Commercial Solicitor - ABC12135

Aberdeen City Council; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Aberdeen City Council seeks a Commercial Solicitor to join its team. The successful applicant will provide high-quality legal services on commercial and procurement issues. This temporary, full-time position offers a dynamic and supportive work environment, enabling you to make a positive impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Admitted as a solicitor in Scotland with a current Practising Certificate.
• Up-to-date knowledge of legislation in Commercial and Procurement.
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a public sector environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on contracts and procurement to the Council.
• Represent the Council's interests in legal matters.
• Draft legal documents and provide strategic advice.

Skills

Commercial Awareness

Problem Solving

Effective Communication

Teamwork

Education

Solicitor in Scotland

Job description

Job Purpose:

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the Applicant Guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we're looking for.

Location: Woodhill House, Aberdeen

Duration: Temporary, Full Time

The Commercial and Procurement service has an exciting opportunity for a Solicitor to join its Commercial Legal team. The successful applicant will advise in connection with contracts, grants and commercial matters, including public procurement advice across the Council. The applicant would ideally have experience of the areas of law that impact upon the Council.

Experience of working for a public sector organisation would be desirable as would the practical application of procurement law. However, a demonstrable willingness to learn shall be considered. The workload will be varied, challenging and interesting - you will make a positive difference to the lives of people in Aberdeen. You will be supported in a collegiate environment and encouraged to develop a full range of legal and other skills. The Commercial Legal team provides advice to the officers of the Council on procurement, construction (city centre, beach, schools and affordable housing), social care, and any matter that may involve the business of the Council. Drafting and Commercial skills are essential to this role.

Roles that require PVG Membership

Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. (Teaching roles and jobs at Grade 11 and above (currently £30,285 per annum / £16.64 per hour)

The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee's first FULL month's salary payment.

Job purpose/about the role

As a Commercial Solicitor you will provide a professional and high quality legal service on commercial and procurement matters to the Council, and other bodies as authorised by the Council. In this role you will actively represent the Council's interests in legal matters whilst providing strategic advice and guidance on the potential lawful solutions to queries, including advice on managing risk.

The post holder needs to hold as a minimum:

• Admitted as a solicitor in Scotland and a current unrestricted Practising Certificate from the Law Society of Scotland
• An up to date knowledge of the legislation and practice in the Commercial and Procurement Services portfolio areas

The postholder is able to demonstrate:

• Provide succinct and commercially focussed advice and support to the Council and other bodies on a wide range of commercial legal issues
• Actively represent the Council's interests in legal matters to a high professional standard and in a manner which is flexible, accessible, approachable and solutions focused
• Demonstrate a creative approach to problem solving and the resolution of a wide range of legal and/or contentious issues of varying complexity
• Actively use effective communication skills to influence and resolve a wide range of legal issues of varying complexity
• Critically evaluate information, data, and situations to assist in problem solving
• Work as an effective part of a team and on own initiative
• Foster and maintain successful co-operative working relationships across all levels
• Evidence proficiency in analytical, research, investigative and drafting skills
• Work to tight deadlines, and proficiently adapt to the changing priorities and working practices of the Service and the Council as a whole

About Us

Please see Job Profile for further details.

Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Flexible Working

We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact [e-mail] .

Armed Forces

We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a silver award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. We have a specific email address for those in the forces, those who have left the forces, as well as their partners / spouses / families: [e-mail] . We are able to answer questions about jobs and our application / selection process, as well as about our employee support provisions.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our roles and who:

• have a disability
• are care-experienced and aged 16-29
• are aged 16-24 and live in Aberdeen City or have been to an Aberdeen City Council school and are applying for a Modern Apprenticeship (except Trades apprenticeships)
• have done a Foundation Apprenticeship with Aberdeen City Council and are applying for any apprenticeships relevant to the area in which they did their Foundation Apprenticeship
• are New Scots aged 16-24 and are applying for any apprenticeships

Further information can be found at https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/jobs