Background
- The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law was founded in 2010 in honour of the late Lord Bingham of Cornhill, one of the greatest judges of his generation. It is devoted to the study and promotion of the rule of law worldwide, defining and implementing the rule of law as a universal and practical concept that upholds respect for human dignity and enhances economic development and political stability. The Centre is a constituent part of the British Institute for International and Comparative Law (BIICL), the foremost independent research and discussion body of its kind in the world.
- The inaugural Director of the Bingham Centre, Professor Sir Jeffrey Jowell KCMG QC, is completing his term of office. He has established a thriving Centre, which is now engaged in a wide range of research projects, events, publications and training, and has generated a range of reports and proposals having important impact on policy and legal changes around the world.
- The Centre now has the full-time equivalent of about 8 researchers and 3 administrative staff directly associated with it, as well as interns and visiting Bingham Fellows (from practice and academia who can add to its capacity). It works closely with all other parts of BIICL, which has a total staff of about 30 people.
Job Description
- The Centre is seeking to build on the excellent foundation crafted by Jeffrey Jowell, by continuing to enhance the positive public profile of the Centre and its growing international reputation.
- The Centre Director provides intellectual and operational leadership, strategic direction and management of the Centre. The Centre Director’s main responsibilities, with some support from other staff, include:
• Leadership of the Centre in the promotion, understanding and implementation of the rule of law globally, in its research, events, training, publication and other activities;
• Devising the strategic direction of the Centre, including on the selection of research projects, events and training areas of the Centre, and implementing it effectively worldwide;
• Management of the Centre’s staff and others connected with the Centre, and, where relevant, directly supervising their work;
• Undertaking research to a high quality and, where possible, obtaining substantial research funding for the Centre’s activities;
• Management of the Centre’s finances;
• Seeking and obtaining core funding from donors, to provide as much long-term financial stability for the Centre as possible
• Being a public advocate for, and representing, the Centre, including communicating effectively the work of the Centre to experts, governments and the public in the UK and internationally, and taking positive steps to draw attention to, and provide academic comment on, threats to the rule of law around the world; and
• Working effectively with the BIICL Director and other staff in the activities of BIICL and its engagement with external organisations and people, with limited administrative support.
- The Centre Director reports to the BIICL Director and to the BIICL Board of Trustees, who are eminent lawyers with experience as lawyers in academia, government and private practice, non-governmental organisations and as judges. The Centre Director also works with a Development Board and other distinguished advisers to ensure the longer-term funding of the Centre.
Person Specification
- The successful applicant will have the following mix of experience, skills and attributes:
• A record as a leader with strategic vision, with experience of leading teams of highly motivated and professional people being desirable;
• Experience of interacting appropriately with respected legal practitioners, academics, experts and others working in the rule of law worldwide, and with external organisations;
• Evidence of high level of knowledge of, and research in, constitutional, comparative and international aspects of the rule of law;
• Practical relevant expertise in the UK and elsewhere, with evidence of understanding legal practice being an advantage;
• Ability to express clearly and coherently ideas and concepts to a wide audience and engage in public debate;
• An ability to lead and co-ordinate research activities, and obtain and manage research funding;
• An ability to supervise and mentor staff, and assist in their career development, as well as to delegate appropriately and effectively;
• An ability and willingness to undertake, and deal effectively, efficiently and appropriately with, administrative responsibilities within a small team; and
• An ability and willingness to work collaboratively and collegially with colleagues.
Further Particulars
- This is a full-time post for a five year period, though an appointment for slightly less than full-time will be considered. Secondments for this period may also be considered.
- A salary package of around £80,000 pa is expected, depending on qualifications and experience. It is hoped that the person appointed will commence in October 2015.
Application process
- Applicants are encouraged to find out more about the Bingham Centre, its members of staff and activities at http://www.binghamcentre.biicl.org.
- Informal enquiries may be addressed to the BIICL Director, Professor Robert McCorquodale (r.mccorquodale@biicl.org), or to the Chair of the BIICL Board of Trustees, Sir Frank Berman (FBerman@essexcourt.net).
- The deadline for applications is Monday 29 June 2015. Applicants should send the following by email to jobs@biicl.org:
• The application cover form that can be downloaded fromhttp://www.biicl.org/vacancies/;
• A full curriculum vitae, including the names and addresses of three referees, at least two of whom may be contacted prior to interview; and
• A covering letter setting out their reasons for applying and how they consider that they meet the person specification for this post.
- It is expected that interviews will take place in mid-July 2015.