The Open University Faculty of Business and Law
Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference: 10593Job title: Lecturer in Law (4 posts)
Reports to: The Head of the Law School
Salary: £34,233 - £45,954 per annum
Terms and conditions: Academic
Grade: Academic Grade 2/3
Duration of post: 2 years
Working hours: Full time
Location: Milton Keynes
Closing date: Midday on 9 October 2014
Type of application form accepted: Electronic: short application form, CV and covering letter
Number of referees required: Three
Unit recruitment contact:
2. Summary of duties
· contribute to the undergraduate degree by working on the production and presentation of one or more foundation subjects of an English Qualifying Law Degree;
· contribute to the writing of OU produced undergraduate module materials initially at levels two and three;
· play a leading role in the development of the teaching of one or more of the foundation subjects of a QLD
· contribute to the development of tutors and support of students
· be responsive to multimedia developments within the OU;
· undertake research and scholarship in an area of interest to the OU Law School;
· play a full part in the academic life of the Law School, which is located on the Open University’s Walton Hall campus in Milton Keynes;
· serve as requested on Law School, Faculty and OU committees
3. Person specification
Criteria / Essential / DesirableEducation and qualifications / 1. A UK qualifying law degree or graduate diploma in law or equivalent; / 1. A relevant postgraduate and / or professional qualification;
Knowledge, work and other relevant work experience / 2. Specialist knowledge of and recent experience of teaching one (or more) foundation subjects;
3. Track record in, and an enthusiasm for, academic Law teaching, including evidence of:
§ Curriculum and pedagogical design and development;
§ ability to write learning materials at undergraduate level that are appropriate for The Open University;
§ a commitment to the provision of quality service to students;
§ a commitment to the progression of students;
§ an understanding of current developments in legal education;
4. A good record of academic research and scholarship;
5. Proven operational and administrative experience, including:
§ work on law modules at an undergraduate and /or postgraduate level;
§ ability to work to tight deadlines / 2. Specialist knowledge of and recent experience of teaching Criminal Law, Tort, Equity, or Land Law,
3. Experience of learner support in distance learning. For example support and development of tutors delivering the teaching of the learning resources;
4. Experience of developing and using multi-media and web-based learning technologies;
5. Experience in postgraduate legal education;
6. Knowledge of legal theory.
7. Ability to represent the institution externally;
8. Successful experience of doctoral level supervision;
9. Success in attracting external funding for scholarly activities;
Skills & competencies / 6. Computer literacy and ICT competence;
7. Flexible, resilient and a team player, but also capable of working independently;
8. Effective communication skills: orally, in writing and electronically;
9. Professionalism as a colleague and proven track record of working with others as a member of a team;
10. Excellent academic writing skills including writing for a variety of audiences; / 10. e-learning pedagogy;
11. Experience and knowledge of producing high quality learning materials appropriate for The Open University.
Additional requirements/Special circumstances / 11. Understanding of and demonstrable sympathy with OU values;
12. Commitment to equal opportunities policies and practices.
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
N/A5. About the unit/department
The Open University Law SchoolSince the Open University Law School began 15 years ago, more than 60,000 students have studied a law course and this year almost 7000 OU Law School students are ensuring that it continues to lead the sector in part-time distance-learning. The OU Law School offers an undergraduate law degree (LLB) and a Master’s degree in law (LLM).
Hitherto the LLB and an associated diploma have been offered in partnership with the University of Law. This partnership, which started in 1998, has seen almost 3,500 students successfully graduate with an LLB.
The LLM is a relatively recent development. The first law postgraduate course was offered in May 2011. Some 400 students are currently registered.
In 2013, The Open University and the University of Law announced the decision to end their formal partnership in order to expand their individual offerings into new areas and build on their individual strengths. A phased transition is under way which will be completed in 2018.
To help develop a wholly new undergraduate law programme, the number of lecturers and senior lecturers has more than doubled in the past year, and this post is one of a number that are being recruited to further strengthen the academic team.
Law School academics undertake a wide range of research including, the rights of women, children and victims, corporate social responsibility, ethics, law and religions, international law, teaching and learning in law, human trafficking, law and neuroscience,
The Law School is also engaged in a several outreach activities that involve the use of media including working with the BBC and the use Open Educational Resources to increase public understanding of law related issues and access to knowledge about law matters.
The Law School and its programmes are supported by a strong administrative team and a student support team based in Oxford.
Qualifications
Qualifications offered by the Law School include an undergraduate law degree and an LLM.
The Faculty of Business and Law
Administratively the Law School and the internationally renowned Open University Business School are the two constituents of the Faculty of Business and Law. In total the Faculty has over 200 internal staff including around 80 central academic staff, 40 regional academic staff, 55 academic-related staff and 30 administrative support staff. Additionally, there are over 700 associate lecturers.
Student satisfaction
The Faculty has received a rating of ‘excellent’ for teaching quality in the most recent HEFCE Teaching Quality Assessment. The Open University is consistently rated as one of the highest rated university in terms of overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey.
Research
Law School academics undertake a wide range of research including, the rights of women, children and victims, corporate social responsibility, professional ethics, law and neuroscience, land rights, law and religions, international law, teaching and learning in law.
The Law School is also engaged in a several outreach activities that involve the use of media including working with the BBC and the use Open Educational Resources to increase public understanding of law related issues and access to knowledge about law matters.
For more information on The Law School go to http://www.open.ac.uk/law/main/
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you have any queries about the role and nature of the post prior to applying, please contact: Geoff Peters, Head of Law School by email:If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact by email
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Midday on 9 October 2014e-mail your application to:
8. Selection process and date of interview
How to ApplyComplete the short application form.
The form has been designed to give the information needed at this initial stage.
Covering letter
Write a covering letter of up to 750 words indicating why you are interested in this post and how you believe your knowledge, experience and skills meet the Person Specification and the Duties to be performed.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please enclose an up to date CV with your application for employment. Please remove any information from your CV that might give an indication of your race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation, as these details are irrelevant to your application
Decisions about short listing will be based solely on the information you provide on your application form, CV and covering letter.
The Appointing Committee will shortlist candidates whose written application demonstrates a good fit with the Person Specification and the Duties to be performed. Please note that we shall be unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted.
Interviews are planned for November 2014 at Milton Keynes, but this may be changed if operationally required. Please also note that occasionally there may be a need for second interview.
Shortlisted candidates will be expected to produce in advance of the interview learning materials on a topic that Open University students would read in a manual or study guide. For guidance, you will find sample Open University learning materials in the section ‘Try our law materials’ at: www8.open.ac.uk/business-school/law/why-study-law-ou. Candidates will be provided with further details about this task after being shortlisted for interview.
The Appointing Committee will include:
· The Head of the Law School or their nominee
· Two other members of the Law School
· A member from the Faculty of Business and Law
· A member from another Faculty in the University
Human Resources HRG158 Issue 2
January 2010
Page 5 of 5