Chief Legal Officer North East Lincolnshire Council

Transcription

1 North East Lincolnshire Council

2 North East Lincolnshire Council Introduction from the Chief Executive We are delighted you are considering becoming North East Lincolnshire s. The Council has two very clear priorities, to enable and facilitate the growth of a strong local economy and to build stronger, more resilient communities. We ve established a very clear strategic framework to assist with the achievement of our priorities, including an outcomes framework that seeks to galvanise a whole organisation and whole system approach to the growth and sustainability of our place. We have a proud heritage and we are also in the midst of a local economic resurgence, catalysed by the growth in our offshore wind/renewable energy sector and the Humber Energy Estuary. The Council, acting in its commissioning and enabling capacity has a significant and crucial role to play. In your capacity as our new, you will be instrumental in enabling activity, creating the right local conditions and supporting strategic relationships to enable us to achieve our ambition for growth, aspiration and achievement. If you are seeking out a new and exciting challenge; if you re enthused by the prospect of joining an authority that is transforming its operating model, embracing an agenda of whole system leadership, commissioning for outcomes and enabling the growth of place and if you are comfortable with the prospect of being part of a team that seeks to demonstrate values based, distributed and restorative leadership then we look forward to receiving your application. Rob Walsh Chief Executive

3 North East Lincolnshire Council About Us North East Lincolnshire is a relatively small yet diverse Borough. It comprises the towns of Grimsby and Immingham, the resort of Cleethorpes and the surrounding Wolds Villages. North East Lincolnshire Council is a unitary authority, serving a population of 158,000 people. The Council has two very clear priorities, to promote a stronger local economy and stronger communities. Our focus in respect of the local economy is straightforward: investment, jobs and skills. This part of the world is, rightly, the focus of much positive economic attention at the moment and one we want to build on. In respect of the stronger communities priority, our challenge is to establish a new relationship with the local community. This does mean a clear move away from being a paternalistic council, being the answer to everybody s problems. We must work with our partners to create confidence in communities, a culture of independence and personal responsibility. Building on our strong leadership team we are looking for an individual who has the confidence, skills, knowledge and experience to lead the legal services team and help steer our organisation through this period of significant transformation and make sure we continually challenge ourselves to achieve the best outcomes possible for our community. About the role Reporting to the Director of Governance, Democracy and Community Engagement, you will contribute to the leadership of the Council as part of the wider Leadership Team. We are looking to you to act as the Council s principal legal adviser and discharge the statutory duties of the Monitoring Officer, ensuring the Council fulfils its lawful obligations, statutory duties, and performs its functions and activities in accordance with the law and the principals of good governance. You will make sure we strike the right balance between ensuring we are a wellmanaged organisation and that we take managed risks where you can demonstrate you know the rewards will be worth it. You will be confident in your ability to challenge senior stakeholders and support Elected Members to deliver this agenda. Furthermore you will be expected to evidence experience of developing and implementing a business partnering approach, strong performance management culture and demonstrate a track record of success and delivery in leadership roles.

4 LEGAL SERVICES Team Manager Trainee Team Manager Trainee Legal Support Officer Legal Support Specialist Local Land Charges Officer LDS Support Officer Team Manager Legal Assistant

5 Internal Reference Role Profile Job Title Accountable To Grade Hay 4 63,405 Director of Governance, Democracy and Community Engagement 1. Overall Purpose of the Role To act as the Council s principal legal adviser and discharge the statutory duties of the Monitoring Officer, ensuring that the Council fulfils its lawful obligations, statutory duties, and performs its functions and activities in accordance with the law and the principles of good governance. Provide strategic direction and corporate leadership, acting as the guardian of corporate legal propriety. To take a proactive role in ensuring the Council s vision, values, priorities and strategic objectives are actively promoted and realised. To have overall responsibility for Legal Services and Coroners. 2. Responsibilities To be the chief legal advisor to the Council, Elected Members and Leadership Team on all legal matters, ensuring excellent and timely advice for managing council business and for strategic decision making. To advise and support the Standards Committee in the discharge of the Council s approved arrangements regarding the code of conduct, ethical standards and the role of the Independent Person. To be the guardian of the Council s Constitution, ensuring its continuous review and development in support of the achievement of the Council s strategic 1

6 objectives. Act as a Designated Officer in conjunction with the Council s Raising Concerns Policy. Be responsible for progressing Local Government Ombudsman complaints. To develop and maximise the opportunities for shared arrangements with North Lincolnshire Council. Oversee the management of the Coroner s service and provision of support to HM Coroner for the coronial district of North and North East Lincolnshire. Contribute to the development and implementation of council wide strategies and major projects ensuring that legal and probity issues are properly considered and addressed. Manage the legal services budget, allocating expenditure in accordance with agreed priorities. Lead on the identification of training and awareness requirements of Members and Employees to ensure updating on all relevant legal and governance issues. Act as Deputy Returning Officer, as required. To deputise for the Director Governance, Democracy and Community Engagement, as required. To undertake for the Chief Executive particular tasks or assignments relevant to the post holder s responsibilities, skills or qualifications as may, from time to time, be required.. 2

7 Person Specification: Essential Criteria Qualifications/Training Law Society Practising Certificate or Bar Standards Board Practising Certificate Degree or formal management qualification Evidence of continuing professional development Skills/Experience Able to demonstrate senior leadership success within a local authority or other complex organisation A sound understanding of corporate decision making, constitutional matters and the legal environment of local government A proven track record of providing proactive, expert, timely and authoritative legal advice and support to senior leaders and other stakeholders Demonstrable experience of commercial contracts A proven track record of developing and embedding best practice, innovation and continuous improvement in the delivery of legal services, including experience of shaping different models of service provision and delivery Experience of the successful management of a substantial legal department/function, demonstrating commercial awareness and business planning Experience of working collaboratively and creatively with internal and external partners Highly effective communicator, influencer and negotiator Outcome driven, with a strong commitment to the promotion of best practice and the development of a continuous improvement culture Knowledge, Understanding and Expertise Sound understanding of strategic management activities within local government or other complex organisation Sound working knowledge of the Standards of Conduct of Local Government An ability to provide expert legal opinion to establish practical and innovative solutions to complex legal, contractual or service delivery issues, utilising extensive knowledge of the legislative, regulatory and code of practice environment of local government Up-to-date working knowledge of enabling powers and funding regimes relevant to the Service Area s functions Ability to introduce legal frameworks within which commercial activities can be maximised by the Council Understanding of Information Governance requirements and the Data Protection Act Expertise in working collaboratively and creatively with multiple stakeholders to achieve common goals Queries For further information about the post please contact Helen Isaacs, Director of Governance, Democracy and Community Engagement on or Helen.isaacs@nelincs.gov.uk