Associate Solicitor - temp

Role: Senior Associate - Scotland, Legal Contract: 12 months Day Rate: 214.22 Location: Glasgow, 2 days working from home, 3 days in the office.

The organisation is an independent statutory body responsible for promoting and protecting equality and human rights across Great Britain. It serves as the national equality body and an internationally accredited human rights institution, working to uphold the principles of fairness, dignity and respect. Established through legislation, its role is to safeguard and enforce laws that protect people's rights across England, Scotland and Wales. The organisation is committed to advancing equality and human rights, using its legal powers and influence to create positive change in society and improve the lives of individuals. Although publicly funded through central government, the organisation operates independently in carrying out its statutory responsibilities. The organisation is committed to being a flexible and inclusive employer, valuing diversity and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to its mission.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess incoming legal work in line with organisational procedures to determine whether assistance can be provided.
• Undertake litigation, regulatory enforcement and advisory work in accordance with strategic priorities and established case assessment processes.
• Analyse information and investigate evidence to assess compliance with equality and human rights legislation.
• Translate complex legal concepts into clear, concise advice and recommendations to support decision-making and promote legal compliance.
• Identify, engage and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or solicitor advocate with rights to practise in the relevant jurisdiction.
• Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
• Strong working knowledge of the relevant legal system.
• Ability to analyse complex legal and technical information, investigate evidence and assess compliance with equality and human rights legislation.
• Ability to communicate complex legal issues clearly and provide practical recommendations to support decision-making and compliance.
• Experience of handling sensitive and confidential information, including matters involving reputational or legal risk.
• Experience of conducting litigation.
• High level of IT proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications, collaboration platforms and electronic case management systems.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks while developing practical solutions to complex legal issues.
• Ability to work independently while recognising when to seek advice or support.
• Desirable Experience:
• Experience of regulatory compliance or enforcement work and drafting legal guidance.
• Experience of conducting legal research, gathering evidence and evaluating findings to support reasoned decisions.
• Experience of building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of preparing legally accurate briefings, reports and other written advice.

Leadership

• Plan and organise personal workload, and where appropriate, coordinate the work of others to ensure efficient delivery of objectives.
• Support and motivate colleagues, encouraging collaborative working and contributing to shared organisational goals.
• Where responsible for supervising staff, contribute to recruitment, performance management, coaching and professional development.
• Demonstrate accountability and model organisational values through everyday professional conduct.

Delivery Management

• Lead or contribute to projects and specialist areas of work, ensuring delivery within agreed timescales and available resources.
• Present findings and recommendations through written reports, briefings, presentations and legal advice.
• Identify and escalate risks, contributing to effective risk management through detailed analysis and practical solutions.
• Measure and demonstrate the impact and value of work using clear outcomes and success measures.
• Where applicable, oversee project resources, budgets or procurement activities to ensure effective resource management.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders through regular engagement.
• Share knowledge, intelligence and information across teams to support organisational objectives.
• Coordinate activities across multiple stakeholders where appropriate.
• Apply specialist legal knowledge while drawing on the expertise of colleagues to provide high-quality advice and support informed decision-making.