Contracts Lawyer x4

Islington Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 31 days leave per year

Flexible working arrangements

London Living Wage

Local government pension scheme

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts from local services

Job summary

Islington Council is seeking four Contracts Lawyers to join its in-house Legal Services team in London. The role focuses on drafting and negotiating contracts and providing procurement advice to internal services, with a strong emphasis on compliance and risk management.

The successful applicants will be qualified solicitors, barristers or FILEX, able to work collaboratively in a high-performing team and adapt to a rapidly changing public sector environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified professional to work in-house on contracts and procurement.
• Experience drafting and negotiating contracts and providing procurement advice.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate contracts across services.
• Provide contracts and procurement advice to internal teams.
• Identify potential risks and ensure compliance with relevant laws and governance.
• Adapt to a fast-paced public sector environment and prioritise workloads.

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract negotiation

Procurement advice

Public sector law

Education

Qualified solicitor, barrister or FILEX

Job description

About The Role

Job Overview

Following a recent reorganisation, exciting opportunities have arisen within Legal Services for four dedicated, enthusiastic Contracts Lawyers. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and have a passion for public service, this could be your next career step.

Main duties of the job

The primary function of the post will be to work collaboratively with colleagues across services dealing with drafting and negotiating contracts and providing contracts and procurement advice.

We are looking for a qualified solicitor, barrister or FILEX to join our high-performing in-house team as a Contracts Lawyer, specialising in contracts and procurement related legislation. You will have to be highly motivated and a team player.

Working for our organisation

You will be working within the contracts team within the legal services department responsible for dealing with both contentious and non-contentious contracts and procurement matters including identifying potential risks, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and governance and resolving disputes arising from contract breaches.

The post has a number of key duties but also involves responding to a rapidly changing environment. You must be adaptable, flexible and able to prioritise tasks on a daily basis.

For further information or for an informal conversation about the post, please contact:

Name and Job Title: Laura Avery, Head of Legal - Planning, Property and Contracts

Email: [email]islington.gov.uk

Note to Recruitment Agencies:

We kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. We are managing the recruitment process internally and will reach out directly should we require external support. Thank you for your understanding.

About You

Working for the team, service and our organisation

Islington is a place rich with diversity and culture. As a council our sense of purpose couldn't be clearer: we serve. It's in the logo. We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people.

Together we can change the future.

We are determined to create a more equal Islington, where everyone who lives here has an equal chance to thrive.

To do this, everyone who works at Islington Council lives by a set of values which guide us in everything we do: collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering. They spell out 'CARE', which is what we think public service is all about.

Our offer to you

We are committed to challenging inequality in the borough and as one of the largest employers we know that to look after the place and the planet, we have to look after our people. Our staff benefits include:

• Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
• A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
• Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
• Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
• Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!

Please note:

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Islington Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.

Workforce Equality, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable workforce, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Our workforce strategy places equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, reaffirming our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion. We strive to create an environment where all colleagues feel they belong and can safely express their thoughts, ideas, and challenges, without fear of judgement or discrimination.

We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any unlawful discrimination, harassment, or victimisation on the grounds of any protected characteristics under the 2010 Equality Act, including but not limited to race, disability, sexual orientation, sex, religion and belief, age, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, and maternity. Any incidents of discrimination will be promptly investigated and addressed in line with our HR policies to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all colleagues.

We use data to identify and address disparities, ensuring that our policies and practices are transparent and impactful in promoting a diverse representation of backgrounds and perspectives at all levels of the organisation. We look at inequality through an intersectional lens, recognising that different aspects of someone’s identity can combine to create unique experiences of discrimination and disadvantage.

We know that advancing diversity and inclusion is a continuous journey, and we must listen to our colleagues and learn where we can further improve. We work closely with our Colleague Forums and Trade Unions, supported by active allies from our Corporate Management Team, to monitor and evaluate our practices, identify barriers, and empower colleagues to promote equality and inclusion in the workplace.

Every one of us has a role to play in making Islington Council a truly inclusive workplace. By living out our CARE (collaborative, ambitious, resourceful, and empowering) values every day and embedding the principles of equality, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work, we can all actively contribute to empowering people and creating a more equal Islington.

Pre-Employment Checks

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Proof of address
• Evidence of any name changes (if applicable)
• Right to work in the UK
• Overseas criminal record check (if applicable)
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level (if applicable)

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Disability Confident Scheme

Islington Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria and we are committed to providing support to applicants who request reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process and throughout their career with us.