Led by the General Counsel, this Directorate has full responsibility and accountability for the NSTA’s legal advice, governance and project support to respond to the priorities of the organisation.
The Legal Directorate works collaboratively and flexibly, taking a colleague and solutions focussed approach.
About the team
We are an ‘operations-focussed’ team, working incredibly closely with the operational teams in the NSTA including in the Operations, New Ventures and Supply Chain and Decommissioning directorates - all at the heart of the energy transition - guiding and supporting across all aspects of their work.
We are at the heart of decision-making, an integral part of collaborative projects and a trusted partner. The Legal Manager and her team provide a flexible resource, with opportunities to gain experience with all our client teams.
Brief Overview of Role
Are you a UK-qualified lawyer with an interest in the energy transition?
We are looking to recruit a Legal Adviser, reporting to the Legal Manager, to join our experienced and energised Legal Directorate to provide legal advice and support on all aspects of the NSTA’s activities.
Specific areas of responsibility for this role will evolve to respond to the priorities of the organisation, and we are looking for a candidate with an ability to assimilate new areas of law quickly, adapt to evolving legal landscapes and produce sound analysis at pace.
You may have worked in an energy company - or they may have been a client if you’ve worked in private practice - or you may have worked in an emerging technologies (carbon storage, hydrogen) environment, but if you know the energy licensing landscape and are looking for a great place to work then this is a great opportunity to be involved in guiding the NSTA through changing times for the energy industry, from the transition for the oil and gas industry to the development of offshore carbon and hydrogen storage industries.
You must be qualified to practise as a solicitor or advocate/barrister in Scotland and/or England & Wales.
Detailed job description and key responsibilities
We recognise that you may have limited experience in all the new and exciting areas of the energy transition, but the Directorate, with its years of experience is on hand to support with development in this area.
Working closely with the senior lawyers in particular and with the operational, regulatory and policy teams within the NSTA, the successful candidate will be responsible for:
* Assisting in providing advice on matters such as carbon storage and hydrogen licensing, oil and gas licensing and operational consenting, on a “lifecycle” basis, and compliance matters.
* Assisting in the development and implementation of projects, guidelines and operational procedures.
* Providing detailed advice and guidance on specific matters, providing options, based on a sound understanding of the matter. You will be able to clearly and effectively communicate the reasons for your advice and positively influence colleagues where required.
* Drafting/reviewing regulatory documents including licence documentation, consents and other authorisations.
* Responding directly to queries from internal stakeholders.
* Providing colleague focussed information on new legislation and other legal developments affecting their work and the NSTA’s regulatory powers.
* Providing clear advice on legal risk.
* Participating in regular engagement meetings with key stakeholders across the NSTA.
Career Support and Learning and Development are key elements of the NSTA’s Great Place to Work Model which underpins staff engagement. Training and coaching will be provided to support successful delivery in the role.
Person specification
Competence 1: Leading and Communicating
* Focused drafting and clear communication skills; and a collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
Competence 2: Delivery
* Flexibility and a proactive approach to deal with multiple expectations; and
* Able to provide quick, confident and authoritative legal advice to colleagues within the NSTA.
Competence 3: Strategic and Commercial Thinking
* Being sensitive to the broader political and commercial aspects of the move to net zero, including in the upstream oil and gas regulatory regime; and
* The ability to think strategically about how legal services can support the priorities of the NSTA.
Competence 4: Decision Making and Judgement
* Excellent analytical and handling skills; and
* Strong attention to detail.
Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language
* The postholder must be a qualified solicitor or advocate/barrister (Scotland and/or England & Wales).
* Post qualification work experience as a solicitor or barrister/advocate.
* Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to provide and communicate authoritative, high-quality advice on complex legal matters, often within tight timescales.
* Ability to look at problems with a pragmatic, political and commercial, as well as a legally robust, perspective.
* Have the confidence and initiative to find workable solutions to operational and policy challenges.
* Collaborative approach with multi-disciplinary functions to deliver successful outcomes on cases.
* Attention to detail with focus on deadlines and delivery.
* Positive and supportive attitude.
* Relevant experience working in a business or commercial role within the oil and gas or wider energy industry or for another regulator.
* Knowledge of energy regulation, or regulation in another industry.
* Knowledge of the energy industry’s operation of joint ventures and general commercial agreements.
* Experience of civil procedure and appeals process.
* A working understanding of the legislative framework governing the NSTA.
Salary: £75,436
Appointment Type: Fixed Term
Appointment Term: Full time
Vacancy Reference Number: NSTA 443
No. of posts: 1
Grade: G7
Location: Aberdeen or London
Travel to other location within the UK?: Occasional
Level of Security Clearance: Basic
Medical Required?: No
Unless otherwise stated consideration will be given to requests to work on a part-time or job share basis. Flexible working hours can also be considered.
Closing date for applications: 06 April 2025
I am a UK national, EU national covered by current EU settlement regulations, or hold a valid visa and work permit to enable me to reside and work within the United Kingdom. For more information on right to work please visit Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Please note that the NSTA do not have the license to sponsor visas. All applicants must hold the existing right to work to work in the UK. Most roles require Baseline Personnel Security Standard clearance, but some roles also require National Security Vetting. Where this is the case I consent to completing the process and its requirements as set out by UK Security Vetting (please note the job profile will detail the current level of clearance required).
Completed applications will only be accepted via the online application process below, however, if you do require the application form in a different format please contact us at Recruitment@nstauthority.co.uk quoting the recruitment reference number and job title.
You should provide examples in your covering letter that best demonstrate your skills and abilities against the competencies and specialist skills. The maximum word count against each competence example is 2,000 characters. The information you provide will be assessed during the short listing stage and if you are invited to attend an interview, the indicated competence areas will be discussed further.
When completing your application, you should use the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action and Result) methodology for each competence. All appointments are subject to successful completion of pre-employment checks.
The NSTA is committed to embedding equality and diversity into all our policies and processes. We will aim to recruit, retain and promote staff on the basis of competence and regardless of characteristics including those listed under the Equality Act 2010. These protected characteristics are; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.
The NSTA is an accredited Disability Confident Committed employer. We have also been awarded silver accreditation for the Gender Diversity Benchmark through Business in the Community, The Prince’s Responsible Business Network. In addition, we are signed up to their Race at Work Charter and implement its five principles. As a further commitment to attracting, retaining and developing a diverse workforce we have signed up to the Axis Pledge.
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