Legal Adviser in London

The Post

The successful candidate will provide legal advice to the IPC, JCs, CEO, inspectors, policy officials and authorising officers. The postholder will lead on communications data matters, working closely with JCs, authorising officers and inspectors, but will also be expected to develop a good understanding of the full range of work that comes through the office and advise JCs on any application for investigatory powers. Communications data concerns the ‘who’, ‘where’, ‘when’ and ‘how’ of a communication, but not its content – it is often referred to as ‘metadata’. It is an extremely important investigatory power that features in most law enforcement investigations.

• Lead on communications data matters, working closely with JCs, authorising officers and inspectors.
• Develop a good understanding of the full range of work that comes through the office and advise JCs on any application for investigatory powers.
• Advise on communications data issues (metadata) and related investigative powers within legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Report to the Head of Legal (London-based). Requires regular access to secure office-based systems and a London presence.
• Support colleagues on inspections and in meetings with stakeholders and public authority representatives; travel throughout the UK as needed, with more frequent travel to IPCO’s Birmingham and Manchester offices where communications data authorising officers are based; occasional international travel to represent IPCO at conferences and meetings with international counterparts.
• Provide training and on-the-job support as needed; no prior knowledge of communications data is required.
• Demonstrate experience in practicing public law to advise and maintain the confidence of Judicial Commissioners, inspectors and authorising officers; able to challenge senior decision makers in public authorities and other stakeholder groups on contentious matters.
• Communicate key messages clearly and succinctly to a variety of audiences; possess excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience in practicing public law; ability to advise with discretion and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, diplomacy and political awareness; ability to work collaboratively across IPCO’s teams and build effective relationships at all levels.
• Ability to respect sensitive information, confidentiality and privacy.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, capable of handling complex information for diverse audiences.

• The post does not have line management responsibilities.
• We support flexible working but require regular attendance in the office (at least three days a week, depending on business need) to access classified information in a secure environment. Some home working may be possible; options will be discussed with potential candidates.
• The role is available on a full-time basis due to business needs; candidates must assess whether full-time work is suitable before accepting the offer.

Applications are welcome on lateral transfer at Grade 7 (or departmental equivalent) or on promotion.