The Role and Our Team

Hays are delighted to be partnering with the Office for Product Safety Standards (OPSS) to recruit multiple key roles within their highly regarded legal team x1 Data lawyer and x2 Regulatory Lawyers. This is a fantastic opportunity for experienced lawyers who are looking to work for a national regulator and join a friendly, inclusive and diverse in-house legal team. They have offices in Birmingham, London and Teddington and these roles can be based at any of these locations.

The opportunity:

You will work closely with teams across the OPSS to provide pragmatic, solution focussed and high-quality legal advice. The scope of the role, reflecting the breadth of OPSS s functions, is broad. We do not expect applicants to have existing expertise in all areas of OPSS s work, but you must be willing to advise on a wide range of matters including our data transformation programme, development of policy, enforcement across a range of civil and criminal legislation, and statutory decision-making. In doing so, you will liaise with both the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and other government departments legal advisors (GLD) as well as other regulators and commercial entities as appropriate.

Key Responsibilities:

You will have responsibility for a stimulating, wide-ranging portfolio of work which includes:

Advising on compliance with relevant laws in respect of data sharing, data handling and data security, advising on data protection and FOI issues. (Data role)Providing timely and high-quality legal advice to colleagues on a wide range of issues, both in respect of discrete requests for legal assistance and on more significant matters. Managing, with appropriate supervision, your own caseload and working collaboratively with others on larger matters. Providing strategic legal advice when OPSS is considering, or has committed to, taking on new regulatory functions on behalf of other government departments. Understanding policy perspectives and confidently presenting delivery solutions. Highlight to senior colleagues any significant legal risks, particularly in your practice areas, on a timely basis. Liaising with legal teams/advisers of stakeholders and other government departments/regulators as appropriate. Contributing to the learning and development of the OPSS Legal Advice and Practice team, as well as to OPSS more broadly. What you will need to succeed:

Skills & Experience

We are interested in hearing from applicants who feel that they can demonstrate the following attributes:

An ability to assimilate complex information and provide pragmatic, delivery-focused advice on the back of it, underpinned by well-reasoned analysis. An aptitude for problem-solving in a way that takes account of the bigger picture , particularly where there are uncertainties at play. A trusted advisor and advocate, able to listen and understand needs through open, structured and productive conversations. Capable of exercising sound judgement, even when balancing conflicting pressures and interests. Excellent communication skills with the ability to express sophisticated concepts clearly and concisely and to influence colleagues. An ability to work at pace, recognising the need to prioritise or to adopt a flexible approach when appropriate. The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with a range of colleagues at all levels across a number of organisations. What you'll get in return

Alongside your salary of GBP57,026 (London) GBP53,560 (National), you will also be entitled to the below benefits:

Career development - Learning and development opportunities An environment with flexible working options25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30A Civil Service pension with employer contributions of at least 20% of your salary Selection process

A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide an employment history that relates to the essential criteria.

A Personal Statement of 500 words explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience to provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria below:

Essential criteria:

Applicants must be qualified to practice as a Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive in England and Wales. 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. A sound knowledge of public law principles. Experience of advising on data protection and security, information law, FOI and / or data governance (data lawyer vacancy) Desirable criteria:

Experience of working within the regulatory sector and advising on regulatory law Experience of advising on data protection and security, information law, FOI and / or data governance (regulatory lawyer vacancies) Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews as an exception.

Interviews will take place week commencing 5th February 2024

Hays has been retained by OPSS to manage the recruitment for this role. For all enquiries, please contact Sophie Scott