About the job

Job summary

From energy to security, health to human rights, we help the Government deliver life changing law for citizens.
The Government Legal Department is the largest provider of legal services across government, working on high profile matters that are frequently scrutinised in Parliament and the media. Our work includes:

• Developing and drafting legislation
• Providing legal advice on policies 
• Securing our economic and trade relationships
• Ensuring value from commercial contracts worth billions of pounds
• Providing the Civil Service’s employment law advice

We are at the heart of delivering the Government’s priorities and our success depends on our people. 

GLD is a non-ministerial government department, sponsored by the Attorney General. We are headed by the Treasury Solicitor, our Permanent Secretary and employ nearly 3000 people, including over 2000 legal professionals. Our offices include London, Leeds, Bristol, Croydon and Manchester as well as overseas. We provide specialist legal services including Litigation, Employment and Commercial Law as well as advising most Government Departments on the policies and services they deliver.
 
GLD also depends on a range of vital corporate services. These are essential to the smooth and efficient running of the Department and provide the foundation to enable GLD to deliver outstanding legal services. Our corporate functions include Strategy, HR, Finance, Digital, Data and Technology, Communications, Security, Commercial and Project delivery.  
 
Our vision is to be an outstanding legal organisation and a brilliant place to work where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. This is an exciting time for GLD, with cutting edge legal work on global issues and a transformation agenda which is ensuring the Department exemplifies the Modern Civil Service.   
 
To find out more about what we do visit the Government Legal Department’s  webpage or have a look at this short film which showcases the breadth of work government lawyers and legal trainees are involved in.

About the Division / Team

Department for Transport Legal Advisers

The Rail Projects Legal Team sits in the GLD division which advises the Department for Transport (DfT). Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and even space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. It’s how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. DfT’s vision is to “Connect People and Places”, supporting the economy by creating an inclusive transport network for everyone, as well as a safer, more secure and sustainable transport system.

DfT’s priorities are to grow the economy by enhancing the transport network, on time and on budget; improve transport users’ experience, ensuring that the network is safe, reliable and inclusive; and reducing environmental impacts by tackling climate change and improving air quality by decarbonising transport.

DfT’s Legal Advisers (or “DfTLA” as we often call ourselves) are at the forefront of helping the Government to deliver its transport policies. We also play a key role in giving effect to the UK’s international transport obligations. Many of our lawyers are involved in international negotiations and some undertake international travel. 

Much of the rest of the work splits between public and regulatory law across all forms of transport, major infrastructure project work (including Private Bills through Parliament) and commercial work - focused on railway franchises, both competitions and in-life management. In the public law sphere, we often have Bill work (recently we have had the Space Industry Bill, and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill, and currently have the Automated Vehicles Bill and Pedicabs (London) Bill).

We also have an extensive and regular programme of statutory instruments.

We currently have 11 teams and over 160 people and have an exceptionally wide range of legal practice.

“Thank you for your interest in this exciting role in DfTLA. I’m very proud to lead a talented and diverse GLD division, where every day our people see the positive real world impacts their work has in making transport better for everyone.  If successful, you’ll lead a hugely capable legal team dealing with some of the most pressing transport legal issues of the day. And, as part of DfTLA’s senior leadership team, you’ll help lead and shape the running of the division, and contribute to the wider leadership of GLD.

If that sounds of interest, then I very much hope you’ll apply.”

Stephen Cave, Legal Director

Job description

The Role

The role is to be a Deputy Director, heading the Department for Transport’s Rail Projects legal team.

Rail is a complex transport sector involving very significant levels of public spending.  DfT has both a policy and operational role in relation to the running of the railway. The Secretary of State for Transport decides which train operating companies can operate railway franchises on tracks which are owned and operated by Network Rail. The government plans to transform these arrangements so that in future, they sit with a single entity (Great British Railways). Having consulted on these proposals, they are currently subject to pre-legislative scrutiny in Parliament. Further legislative reform of the railways is expected to be delivered after the general election (and which may change the precise scope of this role).

This new role will involve, in particular, leading the provision of high-quality legal advice to the DfT on:

• the implementation of minimum service levels, in passenger rail, under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 made under the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 and further policy work as required, including contractual arrangements with train operating companies, and connected international law advice;
• implementing reforms in the rail industry which modernise workforce terms and conditions;
• rail pensions, including advice on determinations of The Pensions Regulator

The post holder is likely to be leading a team of up to c.10 lawyers, with direct line management of around four senior lawyers. 

The post holder will also work with deputy director colleagues heading three other rail legal teams. Each has a slightly different focus: rail franchising; transformation of the rail industry; and day to day operational issues including policing, security and international rail matters.  A further DfTLA team leads on commercial law matters including major projects (such as HS2) and rolling stock procurement

Each of the deputy director-led rail teams works in close partnership on a daily basis with colleagues in GLD’s employment and litigation groups. We also work closely with law firms on the Rail Legal Services panel. meaning that deputy directors (and lawyers in our teams) are routinely managing external lawyers on rail work. We also have a number of secondees from those firms. 

Additionally, as a member of the senior leadership team in DfTLA and the Government Legal Department, the post holder will also be expected to contribute to leading the wider division and to GLD as a whole, and to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered about the role they play, the work that they do and their future careers. 

Civil Service Code

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of you and other civil servants. These are based on the core values which are set out in legislation. As a civil servant, you are expected to carry out your role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values of: 

• ‘integrity’ is putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
• ‘honesty’ is being truthful and open
• 'objectivity’ is basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
• ‘impartiality’ is acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions.

These core values support good government and ensures the achievement of the highest possible standards in all that the Civil Service does.

Person specification

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you provide evidence and examples of proven experience of these selection criteria.

The successful candidate will be qualified to practise* as a solicitor or barrister in England and Wales (which includes overseas lawyers with necessary exemptions). It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability that you provide evidence and examples which demonstrate capability and potential against these selection criteria:

Technical

Legal Professional Skills

• Sound knowledge of public law.
• Brings wider legal experience and knowledge to bear, demonstrating creative thinking and excellent judgement to deliver authoritative legal advice, at pace, to facilitate practical solutions.
• Effectively manages legal risk in their own work and that of the team, providing sound legal direction and oversight, and ensuring quality control.
• Have a track-record of picking up new and complex areas of legal work quickly, and providing context-appropriate advice in high-profile and fast-moving situations.
• Desirable: experience of industrial relations, commercial, procurement and/or subsidies law.

Behaviours

Leadership

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to command credibility with ministers and senior officials, and build deep collaborative partnerships with government departments, public bodies and other organisations.
• Remain visible and approachable to all colleagues and stakeholders.
• Display enthusiasm for our work, helping to inspire colleagues and stakeholders on the work of GLD.
• Embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity for all, where the diversity of individuals’ backgrounds and experiences are valued and respected.

Working Together

• Proactively create, maintain and promote a strong network of contacts across the organisation and externally.
• Embed an inclusive culture of creating positive and supportive teams who consider the diverse needs and feelings of other colleagues.
• Encourage and establish mechanisms to share knowledge and resources across boundaries to support the business.

Managing a quality service

• Work collaboratively with customers to deliver agreed outcomes.
• Identify areas for improvement and make appropriate changes to reach professional excellence.
  

Making Effective Decisions

• Make sense of a wide range of political and national pressures and influences to develop strategies which meet organisational goals.
• Consult with others where necessary to ensure decisions meet the diverse needs of the end users.
• Accept and respond to challenge constructively

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,000, Government Legal Department contributes £20,250 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

To apply for this post, you will need to complete the online application process accessed via the advertisement listed for this role. This should be completed no later than 12:00 PM Mid-day Monday 29th January 2024 and will involve submitting the two following sections in an online form:

1. A CV (no longer than 1250 words) setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements which will be scored.
2. A Statement of Suitability (no longer than 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the Person Specification / Criteria

Please note that you will be asked to remove identifying information relating to your name, protected characteristics (e.g. age), and the name of any educational institution, when you complete the form.

As part of the online application process, you will be asked a number of diversity-related questions. If you do not wish to provide a declaration on any of the particular characteristics, you will have the option to select 'prefer not to say'. The information you provide when submitting your application will help us monitor our progress towards the Civil Service becoming an inclusive employer and a great place to work. See the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more information or go to Equality and Diversity

Should you encounter any issues with your online application or are unable to apply online please contact william.tang@Governmentlegal.gov.uk

Selection Panels

The selection panel for this campaign will be:

• Stephen Cave, DfT Legal Director
• A senior GLD lawyer
• A senior DfT official

Shortlist

You will receive an acknowledgment of your application through the online process.

The panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit with the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the ‘Person Specification’ section. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Assessments

If you are shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a Staff engagement Exercise and an Individual Leadership Assessment.

This assessment will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, it is designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Full details of the assessment process will be provided to shortlisted candidates at the earliest opportunity.

Informal Conversations

Shortlisted candidates will also have the opportunity to speak to the vacancy holder, Stephen Cave, prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and the organisation. Please note this is an optional part of the process, not part of the formal assessment process.

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Interviews will probably take place remotely via video conference, full details of the interview format will be provided to shortlisted candidates prior to interview.

Offer, Feedback and Reserve List

The timeline later in this pack indicates the date by which decisions are expected to be made, and all candidates will be advised of selection decisions as soon as possible thereafter.

We are not able to offer feedback to candidates not selected at shortlist stage. Shortlisted candidates who attend an interview will also be offered feedback from a member of the interview panel.

We appoint in strict order of merit. If you meet the minimum criteria for this position but are not successful for a post, you will be placed on the reserve list for up to 12 months.  We then may contact you to see if you are interested in a post at the same, or a lower grade, in GLD should one arise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.