Senior Legal Advisor

Law Society; Dublin; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading electoral commission in Ireland is seeking a Senior Legal Advisor to provide comprehensive legal support across various areas including Constitutional, Electoral, and Employment Law. The role involves advising the Chief Executive, drafting policies, and managing legal documentation. Candidates must have a legal background, significant experience, and the ability to communicate in Irish. This position offers a dynamic work environment with initiatives supporting work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' post qualification experience.
• Experience in administrative and constitutional law.
• Proven ability to draft complex legal documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to An Coimisiún.
• Manage and develop Legal team staff.
• Liaise with external stakeholders.

Skills

Providing sound legal advice

Contract law

Public procurement processes

Data protection

Communicating in Irish

Education

Solicitor enrolled in State or practicing Barrister

Relevant law experience

Job description

Working with An Coimisiún If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference, this is it. The position offers a unique opportunity for an ambitious and enthusiastic individual to work within Ireland’s independent electoral commission. With a passion for all things electoral matters, the successful applicant will be joining the newly established Legal team as Senior Legal Advisor (AP) and will be responsible for a number of key functions within the Legal Team. You will be working in an inclusive and dynamic environment, where your wellbeing and self-development is supported by a number of work-life balance initiatives including blended working, continuous professional development and wellbeing. Given the size of the organisation, there is and will continue to be significant cross-functional working and collaboration across the organisation.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Legal, the Senior Legal Advisor will support An Coimisiún and the Chief Executive in the effective delivery of its strategic priorities and legislative mandate and will take an active role in all legal aspects of An Coimisiún’s functions. The Senior Legal Advisor will be primarily focussed on providing sound, solution-focused legal advice and support to An Coimisiún and the Chief Executive on all aspects of An Coimisiún’s functions. The position offers a fulfilling and responsible role in an interesting and busy environment dealing with a diversity of legal issues including but not limited to, Constitutional, Electoral, Privacy and Media Law as well as Data Protection and Corporate Governance.

The scope of the role will extend to Contract, Employment and European Law and may expand as the functions of An Coimisiún develop further. The Senior Legal Advisor will play an important and ongoing role in advising and supporting An Coimisiún in exercising its forthcoming powers under Parts 4 and 5 of the Electoral Reform Act, both in terms of preparation, and once commenced, working closely with the Head of Supervision and Enforcement. They will also draft policy, lead on litigation and liaise with external legal advisors and manage associated budgets when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Via the Head of Legal, provide legal advice to the Chairperson and members of An Coimisiún in relation to any legal issue arising in the discharge of their statutory functions;
• Provide legal advice to the Chief Executive of An Coimisiún where directed in relation to any legal issue arising in the discharge of their statutory functions;
• Respond to legal queries arising from all units within An Coimisiún where directed and provide advice as required;
• Procure and/or engage with external specialist services and stakeholders as necessary;
• Provide legal advice and policy paper preparation including analysis and observations on current legal positions and potential recommendations;
• Providing legal advice on and undertaking An Coimisiún Toghcháin compliance and enforcement functions including through representation in the Courts;
• Lead and manage the performance and development of staff reporting to you within the Legal team;
• Liaise and maintain effective and professional relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external);
• Manage risk, Freedom of Information requests, budgets and other governance arrangements;
• Undertaking speaking engagements and representing An Coimisiún at events, nationally and internationally;
• Carrying out such other functions as may be required from time to time to fulfil the business objectives of An Coimisiún and as appropriate to the grade.

Legal advice will include but not be limited to:

• Administrative and constitutional law;
• Assisting with the drafting of requests for tenders and contracts;
• Advice relating to employment law and contract law;
• FOI and data protection;
• Public procurement processes;
• General statutory interpretation;
• Principles of due process and fair procedures;
• Human rights law.

The responsibilities outlined above should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to or altered as required, in line with the requirements of An Coimisiún.

Candidates must, on or before 25 September 2025:

• Be enrolled as a solicitor in the State or be a practicing Barrister registered with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority of Ireland;
• Have at least 3 years significant relevant post qualification experience as a practising Barrister or Solicitor in the State, or in-house counsel in the public, private or third sector, with a strong record of professional achievement;
• Have significant experience of providing substantive legal opinions to a high level in at least three of the following areas of law; Irish Constitutional law, Administrative law, Contract law, Employment law, European Union law, Regulatory Law, Civil or Criminal enforcement and/or the law of Procurement;
• Have experience of administrative enforcement regimes and investigations (civil and/or criminal) including experience of litigation arising from enforcement or investigations;
• Have a proven ability to operate collaboratively at all levels within an organisation providing accurate, timely and clear advice on a variety of legal topics;
• Have significant experience in drafting and/or reviewing complex legal documentation such as regulatory decisions or procedures, legislation or consultation documentation and contracts;
• Experience of the administrative and organisational aspects of a functioning legal office including the use of legal research tools;
• Have a strong focus on delivery and results with an ability to work dynamically in a pressurised/complex environment where urgent and/or challenging timelines can arise.
• A commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy and an understanding of the environment within which An Coimisiún operates;
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience in law relating to An Coimisiún, above the essential requirements;
• The ability to communicate effectively in Irish.

The application form must be completed and must outline why you wish to be considered for the post and how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the position. Only applications fully completed and submitted will be accepted into the competition.

Please note latest receipt for applications is closing date 25 September 2025 at 5:30pm.

Incomplete applications, postal applications or CVs will not be accepted. Any applications received after the closing date and time will not be considered.

An acknowledgement email will be issued for all applications received. If you do not receive acknowledgement of your application within two working days of submission, please [e-mail] to ensure your application has been received.

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