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- Tasks: Support our legal team with research and analysis on higher education law.
- Company: Join the independent regulator of higher education in England.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while developing your legal skills.
- Qualifications: Legal degree and experience in public, consumer protection, or human rights law.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 37614 - 38577 £ per year.
Salary: £37,614 - £38,577 plus London weighting £3,566 (where appropriate)
Location: Bristol or London
Generous Civil Service defined benefit pension
About us
We are the independent regulator of higher education in England. We aim to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. We’re proud of our people, our culture and the benefits we offer. We care about supporting and developing our staff. At the OfS we want to create a welcoming and engaging working environment which is free from discrimination. We’re looking for skilled, committed people who care about students and their experience of higher education. Join us and you’ll be part of an energetic, forward-looking organisation with high ambitions and big opportunities for our people.
About the role
We are looking for a Paralegal to support our established legal team. The role will involve providing assistance and support on a wide variety of legal matters in the higher education context, including applying public, human rights, consumer protection and data protection law. The role will involve a significant amount of legal research, as well as assisting lawyers to advise on a broad range of regulatory matters, and supporting the handling of litigation/appeals. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to proactively manage a varied workload, whilst adopting a creative and innovative approach to legal issues.
Key responsibilities may include:
- Providing support to the legal team, in particular through legal research and analysis relating to:
- Legislation applying to the higher education sector, including the Higher Education and Research Act 2017;
- Data protection and information law, including legislation implementing the GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act 2000;
- Legal topics relevant to decision-making and supporting processes, such as public law principles, statutory duties and considerations, the delegation of functions and equalities legislation;
- Human rights law;
- Litigation activities, such as judicial review proceedings, statutory appeals and regulatory investigations;
- Consumer protection law;
- The use of the OfS’s enforcement and information gathering powers; and
- The regulatory framework and registration conditions that apply to higher education providers.
About you
Essential experience required for the role:
- Excellent legal research skills;
- Experience of at least two of the following legal practice areas, gained through paid practical experience:
- Public law;
- Consumer protection law;
- Human rights law;
- The interpretation of regulatory rules such as licence conditions or equivalent;
- The interpretation and application of sector specific legislation which relates to a public or regulatory body; and
- Investigation and enforcement in a regulatory context;
Professional qualifications:
- Essential: Legal degree (or equivalent conversion course)
- Desirable: Completed relevant postgraduate legal training (for example, the Legal Practice Course, Solicitors Qualifying Examinations 1 and 2, or vocational component of Bar training such as the Bar Practice Course)
For the purposes of recruitment to this role, we are measuring against the following core competencies:
- Making effective decisions:
- I analyse and research information to support effective decision-making.
- I speak with relevant people to get the most accurate information and advice when I am unsure how to proceed.
- I consider the diverse needs of those impacted by decisions.
- I ensure that my decisions reflect the legal requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and the OfS’s strategic commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- I ask others to clarify decisions if I am unsure and I query any issues that arise constructively.
- I have a positive and focused attitude to achieving outcomes, despite setbacks.
- I regularly review my performance against objectives, making suggestions for improvement or taking corrective action where necessary.
- I consider relevant policies, procedures, and legislation when completing my work.
- I regularly review the success of activities I contribute to and identify barriers to progress, proactively suggesting how we can overcome these in the future.
- I formulate clear plans and prioritise effectively to complete tasks and activities.
- I communicate using appropriate styles, methods, and timing, to maximise my impact with different audiences.
- I communicate confidently with an appropriate diversity of stakeholders, interested groups and colleagues at different levels and can construct a convincing narrative to bring to life my message.
- I communicate the benefits of acting in a straightforward and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact for different groups.
- I regularly engage with people in my area of work and across the OfS, so they can understand the course of action required.
- I seek information, resources, and support as appropriate from others across the OfS, to help achieve results.
- I invest time to develop an OfS common focus and team spirit where colleagues feel valued and respect one another.
- I take responsibility for creating an OfS working environment that encourages collaboration, diversity, and inclusion.
- I actively seek and consider input of people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Application process
There are 3 online application questions to complete, alongside providing a summary of your career to date, which will allow you to demonstrate your relevant experience. For those who are shortlisted, there will be a written research task to complete during week commencing Monday 16 February. For those who progress to interview, the process will include discussing a case study, sent shortly ahead of the interview on the day itself.
Reasonable adjustment
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support you through the application stage, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Working for us
We value diversity and the wealth of perspectives, experience and ideas that it brings to our work, and we strive to embed equality of opportunity in everything we do. We recruit based on fair and open competition and welcome applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. At the OfS, we recognise that flexibility can enable people to work more effectively. A set of organisation-wide principles shape our approach to flexible and hybrid working, which our teams then use as guidance on how they deliver their business goals. This would usually mean working from the office for two or three days in a typical week. To attract the widest possible field of qualified applicants, flexible working, for example job share and part time working, apply to this role.
Closing date for applications: Monday 9 February 2026 at noon. In the event of a high volume response, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early without notice. For transparency, once we have closed a vacancy, it is not possible to complete an in flight application.
For information: the OfS does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.
Paralegal in Bristol employer: Office for Students
Contact Detail:
Office for Students Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Paralegal in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the legal field, especially those who work in higher education. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by researching the OfS and its role in higher education. Understand the key legal issues they deal with, like data protection and human rights law. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your legal research skills! Brush up on how to analyse case law and draft legal memos. You might even want to do some mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable discussing complex legal topics.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the OfS team. Make sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills in your application!
We think you need these skills to ace Paralegal in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Legal Skills: Make sure to highlight your excellent legal research skills and any relevant experience in public law, consumer protection law, or human rights law. We want to see how you can apply your knowledge to the higher education context!
Tailor Your Responses: When answering the application questions, tailor your responses to reflect the specific competencies we're looking for. Use examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to make effective decisions and communicate clearly.
Be Yourself: Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through! We’re looking for committed individuals who care about students and their experiences. Show us your passion for the role and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it makes it easier for us to review your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at Office for Students
✨Know Your Legal Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the key areas of law relevant to the role, like public law and data protection. Familiarise yourself with the Higher Education and Research Act 2017 and the GDPR. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for the Case Study
Since the interview includes a case study discussion, practice analysing legal scenarios beforehand. Think about how you would approach the problem, what laws apply, and how you would communicate your findings. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think on your feet.
✨Show Your Communication Skills
As a paralegal, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. During the interview, focus on articulating your thoughts clearly and engagingly. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you've successfully communicated complex legal concepts to different audiences.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
The OfS values collaboration, so be ready to discuss how you've worked in teams before. Share specific examples of how you've contributed to a positive team environment and supported colleagues. This will highlight your ability to fit into their culture and work effectively within their legal team.
