Legal advisor jobs in oxford, oxfordshire
Title: Legal Coordinator
Reports to: Head of Legal
Salary: £30,000-40,000 (depending on experience)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 per week over 5 days (Monday to Friday)
Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays
Location: Remote with regular travel to London and across the UK
Probationary period: 3 months
Benefits: An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution, Cycle to Work scheme
Start date: As soon as possible
We are River Action
We are a campaign organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from the impacts of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution. We take a creative and bold approach to campaigning, blending sharp strategy with positively disruptive tactics to inspire real action. We support grassroots movements, galvanise public opinion, influence government policy and drive industry change.
We are a small, dedicated and talented team of positive disrupters and community mobilisers who work collaboratively to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of people and nature.
Find out more about our mission and our team on our website.
Who we’re looking for
Do you want to be part of a movement making waves to clean up the UK’s rivers? Are you passionate about using the law as a tool for change? Do you have the legal and research skills to amplify our impact? If so, we want you to join our team.
We are looking for a highly capable, ambitious, well-organised, energetic, proactive and diligent individual with legal experience (academic or professional) to play an integral role in developing and delivering our growing legal, policy and advocacy work.
You don’t need to be a qualified or practising lawyer, but you do need to have a law degree or equivalent and familiarity with environmental law. You’ll understand the importance of winning in both courts of law and of public opinion. You’ll be passionate, eager to learn and committed to making change happen quickly.
If you’re committed to River Action’s mission and want to be at the forefront of environmental law, policy and advocacy, we’d love to hear from you.
Essential experience and skills
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Demonstrable UK legal experience (academic and/or professional), ideally including environmental, public and administrative law. A law degree or equivalent is required.
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Excellent legal research, drafting and communication skills.
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Ability to translate complex legal issues into accessible and impactful messaging.
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Strong organisational and interpersonal skills with demonstrable experience of coordinating multiple projects, working flexibly and at a fast pace.
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Good understanding of strategic litigation and using the law as a tool for change.
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Proven ability to produce high quality work under pressure.
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Excellent IT skills.
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Commitment to River Action’s mission and to working collaboratively across the sector.
Desirable experience and skills
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Qualification as a solicitor or barrister.
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Experience working in a similar role.
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Experience working in the UK’s environmental sector.
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Experience with strategic litigation and using the law as a tool for change.
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Experience with instructing and managing external lawyers.
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Experience working with parliamentarians and of UK parliamentary procedures.
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Media/spokesperson experience.
What you’ll be doing
As Legal Coordinator, you will play a crucial role in shaping River Action’s fight for cleaner rivers by acting as the link between legal expertise provided by external lawyers and River Action’s day-to-day campaigning, policy, advocacy and operational work.
The role will involve working closely with River Action’s Head of Legal to use the law and legal strategies to strengthen and improve environmental protection of the UK’s rivers. This exciting role will include scoping, developing and managing strategic litigation to achieve systemic change as well as supporting River Action’s policy and advocacy work. You’ll also support the River Action team to build successful campaigns to challenge polluters, hold government and regulators accountable, and push for policy reform.
Key duties and responsibilities
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Support the Head of Legal in scoping, developing and managing River Action’s legal work, including commissioning legal services from external lawyers and providing instructions on legal matters.
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Produce legal research and analysis to inform and support River Action’s strategic litigation, policy and advocacy work.
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Work with the campaigns team to develop impactful legal actions as part of creative and positively disruptive campaigns to deliver organisational goals.
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Work with the communities team to identify opportunities for River Action to support communities through legal action, including by developing the River Rescue Kit and other initiatives to extend impact.
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Engage with and obtain information and evidence from claimants, complainants, expert witnesses and other sources to support legal actions and campaigns.
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Develop an in-depth understanding of UK legal and policy frameworks relating to rivers and ensure colleagues are kept up to date with changes.
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Monitor legal developments including caselaw and legislative proposals, working closely with the Head of Legal to understand the implications and opportunities for River Action’s work.
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Ensure team members are well-briefed on the latest legal developments (both River Action’s work and wider developments) to support their external engagement.
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Prepare and contribute to legal and policy briefings for River Action and its eNGO partners and for public and political audiences.
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Contribute to River Action’s policy and advocacy work, ensuring our positions are considered and evidenced.
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Contribute to shaping River Action’s positions and key messaging so they are relevant and accurate.
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Provide legal support for River Action’s campaigning and operational activities, including by researching relevant laws and by commissioning external legal advice on non-contentious matters.
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Support colleagues to ensure River Action’s campaigning and communication activities and outputs are legally compliant and help to protect the charity from defamation, copyright infringement or other claims.
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Write articles and act as spokesperson for River Action in owned and earned media.
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Work across the team to track, record and report impact.
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Support River Action’s fundraising activities including contributing towards funding proposals, pitching and reporting.
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Review and respond to legal queries that come to River Action, escalating to the Head of Legal or other colleagues as appropriate.
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Administrative duties including developing and maintaining River Action’s legal documentation, processes and systems on the organisation’s shared drive.
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Build relationships and partnerships across the legal sector and environmental sector to inform River Action’s work and contribute to the wider movement.
General duties and responsibilities
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Follow all charity policies and procedures.
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Actively participate as part of the team.
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Help to promote a positive, healthy and happy work environment and team culture.
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Actively engage in professional development and training.
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Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action, external lawyers and stakeholders to deliver our mission.
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Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.
As a small and agile team, we value flexibility. While these are the core responsibilities, staff may be asked to take on additional tasks as needed. If any task becomes a regular duty, the job description will be updated in consultation with the staff member.
Location
You will work from home with some travel required to London and across the UK.
The full team meets in person at least four times per year. These are multi-day meetings held in different locations in the UK. Additional UK travel will also be required. The fast-paced nature of our work and small size of our organisation means we are in very regular contact, ensuring a strong connection across the team.
Diversity and inclusion
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in the environment sector.
Don’t meet every single requirement? We know that long lists can be daunting and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.
How to apply
To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Legal Coordinator’:
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your CV (2 pages), and
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a cover letter (2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the role.
Only applications including both documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format.
Application process
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on Monday 29 September 2025.
Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel.
Initial interviews will be held on 1 and 2 October 2025 and panel interviews will be held in w/c 6 October 2025, all via video conference. For panel interviews, some questions will be provided in advance for equity and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge, skills and experience most effectively.
Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.
If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: Trainee or Qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) with an interest in working with children and young people (aged 16 - 25) who are at high risk of serious harm from domestic abuse
Locality: Oxfordshire
Salary: £27,000 - £29,000 depending on experience
Hours of work: 37 hrs per week
Notice: 2 calendar months 1 month during the Probationary period. Probationary 6 months
Accountable to: Service Manager of Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse, CEO ultimately the Board of Trustees
Context of post
Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse is a company and charity set up to:
- provide inclusive services that reduce the risk of domestic abuse and promote the safety, choices and welfare of those affected
- enhance awareness of the nature and prevalence of domestic violence and help to foster good practice and an integrated multi integrated approach.
- This post holder will be in the high-risk team and be managed by the Service Manager with support from the Senior IDVA.
- A structured training and induction programme is in place to ensure new staff members are knowledgeable, confident and comfortable with the role.
- After 6 months of experience, the applicant will attend the Safelives IDVA training.
- Workload will be adjusted and study time will be given for attendance at training.
- Salary will be uplifted on successful completion of the course.
Function
The first priority of the charity is to provide an Independent Domestic Violence Advisor Service for the county. The post holder will be a member of the IDVA team and provide a pro-active service to victims of domestic violence to keep them safe and promote their wellbeing. They will use their skills to assess the risk a client is in, deliver a service appropriate to the level of risk and have a particular focus on providing an intensive service to those at high risk. The post holder will have the skills to act as lead professional, working to ensure an integrated service and co-ordinating multi agency work to keep people safe, in addition to working with victims and signposting to other services.
Responsibilities:
- Work as part of the Oxfordshire IDVA team to provide pro-active service and advice to victims at high risk of harm from domestic abuse to keep them and their children safe
- Risk assess and deliver service in keeping with the result
- Undertake safety planning with clients
- Develop individual service plans to meet the specific risks clients face
- Where relevant also support victims in their role as primary carers for their children
- Manage a caseload
- Maintain and update records of all cases
- Keep other relevant services informed about important changes in client’s situation
- Support clients through the criminal justice system, explaining the procedures and their role and rights within that system
- Ensure that clients are immediately informed of any CJS developments and advised on any aspect affecting their safety
- Explain housing, civil and criminal legal options to clients
- Ensure that clients access the services to which they are entitled
- Refer on and arrange meetings with other agencies/services as necessary e.g. solicitors, benefit agencies, etc.
- Note and feedback to other agencies any consistent difficulties clients are having accessing their service
- Help clients develop their own support network
- Follow procedures and protocols so that the safety of the clients is kept central to any process
- Ensure Reducing the Risk fulfils its responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children
- Understand the legal framework relating to the protection of children, and the policy and procedures of Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board – including specific guidelines applied to the voluntary sector
- Participate in supervision and support systems for the service, and in training and professional development
- Bring casework issues and regular difficulties clients are having to the attention of the manager; contribute to efforts to improve Reducing the Risk practice and procedures and/or to work through multi agency partnerships to improve multi agency practice
- Any additional responsibilities as reasonably requested by the manager or trustees
The nature of this post will require flexibility to meet work needs as they arise. This may occassionally entail some work outside normal office hours. The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to their duties. These may have to be varied after discussion, subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. There will also sometimes be a necessity to work effectively under pressure.
Appointment to the post will be subject to full enhanced DSB checks.
Full drivers licence with the use of a car for work
Ability to travel around the county
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
People Manager – Permanent, Remote
Full-time (35 hrs) – Open to part-time
Are you ready to take the lead on shaping people strategy and culture in a mission-driven organisation? MLC Partners are recruiting for an experienced People Manager to play a central role in modernising HR systems, embedding best practice, and creating a workplace where people feel supported, included, and able to thrive.
The opportunity
This is a pivotal role, reporting directly to the Head of People and Governance. You’ll be responsible for managing a small HR team while also influencing senior stakeholders and working closely with staff representatives. The role will combine strategic input with hands-on delivery, ensuring the organisation not only meets its legal obligations but develops as an innovative and inclusive workplace.
Key responsibilities:
- HR leadership: Oversee recruitment, retention, payroll, benefits and workforce planning, ensuring the organisation is effectively resourced.
- Modernising policies: Lead the review and update of policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with employment law and alignment with organisational values.
- Employee relations: Act as a trusted advisor to managers, supporting them to handle disciplinary, grievance, performance, and capability issues with confidence and fairness.
- Change and culture: Partner with managers, unions and staff to deliver organisational change, embedding inclusive and people-focused practices at every level.
- Data and reporting: Use analytics to identify workforce trends and provide insights that shape decision-making.
- Learning and development: Drive the implementation of performance management frameworks, development plans, and training initiatives.
- Team management: Line manage two senior HR professionals as well as providing oversight to a small staff team, fostering collaboration and high performance.
About you:
We’re looking for someone with the confidence and credibility to lead a people function in a complex, unionised environment. You’ll need to be:
- Qualified: CIPD Level 7 (or equivalent) with significant HR management experience.
- Experienced: Skilled in employee relations, organisational change, and managing union negotiations. Background in the not-for-profit, public sector, or membership organisations is highly valued.
- Knowledgeable: Up to date with UK employment law, HR systems, and best practice in people management.
- Influential: Strong communicator and relationship-builder, able to engage and influence at all levels.
- Values-driven: Committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement in people practices.
Why join?
This is an exciting chance to step into a role where you can make a visible and lasting impact. You’ll have the scope to reshape policies, implement new systems, and guide leaders through meaningful organisational change. If you’re motivated by modernising HR, supporting people to succeed, and working in a collaborative and purpose-led environment, please apply now.
We welcome applications from underrepresented communities, including Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic groups, disabled people, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Applicants are under constant review, and the role may be filled prior to the ad closing. For a further confidential discussion about this role and to discuss your career search, please reach out to Annabelle Stuart at MLC Partners.
Thank you!
Together, the charities Sands and Tommy’s have formed a Joint Policy Unit (JPU) focussed on achieving policy change that will save more babies’ lives during pregnancy and the neonatal period and on tackling inequalities in loss, so that everyone can benefit from the best possible outcomes.
The JPU’s mission is to secure policy change that will reduce rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-term birth and neonatal death, and to work to eliminate inequalities in these outcomes.
While there is widespread agreement on the need for change to improve the safety of maternity and neonatal services, what that change looks like is not clear. To save more babies’ lives we believe that a continued focus is required, and that governments should set new commitments to reduce perinatal mortality and preterm births, focused on matching the best-performing countries in Europe.
This role will be crucial to the continued success of the JPU unit; leading, shaping and coordinating all the unit’s work.
We are looking for an independent and assertive problem-solver, a policy expert who can manage multiple priorities, take the initiative, lead the national conversation and is as excited as we are about taking the helm of this venture for both of our organisations.
The successful candidate will need to have a substantial track record of effectively leading and implementing national policy and influencing programmes, driving change and achieving the desired impact.
You will have considerable experience across research, data analysis, policy development, public affairs and communications. Additionally, you will be well-versed in research and data management, including analysing complex data and evaluating policy developments.
Experience of being a member of a senior management team with successful, significant and relevant management and leadership experience is also essential.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Community Fundraiser - Home Counties
Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?
Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire and Essex.
Key Responsibilities:
- Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects
- Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth
- Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders
- Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research
Requirements:
- At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation
- Strong experience in supporter stewardship
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike
- Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure
If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.
We will give preference to those candidates living in the Bucks, Beds and Northants areas of this region.
We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.
We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.
Closing Date: 26th September 2025
We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.
Registered Charity
51 - 100
To find a cure for all types of brain tumours To increase the UK investment in brain tumour research
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.