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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK’s role in the world.

We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK's security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

Salary
Grade 6 London based – The pay range for this role at Grade 6 is £61,285 to £71,878 per annum, depending on demonstration of skills, competence and experience. In addition, a London Location Allowance of £2,000 is payable when working in a London Based Role. Please note that separate arrangements apply to existing Civil Servants who will transfer on lateral transfer or promotion terms – see section below.

Grade 7 London based – The pay range for this role at Grade 7 is £49,955 to £60,078 per annum, depending on demonstration of skills, competence and experience. In addition, a London Location Allowance of £2,000 is payable when working in a London Based Role. Please note that separate arrangements apply to existing Civil Servants who will transfer on lateral transfer or promotion terms – see section below.

Grade 6 East Kilbride based – The pay range for this role at Grade 6 is £61,285 to £71,878 per annum, depending on demonstration of skills, competence and experience. Please note that separate arrangements apply to existing Civil Servants who will transfer on lateral transfer or promotion terms – see section below.

Grade 7 East Kilbride based - The pay range for this role at Grade 7 is £49,955 to £60,078 per annum, depending on demonstration of skills, competence and experience. Please note that separate arrangements apply to existing Civil Servants who will transfer on lateral transfer or promotion terms – see section below.

Future pay awards will be performance related, linked to the annual appraisal process and may also include a non-consolidated Performance Related Payment (PRP), dependant on the level of performance. All future awards are subject to guidance issued annually by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

Existing Civil Servants
For existing Civil Servants, the usual FCDO rules on starting pay on level transfer will apply. Your current salary excluding any allowances, will be transferred to FCDO payroll, subject to the FCDO grade maximum. For those being promoted, you will receive a 10% increase on your current salary or the higher grade minimum, whichever is the greater.

Main Purpose of Job
On 1st September 2020, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) merged with the Department for International Development (DFID) to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The Legal Directorate of the FCDO supports the strategic priorities of the department and advises on all legal matters affecting its work, both domestic and international. The work includes questions of public international law, public law, commercial law, EU law and human rights and encompasses advisory work, primary and secondary legislation and litigation.

Lawyers in the Directorate collaborate with policy and operational colleagues across the FCDO, in the UK and worldwide. In addition, FCDO Legal Directorate has close links with the Government Legal Department, operating in partnership to offer joined-up legal services across government.

FCDO Legal Directorate comprises around 100 lawyers working in London and overseas. It also includes the FCDO’s Treaty Section, Ocean Policy Unit, Central Litigation Unit and a Business Management Team.

Assistant Legal Advisers (ALAs) are allocated to one of the eight legal teams:

• National Security
• Europe and Human Rights
• EU Trade & Relations
• Development Corporate and Operations
• Ocean and Overseas Territories
• Foreign Relations
• Sanctions and Asia Pacific Team
• Treaty, Economic and Knowledge

ALAs can expect to spend around 3 years in a team before moving to another role so that they acquire a broad range of legal experience. ALAs also have the opportunity to serve in legal roles in diplomatic missions overseas. There are currently ALA posts in Brussels, New York, Geneva, The Hague, Strasbourg and Washington DC.

Further information about the work of FCDO Legal Directorate can be found in its Annual Review. Please note that the new Annual Review is about to be published, but this will still give a good overview.

FCDO Legal Directorate Recruitment Open Evenings:
These virtual sessions aim to engage the potential applicants by giving them an insight into the Directorate. It is also an opportunity to hear from FCDO Legal Directors and Senior Management Team members.

• Evening One on Tuesday 13th June 2023
• Evening Two on Thursday 22nd June 2023

To register your attendance please email Legal Directorate Business Management Team [email protected].

Roles and Responsibilities
The Legal Directorate’s main purpose is to provide accurate, prompt and policy-friendly legal advice to Ministers and colleagues responsible for delivering the department’s objectives. The work of an ALA is varied and will depend on the responsibilities of the team and particular work portfolios assigned. ALAs can expect to advise, often at pace, on a range of questions of public international law, as well as domestic law (particularly public law).

As well as core advisory work, our ALAs can also be expected to lead on:

• litigation before international courts and tribunals;
• handling litigation in domestic courts against the FCDO; and
• drafting legislation, in particular statutory instruments concerning sanctions and the Overseas Territories.

ALAs can also be expected to represent the UK at bilateral and multinational meetings and negotiations, including in the UN and the Council of Europe. Subject to the precise role, there may be some opportunities for travel.

We are seeking to recruit the right blend of legal expertise in the areas of public international law and public law, and are open to recruiting lawyers with government, private or third sector experience. All of the successful candidates will be excellent lawyers, with a desire to develop their expertise in new areas of law and the agility to operate in a stimulating and fast-moving environment. They will be highly collaborative and supportive of their colleagues and will actively contribute to building an inclusive culture in which diverse perspectives are respected and challenge is encouraged. They will be committed to a career in FCDO Legal Directorate, and to our values of respect, expertise, creativity, courage, resilience and public service.

Recruitment at Grade 7 with progression to Grade 6 is possible after 2-3 years’ service. Recruitment at Grade 6 may be considered for applicants with the relevant level of skills and experience, with responsibility in the team for delivering advice in more complex, or politically sensitive contexts and leading on specific legal programmes and line management. All candidates will be assessed for both grades and successful candidates will be matched accordingly against evidence provided of their relevant skills and experience.

For the right candidates, there will also be opportunities to develop leadership and management skills.

FCDO Legal Directorate would particularly welcome applications from individuals with backgrounds traditionally under-represented in the law.

It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria, the Behaviours and the Technical question as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.



Minimum Criteria

Qualifications:

• An upper second class honours degree (2:1)
  OR
  A lower second class honours degree (2:2) and a LLM (Master of Laws) or equivalent post-graduate qualification in law.
  AND
• Fully qualified barrister or solicitor in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, or advocate or solicitor in Scotland.
  OR
  Fully qualified Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) where exams have been passed (i.e. a score of 50% or above achieved), at CILEx Level 6, in all of the following seven foundation subjects in law: 1. Contract Law 2. Criminal Law 3. Equity and Trusts Law 4. European Union Law 5. Land Law 6. Public Law 7. Law of Tort.
• Significant experience and skills in public international law, the law relating to the UK’s overseas territories, or public law.

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• A specialist legal question at application and interview
• You will be asked Motivation questions at interview.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• A specialist legal question at application and interview

Job contact :

Name :
FCDO Recruitment Team
Email :
[email protected]

Recruitment team

Email :
[email protected]