Deputy Legal Director

Deputy Director Legal

National Crime Agency

London

SCS1 (£73,000 - £`117,800)

Serious and organised crime is one of the gravest threats to the UK's national security. The National Crime Agency sits at the heart of the law enforcement response, protecting the public by disrupting and bringing to justice those serious and organised criminals who pose the highest risk to the UK.

NCA officers work at the forefront of law enforcement. Building the best possible intelligence picture of all serious and organised crime threats, relentlessly pursuing the most serious and dangerous offenders, and developing and delivering specialist capabilities on behalf of law enforcement and other partners.

The in-house legal department of the NCA sits at the heart of the Agency; providing specialist advisory and litigation support across the entire organisation. NCA Legal collaborates with operational officers as well as other government departments, agencies and police forces on a daily basis to assist with live investigations around the world. 

Deputy Director Legal is one of the key leadership roles in the NCA, deputising for the agency's Legal Advisor. This key role provides strong leadership and effective management of a large team of around 60 lawyers and non-lawyers, thereby ensuring the delivery of timely, effective and high quality legal advice.

The post-holder will be required to demonstrate a strong commitment to developing staff; strategic direction and a risk-based oversight of challenging cases; the ability to build strong relationships with partners; the provision of high quality oral and written legal advice and briefings to senior officials on legal issues relevant to the NCA and an ability to translate the strategic priorities of the agency into legal delivery.

Person Specification:

•              Qualified to practice as a lawyer in England & Wales;

•              Ensure an optimum professional environment for lawyers, paralegals and business support staff to deliver high quality legal services, this may include a range of corporate activities including  managing budgets, recruitment campaigns and ensuring that staff development and training is in place;

•              Maintain credible relationships with counterparts across law enforcement, the Home Office, the CPS, the intelligence community and Whitehall departments;

•              Provide the provision of timely and enabling accurate legal advice at senior levels within the organisation, including deputising for the Legal Adviser at key governance meetings.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

•              Experience of working within, or closely alongside, operational organisations and/or teams.

•              Strong existing relationships or a proven ability to form a credible professional network with other professionals in partner organisations.

•              Experience of advising on one or more of the following areas of law: Criminal law & evidence; human rights; investigatory powers; civil law & procedure (e.g. litigation, inquests, public inquiries); immigration; public law & judicial review; proceeds of crime & criminal finance; information law, including Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act; employment law.

For further information, please visit www.odgers.com/88479

For an initial conversation about this role please contact Henry Martin at henry.martin@odgersberndtson.com

Closing Date: 23.59 19 March 2023

This post is regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

Please note: should you wish to apply under the DC Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please complete the attached form and email it to NCA.88479@odgersberndtson.com