The UKHSA legal team in the Chief Operating Officer Group is recruiting a newly qualified solicitor for a Junior Legal Counsel post. The work spans commercial and research agreements, information governance, Freedom of Information requests, inquests and public inquiries. The post centres on life sciences, information law and public health law, including vaccine industry partnerships and lawful data sharing during outbreaks. Candidates need to be admitted solicitors in England and Wales with a current practising certificate.
What the job involves
- Provide legal advice mainly on life sciences, information law and public health law
- Advise on scientific research collaborations and material transfer arrangements
- Support the vaccine sector industry engagement programme, including the Moderna/UK Strategic Partnership
- Support scientific and business development teams on contractual and regulatory matters, including life sciences commercial agreements
- Advise on data protection and Freedom of Information matters
- Provide legal support to outbreak management, including lawful information sharing and public health legislation
- Advise on the lawful use and sharing of data and the regulatory frameworks behind UKHSA's work
- Handle a mix of legal work, including inquests and public inquiries
- Manage a varied caseload, working with internal clients, government lawyers, external firms and counsel
- Contribute to knowledge management, training and projects
- Work flexibly across legal disciplines and undertake other duties as required
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams
Qualifications
- Newly qualified solicitor
Registration & licences
- Admitted to the roll of solicitors in England and Wales
- Current practising certificate, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Experience
- Demonstrable interest and experience in life sciences, including intellectual property, commercial contracts and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrable interest and experience in information law, including data protection and Freedom of Information
- Demonstrable interest and experience in public health law
Skills & knowledge
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied caseload
- Sound legal judgement, analytical ability and an appreciation of legal risk
- Solutions-focused, commercially minded approach with strategic thinking
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Clear, confident and sensitive communication with stakeholders unfamiliar with legal concepts
Checks & eligibility
- Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
- Basic Personnel Security Standard
Nice to have
- Experience of working in an in-house legal team
- Understanding of the government and wider public sector context, or experience in a similar size organisation
What’s offered
- Hybrid working model, with flexibility over how and where work is done
- Annual pay award
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
