Role Purpose

The Solicitor has a key role at GTC Scotland in helping ensure that we manage legal risk effectively, get things right through effective governance frameworks and practice, proactively keep our legislation under review as a statutory body and act in accordance with the law.  

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Provide internal legal advice and support legal compliance in any way required across GTC Scotland functions, including on –

o    GTC Scotland’s governing and related legislation

o    constitutional and governance matters including charities law

o    data protection, freedom of information and records management (information        compliance)

o    equality and human rights (including child rights)

o    employment and health and safety

o    procurement and contracts

o    intellectual property.

• Help ensure appropriate legal and compliance frameworks and audits are in place to provide assurance and identify areas for improvement as well as manage legal risk.

• Instruct external legal suppliers to ensure they deliver in line with our requirements.

• Help produce, develop, maintain and advise on the Schemes that provide GTC Scotland’s governance framework alongside GTC Scotland’s governing legislation.

• Help produce, develop, maintain and advise on the Rules and supporting policies that sit below GTC Scotland’s governing legislation to ensure identified policy requirements are reflected appropriately and the Rules are lawful and manage legal risk.

• Ensure effective legal representation/participation of GTC Scotland in legal claims made against it or in any public inquiry (or similar), instructing Counsel or external solicitors as appropriate.

• Help ensure we have effective governance frameworks in place and that we work to achieve best governance practice. 

• Provide any other advice, training and support that might be required to help ensure GTC Scotland gets things right through effective governance and complies with the law.

• Perform other duties that may be reasonably required within the scope of your role as assigned to you. 

Responsibilities of All GTC Scotland Employees

• Commit to GTC Scotland’s values and principles

• Understand that our communities improve through the provision of strong and effective education, and you have a role in helping that happen

• Take ownership and responsibility through your work

• Be self-aware, understanding your own strengths and areas for development

• Be a restless learner, seeking opportunities for your own growth

• Deliver work effectively to ensure impact

• Work collaboratively to share and develop expertise

• Ask for help when you need it

• Be flexible and adaptive to meet our needs and those of our registrants

• Actively find and develop solutions to issues

Person Specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential

• Honours degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice or equivalent (SCQF Level 11)

• Qualified solicitor and holder of (or entitled to hold) a full and unrestricted Law Society of Scotland practising certificate

• Evidence of ongoing professional learning

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Role qualifying experience as a solicitor in a relevant sector

• Experience in building and maintaining effective working partnerships with internal and external users and partners

• Evidence of effective legal decision-making and advice

• High quality written skills

• High quality analytical skills

• Good digital literacy including competency with Microsoft 365 applications (including Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Dynamics)

• An understanding of professional regulation

Desirable

• An understanding of the political educational context and the impact for GTC Scotland

• Experience working for or with a regulatory body

• Experience working for or with a charity

• An understanding of the statutory and corporate governance frameworks within which GTC Scotland operates

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent communication

• Influencing and advocacy skills

• Ability to work with others to develop shared solutions to complex issues

• Self-directed, excellent organiser

• A commitment to excellence

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion

Special Conditions

Essential

• Membership of the Law Society of Scotland

Additional Information

Who we are:

We are the General Teaching Council for Scotland. We register and regulate the teaching profession as a safeguard for the quality of education in Scotland. We work to maintain and enhance trust in teaching.  We are a statutory body meaning our role is set out in law - we are independent of government.

Why work for us?

• Make a difference to the quality of learning and teaching for children , young people and adult learners in Scotland. 

• Flexible working is our default and is open to all. You will have flexibility over when and where you work, depending on the requirements of the role. Most of our people choose to primarily work from home but office space is available if preferred. You will be expected to travel to our office in Edinburgh to attend collaborative events and as the role requires. Please talk to us about your individual flexibility preferences.

•  Learning is one of our core principles. We will support your learning and development to help you perform at your best in your role and to develop your future career.

• Annual leave entitlement is a generous 42 days.

•  Local Government Pension Scheme is open to all employees.

 Our Values

• Trust and Respect - All of us are equally important. We seek out and listen to others’ views. We support each other and build positive working relationships.

•  Integrity – We do what we say we will. We deliver on our plans and effectively communicate with others. We are committed to continually learning and improving.

•  Social Justice – We embrace diversity. We understand the importance of positive wellbeing and seek to support each other and our