Your New Company Were delighted to be representing a prominent public body conducting a market search for a Senior Legal Advisor to join their growing In-House legal team in Belfast. This is a full time permanent role. Closing date for applications Friday 25thJuly at 12pm. Your New Role As the Senior Legal Advisor, you will be working within the Chief Executive Office, and will be expected to provide clear, concise and timely legal advice in response to requests for advice on matters relating to any aspect of the organisations extensive statutory remit. Such matters will include modifications required to regulatory licences and codes; transposition and implementation of European Directives in so far as they relate to electricity, gas and water; interpretation of energy and water law; advising on the determination of regulatory complaints and disputes and enforcement action in accordance with statutory requirements (where there has been a suspected breach of a licence or other legal requirement); and advising on corporate issue and public law matters. Main responsibilities Display the values of the organisation and the Northern Ireland Civil Service Code of Ethics. Understand all of the organisations regulatory functions and have an understanding of the policy and strategic objectives and how significant issues could impact on these, particularly in relation to legal affairs. Provision of high quality, accurate, timely, clear and helpful legal advice on a wide range of issues affecting the organisation. Assist the Head of Legal Affairs and the Chief Executive in the development of the organisations legal services strategy. Provide timely and effective legal advice on all aspects of regulatory law, competition law, public and administrative law, energy law, water and sewerage law and licensing regimes. Draft licences, licence modifications, legal letters, etc. Provide timely and understandable legal advice, highlighting any significant legal risks. Manage your own caseload and work collaboratively with others on larger matters. Liaise with legal teams, advisers of stakeholders and other government departments and regulators as appropriate. Undertake aspects of work to support the legal work of the organisation which include carrying out legal research, coordinating and updating knowledge management systems and drafting legal documentation. Interpret existing and proposed legislation and advising how best to implement such changes. Assist the Compliance and Enforcement Team as required. Liaise with government departments and external stakeholders on legal issues affecting the organisation with regards to on-going legal matters. Assist in managing relationships with legal panel firms and legal counsel as required, and where work is outsourced, ensure the provision of high quality and cost effective legal advice. Assist the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, Head of Legal Affairs and other colleagues in ensuring first class legal advice to support delivery of the Corporate Strategy and Business Plan. Support the successful delivery of the organisations and Legal Affairs Teams outputs. Establish excellent working relations with key internal and external stakeholders. Provide advice and support to the Chief Executive, Board Chair, Executive Directors and Head of the Private Office on legal issues. Resolve conflicts proactively and effectively to obtain a satisfactory resolution/outcome. Establish and achieve a performance-driven culture, in line with corporate vision and values. Develop and embed a customer focused culture. Create and maintain a positive organisational culture that promotes values and inspires guides and develops staff. Key responsibilities Your main responsibilities are set out below. To support the Chief Executive, Board and Senior Leadership Team of the organisation. To provide robust and accurate legal advice, guidance and assurance to the Chief Executive, Board, Head of Legal Affairs and other colleagues on all relevant matters in relation to functions and responsibilities of the organisation. To assist the Head of Legal Affairs in the delivery of high-level innovative solutions to complex legal problems and new legal challenges that arise on a range of diverse subjects, taking into account the resulting impacts on the organisation. To engage with and work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders and undertake continuing professional development to ensure that the legal services are robust, accurate and up to date. To act proactively, using initiative and to implement interventions to protect the organisation where necessary and appropriate, thereby protecting the legal position of and enhancing the organisations reputation. To review relevant legal policies and suggest and monitor the implementation of change which arises therefrom. To ensure compliance with all statutory and legislative requirements by adhering to these requirements and working in accordance with good governance and health and safety requirements. Ensure that all responsibilities are carried out in a timely and effective manner and that general confidentiality is maintained in all areas relating to the work of the organisation. To assist the Compliance and Enforcement Team as required. To provide inclusive team leadership by supporting and developing team members and demonstrating commitment to organisations values. To provide the effective management of the Legal Affairs Team in supporting the Chief Executive and Board. Line management responsibility for team members. To be an able and accessible mentor and manager to colleagues within your team, committed to developing a talented cohort of staff, embedding the highest level of capabilities and expectations, and fostering a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all. To assist in strengthening the profile, reputation and relevancy of the organisation to staff, consumers, stakeholders and industry. To promote a culture of openness, inclusiveness and transparency across all aspects of the organisations operational activity and service delivery. This list is not exhaustive and will change over time according to organisational need. The postholder will be required to carry out other duties as allocated by management. The organisations statutory remit and organisational structure are continuing to evolve. It is therefore quite possible that the scope of the advertised role will evolve with consequential changes to the job description. What youll Need To Succeed As the Senior Legal Advisor you will fulfil the below criteria; Essential criteria Be a qualified solicitor or barrister, qualified to practice in NI or England and Wales with post qualification experience. You must hold a valid practicing certificate issued by the appropriate regulatory authority or will hold one at the date of appointment. Possess at least five years post qualification experience gained working in energy/regulatory law; and/or public/administrative law. Equivalent experience in adjacent legal fields with demonstrable relevance to the role will also be considered. Proven experience of analysing complex legal issues and providing clear and concise advice and solutions that resolve business problems at a senior level*. Proven experience of managing significant workloads with limited resources and delivering outputs in line with client/customer expectations and deadlines. Proven experience of building and maintaining productive communication networks with colleagues and stakeholder organisations. Proven experience in the successful management of a panel of external legal consultants and the ability to manage** internal staff. Ability to positively demonstrate by example, an understanding of and commitment to further workplace values that align to those of the organisation. Note: Republic of Ireland or other common law jurisdictions may be considered. An overseas qualification is only acceptable if it is fully comparable and equivalent to the United Kingdom counterpart. You will be required to present original certificates/documentation if you are invited to the next stage of the selection process. *Senior level is defined as reporting to or advising Board or senior managers. **This may be demonstrated by experience of direct line management or via a mentoring or guiding role for other legal team members. Desirable criteria Knowledge or experience of European Union Law. Knowledge or experience of commercial law. What You'll Receive In Return Permanent, full-time. Flexible working arrangements will be considered. 37 hours per week. £65,205 to £78,166 per annum Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) pension arrangements. 25 days per annum (rising to 30 days after two years), and an additional 12 public and privilege days. Applying For Your New Role Does this position sound of interest? Please submit your CV confidentially and we will be in touch shortly to discuss the opportunity in further detail. Or, if you prefer to chat about the role confidentially before submitting a CV, please get in touch via the contact details provided. Skills: Legal Advisor In House Lawyer Senior In House Lawyer Senior Legal Advisor Benefits: Competitive Salary Generous Annual Leave Civil Service Pension Flexible Working Arrangements