Principal Lawyer (Northern Ireland)

The legal team provides legal support to all aspects of the OEP's work. We work in a flexible way, with lawyers acting across the full range of the OEP's functions. Each of our lawyers can therefore expect opportunities to work on: 

• Delivering legal advice, research and analysis in connection with the implementation of environmental laws, including Northern Ireland environmental laws
• Preparing advice to government on proposed changes to environmental law and other matters.
• Producing reports for Parliament/the Assembly on the implementation of environmental law.
• Supporting our complaints team to receive in and analyse allegations of public authority failures to comply with environmental law.
• Undertaking investigations casework, where necessary, through to enforcement action via judicial review or our bespoke litigation process (environmental review), and supporting colleagues across the OEP's other business activities, such as on corporate and governance issues.

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

• Qualified to practice as a solicitor or barrister in Northern Ireland.

Alongside your salary of £54,470, Office for Environmental Protection contributes £15,779 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.

Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.

The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.

Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees.

Current initiatives include: 

• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
• Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
• Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
• Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.

All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.