Skip to main content

This job has expired

Principal Lawyer

Employer
Office for Environmental Protection
Location
Worcester, Worcestershire
Salary
£47,549
Closing date
4 Jul 2022

Office for Environmental Protection

Principal Lawyer

£47,549

Worcester (with options for some flexible working) or Contractual Home Worker for those based in Northern Ireland

Holding government and other public authorities to account on the environment

Now that the UK has left the EU, the new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) a new non-departmental public body, sponsored by Defra will be the cornerstone of environmental governance in England and Northern Ireland.,

We monitor and report on the UK and Northern Ireland governments' progress in meeting goals and targets set out under the Environment Act 2021, and on the wider implementation of environmental law. Advising ministers on proposed changes to environmental law, and other matters related to the natural environment is also part of our role. We investigate suspected serious failures to comply with environmental law by public authorities, and enforce compliance. And we also receive complaints from the public about suspected failures to comply with environmental law.

This is an unrivalled opportunity to join a new public body and help build its legal function from the ground up, influencing how the OEP will operate in its crucial early years. As a member of the legal team, you will be at the heart of operations, working on high profile, complex legal issues at the cutting edge of public law. You’ll provide legal and governance support to all OEP functions, advising on a wide variety of legal matters and providing input to strategic decisions on how and when the OEP should use its different powers. You will also take cases to court as necessary.

Qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive, you will have substantial post-qualification experience, including advising on public law or environmental law. We expect you to offer reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risks, and to have the ability to analyse and advise confidently on complex and novel legal issues, all within the framework of the wider political and economic landscape. Strong communication, negotiating and influencing skills are, of course, essential. The ability to work in an agile and flexible way, balancing different and changing priorities, will be vital to your success.

The natural environment is important for everyone, and we aim for our teams to reflect the diversity of our society. Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience and applications are welcomed from all backgrounds.

In return we offer a range of benefits including flexible working, generous annual leave, outstanding learning and development support including paid study leave, salary sacrifice schemes such as Cycle to Work and Charitable Giving, season ticket and rental deposit loans, and access to retail discounts and offers.

Apply

To apply, please click on the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: 11:55pm, Monday 4th July 2022.

 

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert