Market Framework Division’s key role is to manage Ireland’s radio spectrum. Radio frequencies are a valuable and finite natural resource that are used to provide a wide range of important communications services and applications for the benefit of society. The wireless communications sector plays an important role in the Irish economy and accounts for around 17,000 jobs and an estimated contribution of €6.2 billion (3.5%) to Gross National Income.
Permanent, Full Time
Market Framework
Dublin city center
* All new entrants will join the organisation at the bottom of the pay scale. Pay increases will be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance and to the terms of any government agreements.
The Role
The primary role of the Legal Advisor is to assimilate complex legal and factual situations and to provide clear, solution-focused legal advice and services to support major projects and the general functions of the Division, as outlined above. In addition to providing legal advice to staff and to the Commission, the Legal Advisor will also provide briefings to external solicitors and barristers and manage the interface with them.
The Legal Advisor works within a multi-disciplinary team in Market Framework, which includes analysts, industry experts, engineers, economists and other lawyers. The role reports to the Senior Manager, Shared Resources, who manages the Legal and Economist teams in the Market Framework Division.
Role Description
Provide clear, concise, practical and strategic legal advice to inform and guide the Division, the Commission and its staff by identifying the key legal issues, the available options, and the associated legal risks;
Review key documentation and identify legal weaknesses and/or necessary changes. Review documentation prepared by external consultants, prior to publication;
Draft regulatory instruments such as secondary legislation and decision instruments and draft elements of public consultation documents, including regulatory impact assessments;
Minimise legal risk by forming a considered view as to whether any proposed regulatory measure is supported by the relevant facts and consistent with applicable law and whether the administrative process leading to the proposed measure was properly conducted;
Prepare legal briefs for external lawyers, particularly in the context of potential litigation cases, and manage the ongoing provision of external advice;
Provide analysis and input on any proposed National or EU legislation impacting ComReg’s responsibilities;
Liaise with legal and other staff in government departments, public bodies and national regulatory authorities as required;
Manage litigation as required (both defence and prosecution with a focus on the High Court and Commercial Court); Review affidavits, expert reports and other substantive input for use in the litigation (submissions, motion papers, etc.); and
Contribute to organisation-level legal and regulatory policy issues, primarily by participating in cross-Divisional advisor meetings led by ComReg’s General Counsel;
Qualifications and Experience
Essential experience/knowledge
Be enrolled and admitted as a Solicitor or Barrister in the State with 6+ years post qualification experience – preferably in the Irish jurisdiction (candidates outside this PQE range are encouraged to apply provided they can demonstrate the necessary experience and competencies);
Extensive proven experience of working in top tier legal practice, or advising a sector-specific regulator or similar statutory body, or in-house in the regulated industry sector;
A solid understanding of the policies which underpin sector-specific regulation, including market liberalisation, consumer protection and the promotion of competition;
Specific qualifications in public administrative law and/or competition law, and/or regulatory law or knowledge or experience in EU, regulatory, competition or public administrative law, (including litigation for/against the State or public bodies, statutory appeal regimes and judicial review);
Experience in drafting and/or reviewing all aspects of public consultation papers, regulatory decision instruments, or secondary legislation;
Litigation experience, particularly in the High Court or Commercial Court and prosecutions in the District Court; and
Proven ability to operate collaboratively at all levels within an organisation providing accurate and timely counsel on a variety of legal topics.
Desirable
Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team;
Proven experience of operating at a management level including briefing senior management.
Core Competencies and Skills for the Role
In addition to your legal qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:
Communicating & Influencing: Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriately updated and notified.
Decision Making & Judgement: Effectively builds evidence base to support the decision-making process. Assesses alternative options. Uses judgement to adapt to specific and challenging requirements of the organisation.
Drafting: Uses a logical structure to draft documents. Communicates complex and technical information clearly and concisely. Ensures key messages are understood and have the desired impact on the target audience.
Planning & Organising: Establishes and monitors priorities, systematically differentiating between urgent, important and unimportant. Manages activities to deliver results. Meets objectives within predetermined time frames.
Teamwork: Promotes and enhances team performance through working collaboratively and in cooperation with others to achieve goals. Interacts in a manner that builds respect and fosters trust.
If you meet the criteria and are interested in applying, we would love to hear from you.
