Team

Key internal and external contacts

• UKAD colleagues including the Directors’ Team

• UKAD Board

• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs)

• National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP)

• Partner Organisations

• Law Enforcement Agencies

• Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel

• NGBs

• Regulatory Bodies

• External suppliers and consultants

Person specification

Qualifications/experience/knowledge

• Barrister or Solicitor with a current practicing certificate and a minimum of three years’ post-qualification experience in-house or within private practice

• Substantial experience of appearing as an advocate before a range of tribunals

• Substantial experience of handling litigation matters

• Proven experience of working with anti-doping rules and regulations, or similar professional regulations

• Proven experience of providing legal advice at Board/Senior Management level

• Demonstrable experience of drafting and reviewing commercial contracts

• Familiarity with Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Act and GDPR matters

• Experience of communicating and presenting to a variety of levels of seniority and backgrounds both internally and externally

• Experience of managing sensitive and confidential information in an appropriate manner

• A passion for and knowledge of sport is desirable

Skills

• Excellent oral, written and presentation skills

• Confident advocacy

• Ability to prioritise own workload and work under a tight schedule with competing deadlines

• Ability to pay close attention to detail

• Ability to build and sustain relationships with a network of key people internally and externally

• Self-aware and excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and communication skills

• Ability to work proactively with external suppliers

• Ability to use Microsoft Office efficiently

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and accrue one day of annual leave for every year of service, up to 30 days

• Two days paid Sports Leave and one day paid Volunteer Leave per annual leave year

• Christmas closure, between Christmas and New Year (not deducted from your holiday allowance)

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Interest free Season Ticket Loan

• Healthy Lifestyle Benefit

• Flexible Start and Finish times (start between 08:00 – 10:00 finish between 16:15 – 18:15)

• One working from home day per week after successful completion of your first month

• Eye care Vouchers

• Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with four per cent pension allowance on top of your basic salary

Additional information

Working hours are 36 hours a week although flexibility is required in order to ensure core objectives are achieved. Some out-of-hours work, particularly weekend work, conference calls with international colleagues outside of core work hours, and occasional travel, will be required.

This job specification should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.  It is intended as an outline indication of the areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing needs of the organisation.