Senior Legal Advisor – Retail Division

ComReg Overview

We are the statutory body responsible for regulating electronic communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. We are a professional, multi-disciplinary organisation, operating in a dynamic telecommunications environment that is constantly evolving. Our Mission – at the heart of everything we do – is to facilitate the development of a competitive communications sector in Ireland that attracts investment, encourages innovation and empowers consumers to choose and use communications services with confidence.

Retail and Consumer Services Division

The Retail and Consumer Services Division is responsible for key organisational functions in ComReg including consumer engagement, consumer policy, consumer care, the emergency call answering service, universal service provision, end-user dispute resolution, postal regulation and the regulation of premium rate services. A key aspect of the work of the division is to uphold consumer and other end-user rights and to ensure that regulated entities comply with their legal obligations.

The role and responsibilities

The Legal Advisor will work within a multi-disciplinary divisional team, which includes business analysts, industry experts, engineers, economists, accountants and other lawyers. This role reports to the Legal and Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager within the division and works with a talented and motivated Legal & ADR team comprising of solicitors, barristers, and dispute resolution specialists. The team works on a collaborative basis and the Legal Advisor has the opportunity to be directly involved in a broad range of high-profile and interesting work and have direct engagement with decision makers. Personal development is promoted and supported. There are plenty of opportunities for further on the job training and education along with opportunities to lead or be involved in cross-divisional projects.

This role responsibilities:

• 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, process and procedural requirements, the available options, and the associated legal risks;
• Review key documentation prepared in the Division or by external consultants prior to publication, and identify legal weaknesses and/or necessary changes;
• Draft regulatory instruments such as secondary legislation and decision instruments and draft elements of public consultation documents, including regulatory impact assessments;
• Minimise legal risk in respect of any proposed regulatory measure ensuring that it is supported by the facts and consistent with applicable law and the administrative process leading to the proposed measure is properly conducted;
• Prepare legal briefs for external lawyers, particularly in the context of litigation, and manage the ongoing provision of external advice;
• Contribute to the management of litigation as required, particularly in the context of appeals/judicial review and enforcement, including review and advice on correspondence, affidavits, expert reports and other documents required in the context of Court proceedings;
• 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;
• Contribute to organisation-level legal and regulatory policy issues, including by participating in cross-Divisional advisor meetings led by ComReg’s General Counsel.

Qualifications and Experience required

Essential

• A professional legal qualification and be enrolled and admitted as a Solicitor or Barrister in the State or equivalent;
• Strong experience in regulatory law, EU law, public administrative law, consumer law or competition law;
• 6+ years post-qualification experience or equivalent experience and competencies, in a law firm, as a practising barrister, as in-house counsel, as a legal advisor
• Experience in drafting and/or reviewing legal documentation
• Proven ability to operate collaboratively at all levels within an organisation providing accurate and timely advice on a variety of legal topics.

Desirable

• Experience working in the civil/public service, or within a sector-specific regulator or similar body.
• Litigation experience, particularly litigation for/against the State or public bodies, statutory appeals regimes and judicial review in the High Court (including its Commercial Division) and experience in criminal prosecutions in the District Court.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team;
• Experience in drafting and/or reviewing all aspects of public consultation papers and regulatory decisions, or legislation
• Proven experience of operating at a management level including briefing senior management; and
• A solid understanding of the policies which underpin sector-specific regulation, including market liberalisation, consumer protection and the promotion of competition.
• Proven experience working in the area of dispute resolution including advising parties to disputes, appearing before dispute resolution bodies, working as an adjudicator (or equivalent role) or advising a dispute resolution entity on the provision of dispute resolution services/functions.

Core Competencies & Skills for the Role

In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:

Analytical & Critical Thinking Objectively analyses and evaluates information in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.

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.

Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement – Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.

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.

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.

People Skills Uses interpersonal skills to create engagement and clarity. Manages conflict and implements practical solutions. Recognises the impact of own behaviour and adjusts as required. Actively develops others.

Our Package

We are offering an attractive package:

• Salary €84,531.22 – €105,680.24 * (Pay increases will be awarded annually subject to satisfactory performance)

• Dublin city centre location – IFSC

• Blended working environment

• 28 days Annual Leave per year increases with service

• Fully paid Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s leave

• Income protection scheme

• Education assistance and Training Opportunities

• Professional membership fee pay

• Attractive pension scheme

• ComWell Wellbeing Programme

• Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme

• Access to Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to a members run sports and social club

*(entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)