Junior Legal Counsel


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£46,310 to £52,113 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	London, E14 4PU
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	15 Oct 2026
Closing date:	29 Oct 2026

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Summary

Reporting to a Senior Legal Counsel, you will be expected to: Provide legal advice primarily in the areas of life sciences, information law and public health law; Support the Commercial, Vaccines and Countermeasures Department (CVCD) vaccine sector industry engagement programme, including the Moderna/UK Strategic Partnership; Support UKHSAs scientific teams and business development teams on contractual and regulatory matters, including a range of commercial agreements typical to the life sciences sector; Advise on data protection and freedom of information matters; Provide legal support to outbreak management activities, including the lawfulness of information sharing, and the interpretation and application of public health legislation; Demonstrate good communication and collaboration skills when working with internal stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams; Manage a varied caseload and work with internal clients, government lawyers, external law firms and counsel as required; Contribute to the wider team by taking a proactive role in areas such as knowledge management, training and projects; and Work flexibly across different legal disciplines and undertake such other duties as required. This is not an exhaustive list. Essential criteria Newly qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate and admitted to the roll of solicitors in England and Wales (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority). Demonstrable interest and experience in life sciences (including intellectual property, commercial contracts and regulatory requirements), information law (including data protection and Freedom of Information) and public health law. Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied caseload effectively. Sound legal judgement, analytical ability and an appreciation of legal risk, with the confidence to provide clear, balanced and risk-based advice. A solutions-focused and commercially minded approach, with the ability to think strategically, understand the wider context of legal issues, and respond in an agile and timely way. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly, confidently and sensitively with stakeholders, including those unfamiliar with legal processes and concepts. Desirable criteria Experience of working in an in-house legal team. An understanding of the government and wider public sector context, or experience in a similar size organisation Selection process This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience and technical skills. Stage 1: Application & Sift You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7 essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form of: an application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application) a 1500 wordsupporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Newly qualified solicitor with a current practising certificate and admitted to the roll of solicitors in England and Wales (regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority). Demonstrable interest and experience in life sciences (including intellectual property, commercial contracts and regulatory requirements), information law (including data protection and Freedom of Information) and public health law. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a remote interview via MS Teams. Behaviours, experience and technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Working together (Lead behaviour) Communicating and influencing Managing a quality service Interview dates are to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Core HQ in London (Canary Wharf). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) on-site. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC). Eligibility criteria Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Security clearance level requirement Part 1 Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed. Part 2 Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. Salary information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

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