Your New Company Were delighted to be representing a prominent public body conducting a market search for a Legal Advisor to join their growing In-House legal team in Belfast, on a full time permanent basis. Closing date for applications Closing date: 2.00pm, Monday 4 August 2025 Your New Role As the Legal Advisor, you will be working within the Chief Executive Office, and will be expected to provide clear, concise and timely legal advice in response to requests for advice on matters relating to any aspect of the organisations extensive statutory remit. This will involve the provision of advice and assistance in fields of public law, competition law, company law, energy law, water law, environmental law and dispute resolution. The post will involve occasional travel within the UK and EU Member States. The role itself will also involve some stimulating policy work in areas with a quasilegal content: sustainability and environmental issues, financial penalties and enforcement, competition issues, freedom of information and data protection issues, complaints, disputes and appeals processes. The role will also carry more routine legal administration responsibilities to be carried out by the successful candidate on behalf of the Legal Affairs Department. For example, you will also be involved in managing and working with the organisations external legal panel. Key responsibilities Your main responsibilities are set out below. Provide input to the forward work planning and activities of the Legal Affairs Department. Assist the Head of Legal in reviewing the Legal Affairs Department strategy. Assist the Head of Legal in providing expert legal advice as required on areas of strategic importance to the organisation. Assist in providing timely and effective legal advice on all aspects of regulatory law, competition law, public and administrative law, energy law and licensing regimes. Draft licence modifications, legal letters, legislative interpretation advices and providing verbal briefings as and when required on a wide range of areas of law. Take instruction from the Head of Legal as to the co-ordination of external legal advice with the Legal Framework Panel of Advisors. Development of organisational expertise in concurrency and competition law fields, including advising the organisation on its effective performance of its National Competition Authority role (which will involve occasional travel to London and Brussels). Support the Legal Affairs Department and to identify, report and suggest solutions to legal risks. Assist the Legal Affairs Department with any litigation cases brought before the NI and/or RoI courts. Assist with the organisations enforcement role and advising on its powers and duties. To provide legal support on specific projects such as the Single Electricity Market. Provide advice to those dealing with Regulatory Appeals, Complaints and Disputes. Assist in the co-ordination and response to Freedom of Information requests and other policy matters. Assist the organisation to develop the standing and reputation of the Legal Affairs Department as a centre of excellence both within the organisation and with stakeholders. Assist in the training and development of organisation staff as appropriate. Assist in the adherence to the expenditure of the Legal Affairs Department budget and the Legal Framework Panel budget as appropriate. As required, contribute to the evaluation and cost appraisals (including value for money) for legal resources, training schemes and related items. Assist the Legal Affairs Department in ensuring a consistent approach from a legal perspective in relation to internal policies and procedures. Assist the Legal Affairs Department to develop the standing and reputation of a centre of excellence with respect to Northern Ireland utility law (both within the Utility Regulator and with service providers, external agencies, etc.). Maintain a good understanding of the principles and practices within the organisation and the utilities industry. Demonstrate responsibility for your own health and safety and that of those with whom you work. Contribute to an environment where health and safety is promoted and responsibility taken for resolving any issues within the Legal Affairs Department (e.g. in relation to stress management). Input to the Chief Executive Office's Risk Register as required. Contribute to the identification of legal risks and strategic risks for the Chief Executive Office and wider organisation. Respond to external queries and consultations as appropriate. To contribute to the promotion of equality of opportunity within the organisation and in the performance of your duties. To contribute to the Legal Affairs Department's equality screening duties where appropriate and in line with Section 75 duties. This list is not exhaustive and will change over time according to organisational need. The postholder will be required to carry out other duties as allocated by management. What youll Need To Succeed As the Legal Advisor you will fulfil the below criteria; Essential Criteria A qualified solicitor or barrister, qualified to practice in NI or England and Wales with post qualification experience. The individual must hold a valid practicing certificate issued by the appropriate regulatory authority or will hold one at the date of appointment. Proven experience gained working in energy/regulatory law; and/or public/administrative law. Equivalent experience in adjacent legal fields with demonstrable relevance to the role will also be considered. Proven ability to analyse complex legal issues and provide clear and concise advice and solutions that resolve business problems. Note: Republic of Ireland or other common law jurisdictions may be considered. An overseas qualification is only acceptable if it is fully comparable and equivalent to the United Kingdom counterpart. You will be required to present original certificates/documentation if you are invited to the next stage of the selection process. In the event of a large number of applicants, the following desirable criteria will be used as further shortlisting criteria. This criterion should be demonstrated on an application form and may be tested further at the interview stages. Desirable Criteria Three years post qualification experience in a relevant legal area. Knowledge or experience of European Union law or commercial law. What You'll Receive In Return Permanent, full-time. Flexible working arrangements will be considered. 37 hours per week. £45,478 to £56,846 per annum Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) pension arrangements. 25 days per annum (rising to 30 days after two years), and an additional 12 public and privilege days. Applying For Your New Role Does this position sound of interest? Please submit your CV confidentially and we will be in touch shortly to discuss the opportunity in further detail. Or, if you prefer to chat about the role confidentially before submitting a CV, please get in touch via the contact details provided. Skills: Legal Advisor In House Lawyer Solicitor Barrister Benefits: Competitive Salary Excellent Pension Hybrid Working