Senior paralegal (SC Clearance)

The role involves working to deliver Government Legal Department’s (GLD) service to clients, with a degree of autonomy, supervised by a qualified lawyer, including preparing legal documents, case management, undertaking legal research, supporting project management and leading knowledge management.

Main activities may include:

• supporting the division’s advisory and litigation functions, which includes providing legal research and first line review in responding to queries and instructions from clients;
• performing legal research, analysis and drafting on a range of areas including international trade and investment law matters, as well as tasks related to bills and secondary legislation;
• line management responsibilities dependent on the division that you're allocated;
• advising on all legal aspects of data processing, data protection and data privacy matters;
• providing an analysis of the research and recommendations as part of the case strategy;
• using legal knowledge to carry out legal research, utilising research to plan approach and strategy for cases;
• providing an analysis of the research as part of the case strategy;
• providing organisational support to legal teams; and
• assisting in the delivery of corporate objectives and improving the inclusivity, wellbeing and working environment for colleagues in the division.

This list isn't exhaustive; the role may involve additional duties according to business need. The specific work tasks of the role are likely to vary depending on which legal team the post-holder is allocated to.

The post-holder should be able to work independently but also have the interpersonal skills to work as part of a team and to interact with departmental/cross divisional colleagues, and other stakeholders. They'll support the team in new ways of working and work closely with senior and junior lawyers to maximise performance.

Behaviours

​Below are details of the success profiles that make up this role. Demonstrating all the behaviours listed below is essential at either application or interview. You can read more about success profiles and how they are used as an assessment method before completing your application. We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process, which are

• making effective decisions (lead behaviour); 
• working together; and
• delivering at pace.

Key skills and experience

There are several essential skills needed, which must be demonstrated at application and interview. Candiates must have:

• a strong knowledge of the legal issues and context in which GLD operates;
• the ability to deliver successfully in a pressurised environment;
• the ability to work independently or as part of an effective team on adhoc tasks and projects;
• the ability to stay highly organised with good time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple demands and prioritise workloads;
• the ability to communicate with senior stakeholders within the business and external clients, being able to justify the reasons behind a decision; and
• the ability to critically analyse a range of evidence and options and make an appropriate decision.

Technical: legal professional skills

There are several essential skills needed, which must be demonstrated at application and interview. Candiates must demonstrate: 

• the ability to think critically and assist on complex legal matters under the supervision of lawyers;
• the ability to analyse large volumes of information to provide correct analysis of client needs and application of correct legal advice and case management;
• the ability to draft or support lawyers to draft effective legal documents including drafts of advice for clients, instructions for counsel, witness statements and client letters;
• an eye for detail and accuracy; and
• the ability uphold confidentiality under all circumstances.

There are several desirable skills, which will be used when there's a need to distinguish between candidates who are closely tied or the same after the initial consideration of essential criteria, at sift and/or interview. These include:

• proficiency with legal databases;
• good working knowledge of iManage/CMS/LION and Legal Support Packages or equivalent; and
• leadership or line management experience.

Qualifications

Candiates must provide evident of one of the following:

• a legal qualification at level 6 or equivalent (eg, CILEX, GDL/Law conversion); or
• a law degree or non-law degree with a Graduate Diploma in Law.

Where candidates don't hold one of the above, they should demonstrate experience of working in a law-based team or paralegal role.

Please note that candidates can't apply more than three months before their qualification date. You must hold one of the above qualifications or work-based experience before you can start your role.

Security clearance level

All GLD employees must hold Baseline Personnel Security Standard. If successful for this post you must hold or be willing to obtain Security Check (SC) level clearance for this role. You can start this position while obtaining this clearance level, however continued appointment will be conditional upon obtaining the required security clearance. More information can be found about the vetting and clearance levels before completing your application.

A note on security clearance

Please note, applying through this campaign will provides the opportunity for gaining a higher-level security clearance at SC clearance level. Should you wish to gain lower clearance levels, please apply through senior paralegal (BPSS/CTC clearance).

Sponsorship and visas

Visa sponsorship will not be given to candidates except where they are existing civil servants employed by GLD, who meet the HO/UKVI requirements for sponsorship. If you're an existing civil servant employed by GLD who requires sponsorship, you should confirm your eligibility for sponsorship for this role prior to application. This doesn't guarantee that sponsorship will be given for this role at a future date.

Candidates with Limited Leave to Remain, must have at least 12 months remaining on an existing visa which allows them to work for GLD, at the point they start working at GLD. Please allow three months for the onboarding process from the point of offer. Please note, GLD may not be able to provide sponsorship for this role when your current visa arrangements expire and you will not be able to continue in your employment with GLD via sponsorship if this is the case.

Linked vacancy

If you submit an application for this role, you will not be eligible to apply for senior paralegal (BPSS/CTC clearance). If you do so we will class your application as a duplicate and the system will not accept the further application. You may only apply for one of these two roles.

Apply here.