Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location London About the job Job summary The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes: Developing and drafting legislation Providing legal advice on policies Securing our economic and trade relationships Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds Providing the Civil Services employment law advice We are at the heart of delivering the Governments priorities and our success depends on our people. GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver. GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery. Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for 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 visit the Government Legal Departments webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in. Job description About Department for Transport Legal Advisers DfT Legal Advisers is the in-house legal team for the Department for Transport (DfT) and it sits within the GLD. Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and even space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. Its how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. DfT works with its agencies and partners to support the transport network. DfT plans and invests in transport infrastructure. We play a key role in giving effect to the UKs international transport obligations. Many of our lawyers are involved in international negotiations and some undertake international travel. Much of the other work splits between public and regulatory law across all transport modes, major infrastructure project work and commercial work. We have a significant programme of bill work. We have one of the largest statutory instrument drafting programmes in government. We have 12 teams and over 160 people and have an exceptionally wide range of legal practice. The Maritime Team has 16 lawyers and sits within DfTLA, providing support to the Departments Maritime Directorate, Aviation and Maritime Security Directorate and to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency based in Southampton. The Teams portfolio offers a broad exposure to public law, international maritime security law and other domestic law, and involves close liaison with legal, policy and operational colleagues, as well as engagement with other Whitehall Departments and GLD Litigation. Maritime is a global industry and is regulated by the International Maritime Organization and by the International Labour Organization. The Team supports the work of the Department, in particular the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the UKs Permanent Representative to the IMO through briefings and attendance at relevant IMO sessions. The Teams work offers a broad exposure to public law, international law, competition law and other domestic law, and involves close liaison with legal, policy and operational colleagues, as well as engagement with other Whitehall Departments and GLD Litigation. The Team has responsibility for several high-profile matters, handling regular queries and plans for legislative reform, including Bill provisions relating to seafarers welfare, a key Departmental objective. It is developing a legal framework in relation to autonomous ships, providing legal advice in relation to de-carbonisation of ships and ports, advises on small boats and supports GLD Litigation and DfTc on the Cranston Inquiry. About the Role The Role In addition to legal advice and legislation drafting on wider maritime matters, you will be required to lead on maritime security matters within the Team. This will involve giving expert advice (including on policy, legislation and governance) on maritime security matters, including international maritime law issues affecting the safety and security of UK vessels outside UK waters and ports; advice and interpretation of legislation in the area of security and commercial shipping and supporting GLD Litigation and DfTc on the Cranston Inquiry. In particular, you will be responsible for the following areas: Domestic and international maritime security regulation Advising on regular queries, and longer-term plans and guidance in relation to port and ship security plans and International Ship and Port Facility Security Plans. Drafting and advising on maritime security treaties. Clearing submissions. Advising on cross-government governance. Advising on domestic and international security regulation. Providing legal support to GLD litigation colleagues and DfT policy colleagues in relation to the Cranston Inquiry. Supporting overseas territories in implementation of international maritime security legislation. Maritime regulation The Team has a significant portfolio of secondary legislation for both the central department and the MCA. The postholder will be expected to draft statutory instruments from time to time, although prior experience of SI drafting is not necessary; relevant training can be provided. The IMO has a steady flow of convention amendments, much of which is implemented via secondary legislation, developing drafting skills is an essential part of understanding the nature and extent of international maritime legislation. DfT policy and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency The postholder will provide legal advice and support the development of policy within DfT. The MCA is an executive agency of DfT and has technical experts who play a key role in international convention implementation and enforcement. The Team regularly visits MCA colleagues in Southampton The postholder will help maintain and manage effective working relationships with the MCA. Workstreams generally include public law advice; operational advice and generally supporting colleagues to meet policy objectives in a timely and efficient manner. The team supports the work of the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention as well as the Receiver of Wreck in the discharge of his statutory responsibilities. The team does not advise the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The post holder will be expected to work closely and build effective working relationships with other legal teams in the Directorate, as well as with other lawyers in Whitehall on cross-cutting legal issues. This role will include line management. Please note, the Job Location is London, and the usual expectation is that the candidate attends the office for 60% of the time and/ or in accordance with the GLDs Hybrid Working Policy. However, as the role includes security matters, the candidate may on occasion be specifically required to attend the London office in person, and up to 5 days per week dependent on business need. Person specification Behaviours Below are details of the Success Profiles that make up this role. You will be expected to provide evidence to show how you meet the criteria at interview and selection stage. We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership (Lead behaviour) Managing a quality service Working together Experience Excellent all-round public law skills and experience of giving fast paced advice in a political environment. Experience of advising on international safety and security-related obligations. Technical Legal professional skills. Reliable legal judgement and appreciation of risk. The ability to think strategically and creatively, see legal issues in their wider context and advise accordingly. Provide sound direction to other lawyers. Bring wider legal experience and knowledge to bear. Communicate advice on complex issues effectively, both in writing and orally. Security Clearance Candidates can start at Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). If successful you must be willing to obtain security clearance to DV level. For further information about Civil Service recruitment processes and Success profiles, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles Qualifications Qualifications Academic and Professional Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree in their first degree (in any subject). Where an applicant holds an overseas degree qualification this should be equivalent to a 2.1 degree. GLD will consider applicants who do not have a 2.1 degree but only where satisfactory evidence of equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement can be provided (e.g. via relevant experience and results achieved for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE, Legal Practice Course (LPC), Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)). Applicants must be qualified to practise as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales however, we also accept applications from overseas qualified candidates. You must have completed a training contract/pupillage/qualifying employment or have been exempted from this by the Law Society, the Bar Council or CILEx. Please note that candidates cannot apply more than 3 months before their qualification date. Professional entry criteria for Chartered Legal Executives (i.e. Fellows): Chartered Legal Executives are eligible to apply where (i) a Qualifying Law Degree (QLD) is held; or (ii) the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/CPE has been completed; or (iii) where exams have been passed (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6, in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law: 1. Contract Law 2. Criminal Law 3. Equity and Trusts Law 4. European Union Law 5. Land Law 6. Public Law 7. Law of Tort Note: There are specific requirements relating to academic achievement in the CILEx Level 6 exams where these are being used to demonstrate 2.1 degree equivalence as set out below. Chartered Legal Executives should note that GLD will be willing to accept an, overall, average score of 65% or above across exams passed in the seven foundation subjects in law (where studied at CILEx Level 6) as demonstrating 2.1 degree equivalence (where a 2.1 degree is not held). Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Managing a Quality Service Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: You should have a minimum 2.1 degree in any subject. If you do not hold a 2.1 degree, this department may consider your application where you can demonstrate equivalent high level academic and/or professional achievement. Lawyers qualified outside of England and Wales will be required to provide further information. Detailed guidance is given when completing the application. Benefits Alongside your salary of £74,000, Government Legal Department contributes £21,437 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. The Recruitment Process Application To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the advertisement listed for this role. This should be completed no later than Monday 16th December 2024 at 12:00 noon. During the application stage you will be assessed against the skills and experience outlined below and you will be asked to: provide an online CV required setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years, as part of the online application form. The CV will be scored and assessed on Experience. Provide a statement of suitability of no more than 250 words, outlining how you meet Technical skills, under person specification/essential criteria. Provide examples in no more than 250 words for each behaviour listed against the essential criteria: Leadership (Lead Behaviour) Managing a quality service Working Together Selection Process After the closing date, the appointing panel shall assess candidates suitability for the role based on evidence provided in their application against the behaviours, experience and Technical skills outlined in the person specification. Please note, if a high number of applications are received, we will sift on the Lead Behaviour Leadership alone. Interview Should you be successful in being invited to interview, you will be assessed on your performance in all essential criteria as listed in the Person Specification, alongside strength-based questions. Leadership (Lead Behaviour) Managing a quality service Working together As part of this interview candidates will be required to deliver a short 5-minute presentation, covering Leadership (Lead Behaviour), Managing a quality service and Working together. The title of the presentation will be confirmed at the time of notification of being shortlisted to interview. Please note, Candidates may be asked follow up questions in relation to their presentation at interview. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview. Interviews will probably take place remotely via video conference, full details of the interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview. The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible thereafter. Offer Regardless of the outcome, we will notify all candidates as soon as possible after the final interview. We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list for up to 12 months. We then may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise. 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. 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. 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 : govqualifiedtmpw.co.uk Email : govqualifiedtmpw.co.uk Recruitment team Email : govqualifiedtmpw.co.uk Attachments G6 Senior Lawyer Maritime Directorate DFTLA Opens in new window (pdf, 468kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail