Senior Fellow in Citizenship and the Rule of Law

Location: Russell Square, London

Term: To 31 August 2026, extendable if further funding is secured

Hours: 3 days/21 hours per week (0.6 FTE)

We are looking for a motivated, inclusive and committed person with experience of education and/or civil society work and project management, to lead the Bingham Centre’s innovative programme of engagement with young people and the general public. The aim of this work is to build understanding of the rule of law, a vital aspect of citizenship in our modern society.

Background

The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law is part of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL), a leading independent institute based in London.

The Centre’s focus area on Citizenship and the Rule of Law recognises that public understanding of the rule of law is vital to protecting and strengthening it. There needs to be a concerted effort to engage with the general public and particularly young people, who are likely to benefit tremendously from learning about the role of law and legal institutions in securing their rights and enabling fair and equal participation in civic life.

The Role

The Senior Fellow will undertake the following duties, working in conjunction with a Researcher and volunteers undertaking pro bono activities:

• Manage the Public and Youth Engagement Programme.
• Engage with school and other institutions about Bingham Centre resources and programmes;
• Maintain, develop and deepen relationships with stakeholders in the citizenship and public legal education fields; and
• Plan and initiate new projects, and contribute to the development of projects by other colleagues.

Person Specification

Experience

• Working with young people or disadvantaged communities;
• Teaching, campaign work or legal practice (experience in any one of these areas is essential, and a combination may be an advantage);
• Managing projects, including liaising with multiple partners and civil society stakeholders; experience of monitoring and evaluation of projects would be an advantage.

Knowledge

• A degree in law, politics or a related field; for non-law graduates, demonstrable knowledge of the rule of law;
• Sufficient knowledge of current affairs and the UK legal system to produce briefing papers for both students and teachers;
• Broad awareness of rule of law issues outside the UK.

Competences

• Excellent writing skills, and the ability to present material in an engaging and accessible manner (experience of preparing materials or reports for non-legal audiences may be an advantage);
• Good organisational skills;
• An enthusiasm for bringing people together;
• Willingness to facilitate discussions featuring viewpoints with which you disagree;
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, basic websites and social media in a professional environment (primarily X and LinkedIn)

Application Process

Deadline: 23:59 on 15 January 2025.

Full details of the role and application process are available via the ‘Apply’ button above.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr Jan van Zyl Smit, Director of the Bingham Centre (j.vanzylsmit@binghamcentre.biicl.org).

We welcome applications regardless of race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We particularly encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds are currently under-represented in law and politics.

Applicants must currently have the right to work in the UK or be in a position to secure the right to work in the UK by commencement of employment.

A DBS enhanced check is required for this role.

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