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- Tasks: Lead legal strategy and advocacy for climate justice initiatives.
- Company: Uplift drives a fair transition away from fossil fuels in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development, flexible working, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Encourages applications from under-represented backgrounds in the climate sector.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team making impactful changes in climate policy and law.
- Qualifications: Legal qualification with experience in strategic litigation and climate law preferred.
Location: UK
Contract: 12 months - Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Standard working hours 9.00 - 17.30
Salary: £54,093
Benefits: Annual Professional Development Allowance, Employee Assistance Programme, home office set up allowance, consideration of flexible working requirements and work/workplace adjustments, and organisational focus on employee wellbeing.
Starting date: 1st September (with some flexibility)
Closing date: 11pm, Sunday 15th June
Proposed interviews: Interviews will be conducted w/c 2nd July 2025
About Us
Uplift supports efforts to create a rapid and fair transition away from oil and gas production in the UK. We strategically support, connect and elevate ideas and voices to set in motion a just transition away from fossil fuel production commensurate with the scale of the climate crisis. We are currently looking for a Principal Legal Adviser (Maternity cover) to drive forward opportunities for strategic legal and policy advocacy. This is an exciting opportunity to help build an ambitious movement to phase out oil and gas extraction in the UK.
The Role
As Principal Legal Adviser (Maternity cover), you will collaborate with Uplift's team and key partners to ensure that our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking legal and policy analysis. From identifying strategic litigation opportunities to advancing law reform advocacy, this is a diverse role that is key to our work.
Uplift has taken and supported high-profile climate litigation and used legal insight to generate front-page headlines linked to our campaigns. Most recently, we have won the legal case against the Rosebank oil field in the North Sea. We have also generated legal analysis to support a wider network to participate in vital public consultation processes. The successful candidate will have exceptional legal and advocacy skills, an ability to think strategically about law and policy opportunities, and a keen interest in climate and energy-related policy and campaigns. A strong commitment to Uplift's mission and core values is also required.
Responsibilities
- Strategy and leadership
- Responsible for the development and implementation of Uplift's legal strategy.
- Lead the development of Uplift's strategic legal work, including litigation, law reform advocacy, and legal advice and analysis, that advances Uplift's objectives.
- Lead the delivery of work programmes - including management of diverse and complex litigation and associated legal campaigns/communications - in line with Uplift's legal strategy.
- Identify and shape strategic litigation opportunities, providing legal analysis and support to external lawyers and experts throughout.
- Develop legal analysis to support campaign, communications and research strategies, including support for key partners.
- Analyse, interpret, and synthesise legal and policy developments to support the politics team and advise our network.
- Track ongoing legal and policy developments across Uplift's core areas of interest to identify key opportunities and gaps.
- Provide fact-checking and ad-hoc legal research for the Uplift team to ensure accuracy in Uplift's public communications.
- Manage a team to deliver Uplift's legal strategy and objectives, including Legal & Policy Adviser and Legal Campaigns Coordinator.
- Manage sub-grants, sub-contractors and arrangements with external lawyers where relevant.
- Oversee financial and budget management of key legal work programmes and campaigns, with support from Uplift's senior management team.
- Provide ad hoc high-level legal guidance and advice to Uplift's senior management team on operational matters.
Our ideal candidate will have:
- Experience in a similar or related role.
- A formal legal qualification, with a strong preference for previous experience in strategic litigation.
- Legal expertise in an area relevant to Uplift's legal work is essential: environmental or climate law, public law (including administrative law) and/or just energy transitions.
- Experience of working and advising on policy areas linked to Uplift's agenda would be a significant asset.
- A demonstrable ability to provide compelling and novel analysis, including defining and executing strategic legal projects.
- Motivation, initiative, exceptionally high standards, a collaborative approach, and associated qualities are needed to work in a dynamic organisation with an ambitious agenda.
- A strong commitment to Uplift's mission and core values of equity and climate justice.
Application
Please email a CV (2 pages) and cover letter (2 pages) to . We can only accept applications with both a CV and a cover letter. Please use the cover letter to say why you want to work for Uplift and how you could use your experience to meet the responsibilities of the role. Should you have any specific questions you wish to discuss about your application then send an email to . We will ask successful applicants to complete a written test along with a standard interview.
Accessibility and Anti-oppression are at the core of Uplift's values and therefore we strongly encourage applications from candidates whose backgrounds or accessibility/support needs mean they have been traditionally under-represented in the climate and environment sector. If you are unsure if you meet the requirements or feel you will be disadvantaged by the process then please email us at so we can see how we might provide support.
Unfortunately, we can only consider candidates who are already eligible to work in the UK. Uplift requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Contact Detail:
Uplift Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Legal Adviser (Maternity Cover)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Uplift's mission and recent legal cases, especially the Rosebank oil field case. Understanding their strategic approach will help you align your advocacy skills with their objectives during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the climate law sector. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with individuals who may have insights into Uplift's work and the challenges they face, which can be beneficial for your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your previous legal work that demonstrate your ability to handle complex litigation and policy advocacy. Tailoring these examples to reflect Uplift's focus on climate justice will make a strong impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to equity and climate justice in your conversations. Be ready to articulate how your values align with Uplift's core principles, as this will resonate well with their organisational culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Legal Adviser (Maternity Cover)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Make sure to customise your cover letter specifically for the Principal Legal Adviser role at Uplift. Highlight your legal qualifications, relevant experience in strategic litigation, and your passion for climate justice. Clearly explain how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles or projects that demonstrate your expertise in environmental or climate law, public law, or just energy transitions. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to provide compelling legal analysis and lead strategic legal initiatives.
Highlight Your Commitment: Uplift values a strong commitment to their mission and core values. In both your CV and cover letter, express your dedication to equity and climate justice. Share any personal experiences or motivations that drive your interest in this field.
Proofread and Format: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread both your CV and cover letter for any errors. Ensure that your documents are well-formatted, easy to read, and adhere to the two-page limit for each. A polished application reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.
How to prepare for a job interview at Uplift
✨Understand Uplift's Mission
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Uplift's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and legal victories, such as the case against the Rosebank oil field. This will help you articulate how your skills and experiences align with their goals.
✨Prepare for Legal Scenarios
Given the role's focus on strategic litigation and legal advocacy, be ready to discuss specific legal scenarios or cases you've worked on. Think about how you approached these situations and the outcomes, as this will demonstrate your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
Uplift values collaboration, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams. Highlight any experiences where you led a project or contributed to a group effort, especially in legal or policy contexts, to show that you can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewers. This could include inquiries about Uplift's future legal strategies or how they measure the success of their campaigns. Asking insightful questions shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.