Lawyer

Office for Environmental Protection

Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 8th October 2024

 

Details

Reference number

369857

Salary

£38,973 - £43,417
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Senior Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

OEP - General Counsel

Type of role

Legal Services

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time, Compressed hours

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

Worcester

Job summary

This is a unique opportunity for a junior lawyer looking to develop their career in environmental law. The legal team in the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) operates at the centre of the UK’s new system for environmental governance. We work on some of the most stimulating matters in public environmental law, tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time, from climate change to biodiversity loss.

We are looking for a newly qualified or junior lawyer to join our team and help make a meaningful contribution towards environmental protection and improvement.

Created by the Environment Act 2021, the OEP’s principal objective is to protect and improve the environment. We do this by holding government and other public bodies to account including by:

  • reporting on progress against England’s and Northern Ireland’s environmental improvement plans and environmental targets
  • advising government on proposed changes to environmental laws and other matters
  • reporting to Parliament/the Assembly about the implementation of environmental law, and
  • investigating suspected failures by public authorities to comply with environmental law and, where necessary, taking enforcement action.

Our legal team plays a crucial role in delivering every aspect of this work.

The roles are based in the OEP’s General Counsel directorate, which comprises 16 lawyers and legal researchers. The successful candidate will be managed by one of our Principal Lawyers. They would also work closely with other members of our legal team, including the General Counsel and our other heads of function - our Head of Litigation and Casework, our Head of Legal Research and Analysis and our Head of Environmental Law.

The OEP is a small, friendly and flexible organisation. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.

To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website.

The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) which means it operates independently from Defra and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.

Job description

The legal team provides legal and governance support to all OEP functions and decision making. We work in a flexible way, with members of the team acting across the full range of the OEP’s functions. We also work closely with colleagues of other specialisms in multi-disciplinary teams.

Our Lawyer role could be well suited to a newly qualified or junior lawyer (up to approximately two years’ post-qualification experience) who wishes to gain exposure to environmental and public law. Prior knowledge of these areas of law would be helpful but is not a pre-requisite; we expect successful candidates to develop in-role.

With support and supervision from other team members, you would be responsible for a caseload of both contentious and non-contentious matters, working on both a standalone basis and embedded within our multidisciplinary teams.

Specific areas where you can expect opportunities to work on include:

  • providing legal advice and assistance to our complaints team dealing with complaints about public authorities suspected of failing to comply with environmental law
  • with supervision, inputting into OEP investigations into such failures and conducting any litigation undertaken to enforce compliance with environmental law, and
  • providing advice, with appropriate supervision, on aspects of environmental and public law, governance, commercial and other legal issues
  • assisting with providing legal input and advice for projects to monitor and report on the implementation of environmental law
  • undertaking legal research and analysis across a range of environmental and other laws
  • instructing and managing counsel and external solicitors
  • supporting the training of other OEP staff, particularly in matters of environmental and public law.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Information Webinars: 

We are hosting a webinar during the application period to provide potential candidates with the opportunity to meet the team, to find out more about the role and to ask questions.  The webinar will be held on Tuesday 24 September 2024, 11:00 - 12:00. Please click on link to join 369857 Lawyer Webinar.

Please note if you are unable to attend the webinar, a recording will be made available on the OEP webpage approximately 24 hours later.


Person specification

Essential Criteria;

These are the essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications that the role holder will need to be able to perform in the role successfully. This will be what the candidate bases their personal statement on and provide evidence against.

  • Qualified to practice as a solicitor, barrister or chartered legal executive in England and Wales - please see the Important Information note below.
  • Able to demonstrate some knowledge and a genuine interest in environmental law
  • Able to provide sound legal advice tailored to client needs and based on a risk-based analysis of relevant legal and factual information
  • Strong legal research and analysis skills; you use appropriate research methods to identify relevant sources of information, with the ability to analyse complex factual and legal issues
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills; you can present technical legal and non-legal material in a clear and compelling way, both orally and in writing such as through legal advice and reports
  • Motivated by your personal development; you are happy to work in a continuously learning and improving environment, to stretch yourself and embrace your own development, and to put learning into effect to continuously improve in-role
  • Deliver at pace; you are resilient, well-organised and able to work flexibly to produce high quality work to tight deadlines and to balance conflicting demands, and
  • Work well with others; you are flexible and adaptable, and contribute to the team, working collaboratively with colleagues from a range of backgrounds and disciplines.

Important Information: We recognise that many people interested in this post will be working towards qualifications. We will accept applications from candidates who are currently working towards qualifications providing they are able take and pass exams before the end of January 2025. Any offer will be conditional on the basis that proof of qualifications can be provided in this timeframe. No formal offer or appointment will be made until this is confirmed. The conditional offer maybe withdrawn if proof of qualifications cannot be provided by the end of January 2025.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Developing Self and Others
  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Legal Advice: You can identify client needs for legal advice, gather and analyse relevant legal and factual information and present your advice in a clear, compelling way that addresses identified client needs.
Alongside your salary of £38,973, Office for Environmental Protection contributes £11,290 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Leave and Flexible Working 

The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.   

Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy. 

The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need. 

 

Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme 

The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees.  Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.  

The OEP has a quarterly ‘In-year Bonus Scheme’ where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements. 

 

Learning and Development 

The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development. 

Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses. 

 

Staff Wellbeing 

Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include: 

  •  Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.  
  • Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.  
  • Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources. 
  • Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app. 
  • Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal. 
  • Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use. 

 

Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits 

All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services. 

 

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process 

The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile  framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.   

When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result). 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 750 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification in the advert.  

The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education. 

Further details are provided on the application form.

Sift 

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role. 

Once the sift has concluded, applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage. 

 
Interview and ID Verification 

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours, Strengths and Technical elements. 
 
At interview, you may be required to deliver a presentation or complete an additional exercise. If this is required, details will be sent alongside your invite to interview. 

Interviews will be held in person at our Worcester office.

Travel and subsistence costs will not be reimbursed for candidates travelling to interview. 

 

Appointments 

All appointments will be made in merit order.

Any appointment to this role will be conditional on the basis that the applicant is able to provide evidence of the necessary qualifications prior to the end of January 2025. If evidence of qualifications cannot be provided by the end of this timeframe, the conditional offer will be withdrawn. 

 

Identification 

Candidates will need to bring ID to interview for verification in person. Human Resources will contact you to advise what ID you need to bring.  

Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service. 

 
Reserve List 

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order. 

 

Near Miss Appointments 

On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade. 

 
Salary 

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. 

 

Location and Office Attendance 

All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland.  This role is based in Worcester.

All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces  a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office. 

Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, it’s envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working. 

Reasonable Adjustment 

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

  • Contact the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.uk  as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 
  • Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility 

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. 

Criminal Record Check 

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

 

Visa Sponsorship Statement 

Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. 
 
 
Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to the OEP from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 



Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

  • Name : OEP Recruitment
  • Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk

Recruitment team

  • Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk

Further information

Complaints If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the OEP via email: recruitment@theoep.org.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the OEP, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: click here to visit the Civil Service Commission.

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