Governance Lawyer and Deputy Monitoring Officer

BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL; Camden Town; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking a Governance Lawyer to support good governance and provide legal advice to Members and Officers. Responsibilities include preparation of decision reports and acting as a Deputy Monitoring Officer. Candidates should be qualified Solicitors/Barristers or CILEX with a strong understanding of public law and excellent communication skills. This role offers flexible and hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working

Hybrid working arrangements

Free parking

Local government pension scheme

Learning and development

Staff recognition schemes

Health and wellbeing programme

Qualifications

• Significant experience advising on governance arrangements.
• Comprehensive understanding of public law principles and local government law.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support good governance and ensure lawful decision-making.
• Provide legal advice to Council Members and Officers.
• Prepare decision reports for Cabinet/Council.

Skills

Advising on good governance

Legal analysis

Building effective relationships

Strategic thinking

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX

Job description

Overview

£48,945 to £53,082 per annum. We have an exciting opportunity for a Governance Lawyer to join our team. The main purpose of your role will be to support the Monitoring Officer and wider team in maintaining good governance to ensure the Council's responsibilities are effectively managed and decisions are made in a lawful, clear and transparent manner. You will provide expert and legal advice to Members and Officers at all levels, leading on the preparation of decision reports to Cabinet/Council and key committees. You will support the development of governance processes and training to support the Council in compliance with legal practice and the Council’s Constitution. You will also act as a Deputy Monitoring Officer and aid and assist the Monitoring Officer in the discharge of their roles and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Support the Monitoring Officer and wider team in maintaining good governance and ensuring lawful, clear and transparent decision making. • Provide expert legal advice to Members and Officers at all levels. • Lead on the preparation of decision reports to Cabinet/Council and key committees. • Support the development of governance processes and training in line with legal practice and the Council’s Constitution. • Act as a Deputy Monitoring Officer and assist the Monitoring Officer in discharging their roles and responsibilities.

Qualifications and requirements

To be successful in this role, you will be a qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX. You will have significant experience of advising Members and Officers on good governance arrangements, with a detailed, comprehensive and practical understanding of public law principles, local government law, governance and constitutional issues. You will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to analyse complex information and present advice, reports and accounts clearly and credibly to a variety of audiences. You will have proven success in building and sustaining effective relationships, be resilient, tenacious and have the ability to think strategically and proactively, reassess tasks and devise solutions to meet changing priorities and tight deadlines.

About the Council

Braintree District Council is an ambitious and forward-thinking authority with a vision of creating a great place for our residents and businesses. As a Council our role is as a guardian of the place and its people; where residents live well in healthy and resilient communities; a well-connected district with high-quality homes delivered with the infrastructure and a place which attracts and provides good employment opportunities. We are becoming one of the fastest growing Districts in the East of England with three growing towns, London just 45 minutes away and the district located directly between the international transport centres of Stansted Airport and Harwich and Felixstowe International Ports. We have a deserved track record for delivering and a strong reputation within the business community and are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Our people see the difference they make and how the work they do actively contributes to and encourages positive change in the local community.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Hybrid working arrangements are available in this role (home/office based) subject to business need
• Free parking
• Local government pension scheme
• Learning and development for all staff
• Staff recognition schemes
• Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.