Interim Legal and Governance Officer - Greater Essex Combined County Authority

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an Interim Legal and Governance Officer to provide legal advice, ensure governance compliance, and shape effective strategic priorities. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience in local government law and excellent communication skills. This is a temporary full-time role with a maximum duration of 12 months, offering competitive daily rates or a salary within the specified range.

Qualifications

• Experience providing legal/governance support in local government or similar environments.
• Strong understanding of decision-making and constitutional frameworks.
• Strong political awareness and judgement.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal and governance advice supporting lawful, transparent and effective decision-making.
• Assist in developing and implementing governance frameworks and constitutional documents.
• Support Monitoring Officer duties and ensure statutory compliance.

Skills

Expert knowledge in legal/governance fields

Strong communication skills

Analytical and organisational skills

Job description

Interim Legal and Governance Officer - Greater Essex Combined County Authority

External Partner

Temporary,Full Time (Maximum 12 months)

Temporary or FTC/Secondment (Salary within advert)

Location: Countywide

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

Salary Information: Temporary up to £500 per day (umbrella, Inside IR35) or FTC/Secondment from £58,332 to £68,626 per annum

Overview

Greater Essex is entering a transformative period through devolution, aimed at simplifying governance, improving service delivery, and empowering communities. Under the proposed changes, powers and funding will be transferred from central government to a new Mayoral Combined County Authority, enabling more local control over key areas such as transport, housing, and economic development.

This role will play a critical part in ensuring the new Greater Essex Combined County Authority, one of the largest County Combined Authority, is set up effectively, with the robust governance, strategies, policies and frameworks required to meet statutory and legal obligations. They will establish strong foundations that enable the organisation to accelerate its strategic priorities at pace. To achieve this, postholders will need to build effective relationships and networks across central and local government, partners, businesses and residents, and bring the business, commercial and political acumen needed to translate strategy into meaningful action.

Purpose of the Role

• Provide legal and governance advice supporting lawful, transparent and effective decision-making.
• Assist in developing and implementing governance frameworks and constitutional documents.
• Support Monitoring Officer duties and ensure statutory and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to organisational resilience, risk management and democratic accountability.
• Help shape a collaborative, high-integrity organisational culture.
• Build partnerships and work across the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to drive inward investment, secure funding from government, and ensure value for money in all financial commitments.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Governance Frameworks

• Support delivery of legal, governance and compliance functions.
• Act as the designated scrutiny officer for the CCA, ensuring compliance and effective oversight.
• Contribute to governance policy and system development.
• Maintain legal and governance processes, systems and documentation.
• Support compliance checks and reporting within the Assurance Framework.
• Provide timely, accurate advice to officers and elected members once appointed

Legal Advisory

• Draft, review and support negotiation of contracts and agreements.
• Support data protection duties and organisational compliance.
• Provide legal and governance advice across organisational workstreams.
• Advocate for Greater Essex and support policy influence.
• Support design and scaling of governance strategies.
• Manage risks, provide assurance and support business case development.

People, Culture & Collaboration

• Work collaboratively, sharing knowledge and supporting team development.
• Promote high standards of conduct for members and officers.

Statutory Duties

• Support Monitoring Officer statutory functions.
• Assist in embedding GDPR and data protection processes.
• Provide procurement and committee governance support.
• Act as the interim Combined County Authority’s Scrutiny Officer

Candidate Profile (Essentials)

• Evidence of CPD and expert knowledge in legal/governance fields.
• Experience providing legal/governance support in local government or similar environments.
• Strong understanding of decision-making and constitutional frameworks.
• Strong political awareness and judgement.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Analytical, organised and resilient, with strong prioritisation skills.
• Experience applying local government law and supporting committees/boards.

*Please note: All role dimensions (budget, line reports, etc) will be established and subject to change during the set-up stage of the interim Combined County Authority

This role is being recruited on behalf of Southend-on-Sea City Council, Thurrock Council and Essex County Council. This appointment is being managed by Essex Shared Services. Should you have any enquiries or would like to request a confidential discussion please contact Samantha Myddelton on ([e-mail] 0333 013 0098) or Sadie Orwell ([e-mail] 0333 032 2356).

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the application or recruitment process, please get in touch with Essex Shared Services at [e-mail]

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a CV and supporting statement. Click ‘APPLY’ to begin your application

Closing date for applications: 14th December 2025 at 23:59pm