2 jobs found

Head of Legal Services to provide strategic leadership and oversight for the effective delivery of the service's legal function. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to lead a multi-disciplinary team of solicitors and staff across litigation, operational policing support, and corporate governance at a national scale. As a key senior leader, you will set direction, strengthen operational delivery, and provide expert counsel and strategic legal advice to the Chief Constable, Senior Management Team, and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). We are looking for a visionary legal professional to drive the continuous improvement of our legal services, support complex organisational risk management, and shape how legal activity reinforces our core values of integrity, fairness, respect, and human rights. This is a unique opportunity to bring your legal expertise to a complex, high-impact public service organisation. If you are an experienced Scottish solicitor with a passion for leadership and transformation, this is a rewarding and impactful role in which to leave your mark while helping to keep people safe. Key Responsibilities Strategic Legal Leadership and Direction Initiate and direct the delivery of high-quality legal services across both operational and corporate functions, ensuring alignment with policing plans, governance arrangements, and organisational priorities. Provide specific, specialist legal advice to the Chief Constable and Executive Team on matters of operational policing, contractual agreements, and complex or high-profile legal issues. Litigation and Representation Oversee and monitor the work of an in-house team of solicitors to provide a comprehensive litigation and advice service, representing the Chief Constable and the SPA in the Scottish Courts and Tribunals. Manage and evaluate the efficiency, effectiveness, and value for money of all claims and legal services provided by external third-party solicitors and counsel. Corporate Governance and Risk Management Attend SPA meetings as the Chief Constable's in-house lawyer, assessing the legal implications of corporate reports and providing dedicated support for major projects, property conveyancing, and contract documents. Manage and assess legal risk across all areas of managerial responsibility, ensuring compliance and the delivery of Best Value for the legal services department. Team Management and Professional Development Direct workload distribution, performance management, and the PDR process for Legal Services staff while overseeing departmental budget preparation. Ensure compliance with Continuing Professional Development (CPD) obligations and lead the selection, employment, and training of department personnel. It is expected that you shall: Be educated to LLB Degree level (Bachelor of Laws) and hold a current, unrestricted Practising Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland. Possess significant post-qualifying experience as a Scottish solicitor, with proven achievements managing legal work of a complex or important nature at a senior level. Demonstrate effective managerial and supervisory skills, with a track record of leading a team of solicitors and overseeing departmental performance. Exhibit exceptional negotiating, drafting, and advocacy skills, with significant experience regarding practice and procedure in the Scottish Civil Courts and Tribunals. Be available on an on-call basis (24-hour) as and when required to provide urgent legal advice and respond to court Caveats. Understand that this is a politically restricted post, meaning you may not engage in political activity. Why join us? • Competitive salary with annual increments • Full-time or part-time shift patterns • 28 days annual leave and 6 public holidays (increases with service) • Local government pension scheme for long-term security • Ongoing training to develop your skills and maintain CPD compliance • Opportunities for career progression and professional growth • Comprehensive wellbeing support and dynamic work environment • Exclusive discounts and savings through our rewards and benefits network Every role in Police Scotland plays a part in Keeping People Safe. This is an opportunity to join a national organisation serving communities across Scotland, where integrity, fairness and respect are at the heart of everything we do. Police Scotland serves over 5 million people across Scotland s cities, towns, rural and island communities. Our 2030 vision is for safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. We are committed to equality, human rights and building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

The Woodland Trust is looking for a Policy Advocate - Forestry and Land Use (Scotland) to help us increase the Trust s influence through policy and advocacy work. The Role: • This role is key to helping us target the forestry, farming and land use policy issues at the Scottish Government and statutory agency level. • You ll develop and lead the delivery of advocacy strategies that will ensure woods and trees are valued and recognised in key policies and decisions at national level. • You ll monitor, research and analyse relevant areas of the Scottish Government and Parliament politics and policies. • You ll work collaboratively with colleagues to support campaign development, policy development, inform and respond to public consultations. • You'll lead and write external policy reports, consultation responses, briefings and other materials. • You ll lead the Trust s advocacy relationship with civil servants and statutory agencies as relevant to the policy area. • You ll develop and advocate the Trust s positions and policy goals to internal and external stakeholders. • This role includes a mix of working from home and travel around Scotland. The Candidate: • You have an enthusiasm for the environment and share our core values-Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count. We are looking for candidates who have the following: • Experience working in a forestry and/or land use policy advocacy role. • Knowledge of deer management, farming, Rhododendron ponticum issues affecting Scotland s native woods. • Research and analytical skills specifically in Scottish Government and Parliament politics and policies. • Experience working collaboratively across multiple teams and departments. • Knowledge of Scottish forestry, farming and land use policy landscape. • Ability to understand complex information in short periods of time and the ability to communicate this with a variety of different audiences. • Well organised, detail-orientated, able to prioritise and work to tight deadlines. • Experience leading and developing advocacy strategies in relation to woodland creation, restoration and protection. • This role requires travel around the Scotland, so you need to have a clean UK driving licence. Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you'll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer: • Enhanced Employer Pension • Life Assurance • Flexible & Hybrid Working Options • Generous Annual Leave - 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata for part time) • Buy and Sell Annual Leave • Enhanced Parental Pay • Employee Assistance Programme About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats. Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees. People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply. Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application. Application Advice: For fairness we keep our candidates personal details hidden from the hiring managers, we do not ask for your CV at application stage. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role. Even if you don't meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. Acceptable Use Policy - Artificial Intelligence (AI) We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. Apply Now: If you're ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it's a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete. Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams on 4th November 2025.