In-House Solicitor (Maternity cover)

Job Description

Job summary

 

ESS was established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 and gained its statutory functions and powers on 1 October 2021.

 

The remit of ESS covers a broad range of environmental law, including all aspects of environmental protection and harm, particularly in relation to human beings and their enjoyment of the environment.

 

ESS’ role is to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing some of the functions and oversight previously provided by EU institutions following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. ESS does this through scrutinising, investigating and securing improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.

 

ESS has published a Strategic Plan, which sets out how it operates and functions, including how it will act objectively, impartially, proportionately and transparently. As an independent body, ESS is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the effective performance of its functions.

 

This post sits within ESS’ Corporate Services and Communications Team and provides support to all levels of the organisation including the CEO and Board.

 

Job description

The focus of this post is to provide legal advice and support at all levels of the organisation.

 

Key duties and responsibilities will include:

• providing legal advice to all areas of the organisation (investigations, analytical, corporate services, the Chief Executive, Board and internal Committees) on a broad range of matters, which may include environmental and regulatory law, public law, corporate governance and information law
• assessing lawfulness and legal risk, making recommendations to mitigate and manage legal risk as part of providing legal advice
• identifying where external legal advice is required, managing the delivery of any externally commissioned legal services and managing partnerships with our contracted legal service providers
• building a comprehensive understanding of the legal, strategic and policy landscape within which ESS operates to see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly
• utilising relevant legal experience and research skills to analyse, understand and interpret environmental legislation and case law alongside technical and scientific information
• engaging with colleagues and stakeholders, to develop strong team and collaborative working relationships, which deliver excellent outcomes
• monitoring updates and changes to law within Scotland, across the rest of the UK, the EU and internationally, to ensure that ESS is well-informed about legal changes of relevance to the organisation
• drafting and reviewing legal processes and guidance as required
• developing and delivering internal training and knowledge building in relevant legal topics
• representing ESS at external fora, such as meetings, legal conferences and stakeholder events to promote and explain the role of ESS as a trusted and effective oversight body

 

The post is full time based on 35 hours per week with flexible working hours. Applications from those wishing to apply for any working pattern, or flexible working arrangements are welcome. Applications from candidates interested in putting in place a secondment or loan agreement with their current employer (public or private sector) would also be considered.

 

Person specification

Essential Criteria

1. Experience within an environmental, regulatory or public law context.
2. A track record of working independently and proactively, given this is currently the only full-time dedicated legal post within ESS (additional support is available, as required, from external solicitors and a legal support role sitting within the investigations team is currently being recruited).
3. Proven experience of exercising reliable legal judgement and appreciation of legal risks, with the ability to analyse and advise on complex and novel legal issues, and the confidence to advise senior management.
4. Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to present findings of analysis in a clear and compelling manner to technical and non-technical audiences, and defend decisions, based on evidence.
5. Significant planning and organisational skills to manage and balance a full and fast-paced case load.

 

Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate currently practicing as a solicitor, or with experience of practicing as a solicitor, in Scotland.

The following knowledge, membership and qualifications are essential to this post and will be tested at sift and interview:

• a minimum of three years post-qualification experience within an environmental, regulatory or public law context
• must hold a valid practicing certificate or equivalent, or have the ability to obtain one

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

 

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

 

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,701, Environmental Standards Scotland contributes £16,715 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

 

• A strong commitment to investing in your personal and professional development
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

 

ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, that can work as part of a multidisciplinary team.

 

In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland.

 

We are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and we particularly encourage applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. The post allows flexible working and is open to full time or, by agreement, other working patterns including part-time, job-shares or compressed hours.

 

Things you need to know

 

Selection process details

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

This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability, your CV and behaviour statements.

 

If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.

 

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

 

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

 

The behaviours required for this role are shown below. You will be assessed against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

 

Sift

After the closing date, your application will be reviewed and marked.

If we receive a large number of applications, an initial sift will be completed on the lead behaviours, making effective decisions and communicating and influencing.

Once the sift has been completed, applicants will be notified of the outcome. Please note that feedback will not be given to applicants at sift stage.

 

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed on the behaviours outlined in the advert. Prior to interview or at interview, you will be required to complete an additional exercise or deliver a presentation. Details on this will be sent alongside your invite to interview.

Interviews will be held in person at our Thistle House Offices, Edinburgh

 

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 an interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. ESS 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.

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).

 

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

 

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

 

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: Alasdair Dewar, Business Manager
• Email: Alasdair.dewar@environmentalstandards.scot

Recruitment team

• Email: enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot