Procurement & Contracts Lawyer

Civic Recruitment Limited; Harlow; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 120,000; Part time

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited is seeking a qualified solicitor or equivalent to support the local authority in procurement, contracts and commercial matters from Harlow. The role covers drafting and negotiating contracts, advising on procurement processes and regulatory compliance, with on-site duties for a three-month period.

Responsibilities include providing pragmatic legal advice, supporting governance, and representing the Council in appropriate forums.

Qualifications

• Qualified solicitor, barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with current practising certificate.
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex contracts and commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in Local Government Legal Services.
• Advocacy experience and ability to represent the Council in Courts/tribunals.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to the Council on procurement, contracts and commercial matters.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts and documents.
• Advise on procurement exercises, tender processes and contract award procedures.
• Represent the Council as Advocate where appropriate before Courts and tribunals.
• Attend governance meetings and prepare reports for Members and Officers.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, governance requirements and Lexcel standards.

Skills

Public Procurement

Commercial Contracts

Contract Law

Local Government Law

Advocacy

Legal Drafting

Governance

Communication

Independent Caseload

Negotiation

Education

Qualified Solicitor/Barrister/CHЕ with practising certificate

Tools

Lexcel accreditation processes

Job description

Harlow, United Kingdom | Posted on 07/10/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To assist the Specialist Lawyer – Commercial and Property in providing innovative, commercially focused and effective legal services that protect, support and advance the interests of the Council.

The postholder will provide specialist legal advice and support on procurement, contracts, commercial matters and associated non-contentious legal work, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, governance requirements and best practice. The role will support Members, Senior Officers, Directorates and Client Services by delivering high-quality legal advice and practical solutions to complex legal issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and assistance to the Council, Chief Officers, Senior Managers, Statutory Directors, Members and client departments.
• Manage a caseload of procurement, commercial and contract law matters.
• Advise on procurement exercises, tender processes and contract award procedures.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, agreements and legal documentation.
• Undertake conduct of non-contentious procurement, contract and company law matters.
• Provide legal support on ancillary commercial transactions and projects.
• Advise on compliance with procurement legislation, governance arrangements and regulatory requirements.
• Support Council departments in identifying and managing legal risks associated with commercial and procurement activities.
• Represent the Council as Advocate where appropriate before Courts and tribunals.
• Attend Committees, Sub-Committees, Board meetings and other governance meetings as legal advisor.
• Prepare legal reports, opinions, briefings and recommendations for Members and Officers.
• Keep up to date with developments in procurement, commercial and local government law and advise stakeholders accordingly.
• Support the development and delivery of Legal Services objectives and improvement initiatives.
• Assist with maintaining and supporting LEXCEL accreditation requirements.
• Ensure all legal work is conducted in accordance with professional standards, legislation and Council policies.
• Undertake statutory and delegated responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• Qualified Solicitor, Barrister or Chartered Legal Executive with current practising certificate.
• Public Procurement
• Commercial Contracts
• Contract Law
• Local Government Legal Matters
• Experience drafting and negotiating complex contracts and commercial agreements.
• Strong knowledge of procurement legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to provide clear, practical and commercially focused legal advice.
• Experience managing a varied legal caseload independently.
• Strong legal research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with senior officers, elected members and stakeholders.
• Experience preparing legal reports, opinions and governance documentation.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Experience working within Local Government Legal Services.
• Advocacy experience.
• Experience advising Committees, Boards and Member meetings.
• Knowledge of company law and commercial transactions.
• Experience contributing to LEXCEL accreditation and quality assurance processes.
• Knowledge of property-related commercial legal matters.

Additional Information

• Location: Harlow (Minimum 3 Days Per Week On Site)