JOB DESCRIPTION. Principal Lawyer Corporate Governance / Monitoring Officer. Huntingdon / Northampton / Shefford OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Office: Team: Reports to: Location: Principal Lawyer Corporate Governance / Monitoring Officer LGSS Law Limited Litigation Head of Litigation Huntingdon / Northampton / Shefford Hours: 37 OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB To provide legal advice and strategic insight to client officers and councillors on the legal aspects of the council s business and commercial activities, ensuring fully-informed, lawful and effective decision-making, supporting Council priorities. Additionally, in the context of the Monitoring Officer remit of the role, provide appropriate and professional legal, standards and governance advice to Members of the Council and to the Council Leadership Team. To contribute to the success of LGSS Law by being an ambassador for LGSS Law and ensuring that our clients are provided with proactive and responsive legal advice and support and to support the development of the business in line with its strategy of growth. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES This is a new role within LGSS Law and has arisen due to the increasing demand for advice and support in the context of what might be broadly termed corporate and governance legal matters. This is a wide and varied which given the range and size of our clients means the work is always interesting. The Principal Lawyer role will also be designated as Monitoring Officer for one of our shareholder clients and in this regard will undertake the role with support from other LGSS Law colleagues who provide governance and corporate legal support across a number of client authorities. LGSS Law also support client organisations within the health sector such as Clinical Commissioning Groups and the post-holder may be called to advise other clients subject to there being no conflict of interest. Page 1

2 Provide legal advice to client councils and other organisations with a view to ensuring that their processes and projects are robust and able to resist successful legal challenge. To proactively highlight areas of emerging legal risk either directly relating to specific projects or proposals or more generally as legal risks within the context of the legal framework in which local government operates. To identify when specialist external advice is required, to advise the client on who to use and to brief the external provider in writing and in conference. Where appropriate, negotiate or mediate in order to resolve disputes whilst limiting the exposure to risk of costs. To provide advice on issues of ethical conduct within the organisation and to conduct investigations or instruct others to do so. To marshal evidence and present at hearings as necessary. To undertake awareness with elected members to ensure that they are briefed on the standards expected of them in public life and dealing with complaints about Member conduct. This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder. Page 2

3 PERSON SPECIFICATION POSITION: Principal Lawyer Corporate Governance / Monitoring Officer REPORTS TO: Head of Litigation LOCATION: Huntingdon / Northampton / Shefford The following criteria are appropriate for this post. You must meet the essential criteria in order to be shortlisted for the post and it would be advantageous if you meet the desirable criteria. QUALIFICATIONS Degree minimum 2:2. A fully-qualified Solicitor or Barrister with current practicing certificate. Evidence of continued professional, managerial and personal development. 3 years PQE N.B. relevant pre-qualification experience may be included. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE Excellent understanding of relevant legislation and case law. Experience of operating in a political environment. Awareness and understanding of local government operations. Experience of advising on governance and/or decision making in the local government context. Experience of advising at project board level. Desirable Experience of successful business development and engagement with a range of stakeholders. Page 3

4 Experience of working for multiple clients on fully cost basis. An understanding of local government legal issues and the role of Monitoring Officer. An understanding of political process related to local government EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & HEALTH & SAFETY Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and other people s behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs. ATTRIBUTES The successful candidate would need to demonstrate the following attributes: Strategic Think conceptually and see the bigger picture - a strategic approach to legal issues and provision of legal advice and guidance is essential. Forge a climate where constructive challenge and the voicing of creative ideas are encouraged. Commitment to and understanding of equalities issues, and tenacity and resilience to see things through. Able to demonstrate political awareness and sensitivity. Commerciality - Business like A commercial outlook and approach, recognising importance of value for money. Ability to recognise and support the LGSS Law business model. Data analytics - Evidence-based An outcome and performance focus. Encourage others to support their thinking with credible data. Page 4

5 Influencing - Collaborative Creativity and imagination in seeing new approaches, painting the vision. Ability to gain the confidence of all stakeholders. Able to work effectively in cooperation and partnership with a wide range of organisations. Excellent communication and negotiating skills with the ability to present complex issues in a simple and easy to understand way. GENERAL INFORMATION Job holders will be expected to be flexible in their duties. This is a politically restricted post and the post holder cannot be elected as a Councillor in any local authority. Page 5