Director of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom

Job Title: Director of Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom

Publication Date and Duration: 13th June to the 27th July

Location: London or Bristol

Location description: The successful candidate will work flexibly, based in either London or Bristol.

Contract Type/ Hours: This is intended to be a full time, executive position (1.0 full-time equivalent). The successful candidate will work flexibly, based in either London or Bristol. Remote working may also be a possibility.
Applications may be considered from candidates wishing to do this on a part-time basis of 0.6 or higher.

Salary Band: The role attracts an annual salary of £99,164 pro rata
 
Job Description:
 
The Secretary of State for Education is seeking a new Director for Free Speech and Academic Freedom. The successful applicant will be responsible for overseeing the OfS’s free speech functions. These are set out in the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Bill 2021 as well as the Higher Education and Research Act 2017. 
 
This will include: 
 

• Overseeing the promotion of the importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom in higher education and reporting to the OfS board on freedom of speech and academic freedom matters. 
• Overseeing the implementation and operation of a new complaints scheme for individuals, ensuring that students, staff and visiting speakers have a clear route to redress if they have suffered adverse consequences as a result of exercising their freedom of speech rights. 
• Overseeing the OfS’s approach to compliance for providers and students’ unions in relation to their freedom of speech obligations, identifying systemic issues and reporting on these to incentivise compliance.
• Oversee the development of any guidance in relation to freedom of speech and academic freedom, including best practice guidance.
• Working to the chief executive and closely with others in the OfS executive team to ensure that freedom of speech and academic freedom is integrated into the overall approach of the OfS as well as working with providers to ensure a transparent and coherent approach to the obligations placed on providers and their students’ unions for free speech and academic freedom.
• Contributing to the development, leadership, management, and success of the Office the Students as a member of the Executive Team. 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Applicants will be assessed against the following criteria. If there is a 
high volume of applicants, preliminary sifting will be done using only the 
first three criteria. 
 
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

1. Strategic and influential leadership skills, with the ability to lead a complex debate and shape public and sector attitudes, in a complex and dynamic environment. 
2. Proven communication, negotiation and influencing skills at a senior level, which would enable you to build effective relationships with Ministers, the OfS board and Executive and across the sector, commanding the respect of a diverse range of stakeholders. 
3. A demonstrated commitment to consistently and publicly upholding the values of freedom of speech and academic freedom. 
4. The ability to manage and bring about sector-wide change in light of new or developing Ministerial policies and priorities. 

 
DESIRABLE CRITERIA

5. Experience of one or more of the following: operating complaints or other ombudsman style schemes; the operation of academia and higher education; the work of a regulator.
6. An understanding of the legal framework concerning freedom of speech and academic freedom, including how this relates to other relevant legislation such as the Equality Act 2010 and the Higher Education and Research Act 2017
 
Location
The successful candidate will work flexibly, based in either London or Bristol. Remote working may also be a possibility.
 
Applications may be considered from candidates wishing to do this on a part-time basis of 0.6 or higher.
 
Term
The role will be for a 4-year term, with the option of this being extended. 

Renumeration
The role attracts an annual salary of £99,164 pro rata 
 
Expenses
You will be reimbursed for any travel and subsistence expenses you necessarily incur while on official OfS business at the appropriate rate. 
 
Pension
The Director for Free Speech and Academic Freedom will be eligible to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. 

Other
 
You will be expected to demonstrate high standards of corporate and personal conduct. 

The successful candidate will be asked to subscribe to a Code of Conduct for Members of the board and must confirm that you have sound understanding of and commitment to the principles of public life (which are set out on page 9).
 
Applications: 
 
Via email (there is further information on what is needed in the candidate pack)