The Legal and Access to Information team enables Natural England to deliver its work lawfully, confidently and transparently. It provides pragmatic legal advice, manages litigation, and helps mitigate legal, reputational and data protection risk across the organisation.
The team also upholds access to information and data protection rights, ensuring FOI, EIR and UK GDPR obligations are met accurately and on time.
Job description
The Role
Assist the Legal Services team to manage and respond to legal queries including high quality legal research so that it can contribute to delivering Natural Englands Strategy, Recovering Nature for Growth Health and Security.
This will include support on wide-ranging high profile matters, such as advice on delivery of strategic solutions, reform projects, and supporting with species licensing. One of the key immediate focuses of this role will be supporting more senior members of the team to provide Natural England with legal, strategic and contractual advice relating to the implementation and delivery of the Planning and Infrastructure Act and supporting their advice on transferring Natural Englands strategic schemes into the Nature Restoration Fund. This role will be expected to have close links with other major projects such as Landscape Recovery and BNG to enable knowledge to be shared effectively. As this work becomes business as usual, this role may expand and/or change to reflect priorities of Natural England and the Legal and Access to Information team.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
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Objectively analyse complex issues and distil this into concise, practical briefings and summaries.
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Carry out high quality research for the Legal and Access to Information team on legislation, policy and guidance affecting Natural England and share the learning with staff.
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Manage the Legal Services mailbox and assist with covering the Access to Information mailbox and supporting the team in dealing with requests for legal advice and information.
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Provide support on litigation, enforcement, appeals, enquiries, and other contentious work areas.
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Draft and amend simple legal agreements and other documents using proforma documents and instructions.
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Provide advice to staff on various legal matters under the direction of solicitors.
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Assist with instructing Counsel and/or other legal providers as appropriate.
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Provide administrative support for the team (preparing bundles, information packs, deeds, minutes, training materials, finance and billing).
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Lead on filing for the team using Natural Englands electronic document management system.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
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A law degree or post graduate qualification in law, ideally with an environmental or public law focus.
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A strong academic background, which could be demonstrated by qualifications from a range of organisations.
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Demonstrated working knowledge of environmental law or public law principles.
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Six months to one years experience working in a legal team dealing with issues related to environmental or public law and policy.
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Good written and oral communication skills.
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Well organised and able to work to short deadlines.
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Self-motivated, pro-active and like solving problems.
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Work under pressure with common sense and attention to detail.
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Be able to work with minimum supervision.
Competencies
Competence 1
Professional competency
Detail
Personal Effectiveness
Description
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Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience. (Basic)
Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgment and evidence. (Practitioner)
Assess the impact and effectiveness of communication; review achievement of objectives; identify lessons learnt and share feedback. (Practitioner)
Competence 2
Professional competency
Detail
Work Delivery
Description
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Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures. (Practitioner)
Able to manage all disputes, litigation and inquiries whether in criminal or civil courts, tribunal or any other forum where Natural England's statutory remit is challenged. (Practitioner)
Competence 3
Professional competency
Detail
Putting People at the Heard of the Environment
Description
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Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England. (Practitioner)
Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural Englands vision, mission and aims. (Practitioner)
Understand and explain the outcomes that we seek in your local area and how these fit with local and national issues. (Basic)
Competence 4
Professional competency
Detail
Technical skills and knowledge
Description
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Have a law degree or postgraduate qualifications in law, ideally with an environmental, contentious/ litigation or public law focus. (Essential)
Have a strong academic background, which could be demonstrated by qualifications from a range of organisations. (Essential)
Have demonstrated working knowledge of environmental law, contentious/ litigation or public law principles. (Essential)
Have six months to one years experience working in a legal team dealing with issues related to environmental, contentious/ litigation or public law and policy. (Essential)
Be self-motivated, proactive and like solving problems. (Essential)
