NSTA 471 Senior Legal Adviser

The NSTA’s hybrid working includes an expectation for staff to spend 40% of their time in the office.

Brief overview of role

The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), with offices in central Aberdeen and London, has a pivotal role working with the industry and government on the economic recovery of the UK’s oil and gas resources, including security of supply, whilst also supporting the move to net zero carbon by 2050. The NSTA is also the licensing and regulatory authority for onshore and offshore carbon dioxide transport and storage, a critical part of the move to Net Zero as set out by the Climate Change Committee. 

Our ambition is to be a world-leading authority setting the framework for a sustainable and competitive UK upstream energy industry. We believe that the oil and gas industry has the skills, technology and capital to unlock solutions to help the UK achieve the net zero target.

Our role includes, among other things, the licensing and consenting regime for the UK’s offshore and onshore oil and gas activity, carbon storage operations and hydrogen transport and storage.

Led by our General Counsel, the NSTA's Legal Directorate has full responsibility and accountability for the NSTA’s legal advice and we are looking to appoint a Senior Legal Adviser, to provide legal advice and support to the NSTA on all aspects of its activities.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an experienced and dynamic Directorate, guiding the NSTA at a time of transition and further change for the upstream energy industry: for example, the NSTA is working closely with government and industry on the vital role the industry plays in supporting and assisting the UK’s security of energy supply, energy transition matters and meeting the net zero target.

The Legal Directorate works collaboratively and flexibly, and specific areas of responsibility for this role will evolve to respond to the priorities of the organisation, but you can expect to work closely with the operational, regulatory and policy teams in the NSTA with a focus on licensing, public & administrative law and commercial matters, as well as responding to litigation. We are looking for a candidate with an ability to assimilate new areas of law quickly, to have reliable legal judgement and the ability to produce sound analysis at pace.

 Detailed job description and key responsibilities

As a Senior Legal Adviser, you must be qualified to practise as a solicitor or advocate/barrister in Scotland and/or England & Wales.

You will advise on licensing, policy matters, dispute resolution, including litigation, and assist in the development and implementation of projects, guidelines and operational procedures. 

You will work closely with internal stakeholders, our technical teams, policy specialists and with industry figures and government representatives, and deliver legal advice to the NSTA on complex matters.

You will possess excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to provide clear, constructive advice on complex legal matters with the confidence and initiative to find workable solutions to policy and operational problems.

You will have strong knowledge and understanding of public law and experience of public litigation/investigations, preferably in a regulated industry context.

In addition, you may have experience in one or more of the following areas: 

• Working in/with regulators/regulated organisations.
• Competition law - the NSTA is charged with facilitating collaboration within the industry and needs to be confident that its work to increase collaboration does not inadvertently raise the risk of anti¬-competitive behaviour within the industry.
• Advising on Freedom of Information requests and Data Protection compliance.
• Company/Commercial Law. 
• Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms - the NSTA operates a dispute resolution process to help the industry achieve more efficient commercial outcomes.
• Civil procedure and appeals process. The NSTA has power to impose sanctions on companies, including the power to fine and to determine licences. There is provision for companies to appeal to the First Tier Tribunal.

Person Specification

Competence 1:   Leading and Communicating

All staff should demonstrate leadership appropriate to their grade and communicate with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm.

• Excellent drafting and communication skills; and,
• Excellent interpersonal skills together with the ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.           

Competence 2:   Delivery

We are a delivery focussed organisation. Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

• Flexibility and resilience to deal with high-volume and competing priorities and the ability to work effectively with colleagues who are themselves often under pressure;
• Able to provide quick, confident and authoritative legal advice to colleagues within the NSTA.

Competence 3:   Strategic and Commercial Thinking

Strategic and commercial thinking is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider stakeholder requirements.

• Being sensitive to the broader political and commercial aspects of the Oil and Gas regime; and,
• The ability to think strategically about how legal services can support the priorities of the NSTA.

Competence 4:   Decision Making and Judgment

Effective decision making and judgement is critical to the success of the NSTA. To achieve success all staff need to demonstrate a commitment to being objective, using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.

• Excellent analytical and handling skills; and,
• Strong attention to detail.

Specialist Skills, Qualifications, Experience, Licenses, Memberships or Language

Essential:

• The post holder must be a qualified solicitor or barrister (Scotland and/or England & Wales) with excellent legal and general project management skills and experience.
• Post-qualification work experience as a solicitor or barrister.
• Strong knowledge of public law and experience of public litigation/investigations, preferably in a regulatory context.
• Able to provide and communicate authoritative, high-quality advice, often within very tight timescales.
• Ability to look at problems with a pragmatic, political and commercial, as well as a legally robust, perspective. 

Desirable:            

• Experience of advising on one or more of company/commercial law, competition law, and/or contract law.
• A demonstrable interest and understanding of regulatory and/or commercial matters.