2x Deputy Director, Defra Legal Advisers (Circular Economy / Marine & Fisheries)

Job summary

From healthcare to artificial intelligence, energy to national security, we provide legal advice to government departments on nation-changing subjects.

At Government Legal Department we have a vital, single-minded purpose: to help the Government govern well within the rule of law. This is complemented by our exciting vision to be an outstanding legal organisation, committed to the highest standards of service and professionalism and a brilliant place to work where we can all thrive and fulfil our potential.

Our work touches almost every aspect of public life. We are the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters.

Our respected professionals are involved in everything from regulation and litigation to advice on drafting legislation. They provide expertise to the full range of government departments. We are at the heart of delivering the government’s priorities and our success depends on our people.

GLD is a non-ministerial government department headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary, and employs nearly 4000 people, including nearly 3000 legal professionals. We have offices nationwide, in Bristol, Leeds, inner and outer London and Manchester. Our lawyers can also be located within other departments and overseas.

GLD also depends on a range of cross-functional professionals to provide our corporate services. There are nearly 1000 colleagues playing an essential part in helping GLD to achieve its purpose and truly deliver much more than law.

This is an exciting time to join GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.

To find out more about what we do you can view our introductory film. On our website you can hear from team members, find out how to apply and learn about the benefits of working for GLD.

You can also read more about the future vision for GLD in our GLD Strategy 2024 – 2027.

Job description

Defra Legal Advisers (DLA) provides legal advice across the full breadth of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Defra is responsible for protecting and enhancing the environment, supporting a thriving food, farming and fisheries sector, safeguarding animal and plant health, and driving sustainable economic growth.

DLA advises on some of the most complex, high-profile and politically significant issues facing Government. Our lawyers support Ministers and officials across the full policy lifecycle, from the development of policy and legislation through to implementation and delivery. As a member of the DLA Senior Leadership Team, you will play a key role in delivering the DLA Strategy and leadership pledge, helping to build a directorate that delivers for Defra's priorities, promotes inclusion and collaboration, develops its people, and provides high-quality legal services across Government.

We are recruiting two Deputy Directors to lead legal teams operating at the forefront of Defra's agenda:

Deputy Director, Circular Economy will lead a team providing legal advice on major environmental reforms, including waste crime and enforcement, recycling and waste reform, extended producer responsibility, product sustainability reforms and a significant programme of secondary legislation supporting the Government's circular economy ambitions.

Deputy Director, Marine and Fisheries (Oceans) will lead a team advising on marine conservation, fisheries management, international marine negotiations and environmental protection. The team supports Ministers on complex domestic and international legal issues, including fisheries agreements, marine protected areas, biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and other strategically important marine priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate legal leadership in a key priority area for government
• Personally advise the Secretary of State and Ministers on all aspects of domestic and international law
• Support others to advise Ministers on both international and domestic law in a complex legislative landscape
• Build networks that enable you to operate seamlessly across boundaries
• Exercise sound political and legal judgement
• Be a strong team leader, fully committed to the development of your team
• Support the development of a newly configured team, fostering close links to other teams in DLA; and
• Play a critical leadership role in DLA as part of our SLT

These roles offer the opportunity to provide legal leadership on matters of national importance, working directly with Ministers and senior officials on legally and politically sensitive issues. You will help shape policy outcomes, influence decision-making across Government and contribute to the strategic leadership of Defra Legal Advisers.

Person specification

It is important through your CV and Personal Statement that you provide evidence and examples of proven experience of these selection criteria. Below are details of the essential criteria from the Civil Service Success Profiles that make up these roles. Further guidance can be found at Success Profiles.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Behaviours (all points assessed at application and interview)

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Technical Legal Professional Skills

Essential – must be demonstrated at application and interview

• Brings wider legal experience and knowledge to bear, demonstrating creative thinking and the ability to facilitate practical solutions.
• Effectively manages legal risk
• Provides sound legal direction to the team and takes responsibility for the professional work of the team.
• Excellent knowledge, understanding and experience of public law.

Desirable

Desirable criteria will be used when there is a need to distinguish between candidates who are closely tied or the same after the initial consideration of essential criteria, at sift and interview.

• Experience of international negotiations and international law [Marine and Fisheries – Oceans]

Security Clearance Level

All GLD employees must hold BPSS. In addition to this, those based in our London offices must hold or be willing to obtain CTC level clearance for this role. If London based, you can start your position pending this clearance level, however your appointment will be conditional upon obtaining CTC clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levels before completing your application.

Sponsorship and Visas

There is the possibility that GLD can provide sponsorship for skilled workers, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set down under current immigration legislation.