Senior Policy Officer (Technology & Innovation)

Job Description

Role: Senior Policy OfficerSalary: £32,480- £48,312 per annumLocation: Hybrid / LondonAbout Bar Standards BoardThe Bar Standards Board regulates barristers and their professional practice and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. We are responsible for setting education and training requirements, setting standards, authorisingorganisations, monitoring the service provided, and handling complaints.Barristers work at the heart of our justice system so BSBs mission is fundamentally important to the maintenance of the rule of law. It is an exciting time at the organisation as we embark on a new strategy to continue to regulate in the public interest,support those we regulate to face the future, and ensure there is a strong and sustainable regulator for the Bar.About the roleThe post holder will join BSBs Policy and Research Team, who manage and develop specific policies, guidance and obligations to regulate barristers and specialised legal services businesses in England and Wales in the public interest. The post holder willenter the newly established Technology and Innovation policy group and play a significant role in shaping our efforts to encourage responsible uptake of technology and innovative practices at the Bar.The post holder will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of policy initiatives to support innovative uses of technology at the Bar, leveraging the opportunities it presents in our profession while mitigating the risks. They willreport directly to the Policy Manager for Technology and Innovation, while working closely with the Research; Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Competencies teams to understand and manage regulatory issues relating to technology at the Bar. Team memberstypically have the opportunity to be involved in several projects across the team as we work flexibly to deliver the highest impact for consumers.Key responsibilities

• Lead on the design, development, and delivery of allocated policy projects in line with the BSBs Policy Development Framework. This may include a project to pilot a new legal technology relevant to barristers practice, evaluate and address benefits andregulatory issues it may pose, and support barristers in its uptake and responsible use
• Engage with the LegalTech ecosystem, other regulators, and barrister community on behalf of the BSB to identify opportunities for innovation and technology uptake that advance our regulatory objectives
• Champion the technology and innovation work programme with external and internal stakeholder groups to build trust, educate, and encourage responsible innovation at the Bar, including through written content (blogs, social media, papers) and events
• Contribute to development of a framework within which the BSB will enable the benefits and mitigate the risks of innovation and technology
• Lead on targeted reviews of specific policy areas/sections of the BSB Handbook in light of the relevant regulatory risks
• Liaison with other bodies, including the Legal Services Board (LSB) and other regulators, negotiating agreement for changes to the BSBs regulatory arrangements
• Assisting in establishing an evidence base, from which policy development is informed, identifying trade-offs, assessing potential impacts and evaluating outcomes
• Commissioning or conducting research projects on the use of technology and innovative practices at the Bar to establish a strong evidence base for policy formulation
• Organising and managing working group/task completion group discussions, advising on strategic/operational policy proposals
• Maintaining programme and project documentation where appropriate, ensuring work is undertaken to time and on budget
• Managing external consultancy support where required (e.g. legal advice, research)
• Drafting key policy documents (including consultation papers, analysis of responses and preparation/presentation of Committee/Board papers with appropriate recommendations and/or applications to the LSB for approval)
• Considering the impacts of policy changes on other areas (e.g. training requirements, enforcement policy, monitoring and supervision), co-ordinating discussions with other BSB teams or external stakeholders
• Responding to queries about the BSB Handbook
• Providing planning and project management expertise where required in the Policy and Research Team, including allocation of tasks to other members of the team, including the Policy Officer
• Delivering training where required on the BSB Handbook and associated policy changes, drafting guidance documents and communications plans
• Managing equality impact assessments for policy developments and associated organisational change
• Assisting the Policy Manager as required with the progression of policy and project work in the department; and
• Carrying out other duties as may be required from time to time by the Policy Manager, Head of Policy and Research or Director of Strategy and Policy

Person SpecificationKnowledge

• Detailed understanding of the structure of the legal profession
• Understanding of the legal services environment and/or issues relating to professional practice, risk and regulation
• Must have knowledge of Policy Lifecycle
• Policy Development: must be able interpret, initiate, implement, develop complex data and evaluate the policies from other regulators, regulated sectors, government and consultancies.
• Understanding of equality and diversity law and policy and related training methodologies

Skills

• Collaboration: Ability to develop and maintain working relationships internally and externally with senior stakeholders
• Leadership: Ability to provide motivation and support and to persuade and inspire others
• Project Management: Ability to manage projects from end to end
• Communication: Ability to communicate complex information clearly

Keyskills :
CreativityInnovationTechnologyResearch ProjectsProject Work