Senior Enforcement Lawyer (Band 1/Grade 6)

Overview

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is recruiting for a Senior Enforcement Lawyer. The role is key to public confidence in HSE and the wider justice system. The team advises on policy, public law, statutory interpretation, drafting, and engagement with Government Departments, stakeholders and regulators. As Great Britain''s Health and Safety regulator, our enforcement powers support compliance with the wider HandS regime and ensure accountability for causing death and serious injury.Working pattern

Part-time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part-time applicants who can commit to a minimum of 28 hours per week. HSE offers a flexible approach to working hours and would explore a suitable pattern with a successful part-time candidate.Travel

Flexible teams are based across the country and will require regular travel to HSE''s headquarters in Bootle, less frequent travel to other HSE offices, and occasional attendance at courts and case conferences nationwide. Travel may involve overnight stays, but most visits can be planned in advance.Candidate profile

You will be either a qualified Barrister or Solicitor with significant post-qualification experience advising on complex criminal investigations and prosecuting, experience of line management and leadership, and ideally experience in assisting with the management of organisational change.Role context

The legal issues HSE encounters are often complex, wide-ranging and novel. The enforcement lawyers will work closely with policy officials to assist in making proper and lawful decisions while considering legal risk and anticipating challenges.Responsibilities

Be a member of the Division''s senior leadership team, leading the newly restructured team through periods of operational change and implementing changes to improve effectiveness and efficiency.Contribute to the wider strategic direction and management of the organisation as a member of the senior leadership team.Provide legal advice to the organisation on a wide range of topics, including operational and policy issues.Oversee a team of lawyers, managing their performance and professional development.Supervise the caseload of those you line manage, ensuring cases progress in a timely, high-standard manner.Provide oversight and delivery of legal training to HSE inspectors and keep written guidance up to date.Manage your own caseload of complex and challenging criminal cases, advising on investigations, decisions to prosecute, and conducting resulting court proceedings.Qualifications and requirements

You must be legally qualified — either a qualified practising Solicitor or Barrister.Academic: You must have a law degree or a non-law degree with either the Common Professional Examination or Postgraduate Diploma in Law. If you qualified through CILEX, please contact us to establish eligibility for this role.Professional: You must have completed the Legal Practice Course, Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), or the Bar Professional Training Course and, where required, complete the relevant pupillage or training contract or have full exemption from the Solicitors Regulation Authority or Bar Standards Board.Please note that if you apply and do not possess the above qualifications, any offer of employment may be withdrawn or the contract terminated. The qualification requirements are stated for this role and equivalent qualifications will not be accepted.HSE reserves the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, during recruitment in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles. If used, all candidates will be subject to these checks.From 23 June 2025, successful interviewees will undergo pre-employment checks against the Internal Fraud Hub. If you are on the database, you may be refused employment. If you believe there has been an error, contact internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. See the Internal Fraud Register privacy notice for details.It is the candidate''s responsibility to understand the terms and conditions that apply should they be successful. A summary of HSE terms and conditions is available in the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document. Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards within Civil Service guidelines. HSE participates in the Disability Confidence Scheme and provides workplace adjustments for applicants with disabilities.Security and eligibility

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to UK nationals, certain Irish and Commonwealth nationals, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and related family members with settled or pre-settled status, and other eligible categories. Further information on nationality requirements is available.Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets standards for civil servants. We recruit on merit by fair and open competition. The Civil Service embraces diversity and runs a Disability Confident Scheme. The Civil Service also offers redeployment opportunities for civil servants at risk of redundancy.Diversity and inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting and developing talent from all backgrounds. See the Civil Service People Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for more details.Essential and desirable competencies

Legally qualified practising Solicitor or Barrister with significant post-qualification experience in instructing experts and Counsel in complex and sensitive cases.Extensive experience leading prosecutions, including personal conduct of prosecutions in court.Strong legal skills, analytical ability, and sound judgement.Clear, effective, influential communication and relationship-building with internal and external stakeholders.Ability to manage your own caseload while handling other responsibilities.Ability to supervise and lead a team, including performance management and change leadership.Ability to assimilate new areas of law and a keen interest in expanding knowledge and skills.Flexible team player capable of delivering under tight timescales and achieving optimal results with available resources.A valid practising certificate for England and Wales (SRA or BSB).Application guidance and behaviours assessed: Working Together, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service. For application details and Personal Statement guidance, see Civil Service Careers resources. Applicants should provide evidence of behaviours in the application ..... full job details .....