Senior Contracts Lawyer

Overview

Purpose: To handle more complex contract work arising and in particular deputise for the Principal Lawyer as appropriate. This will include advice and assistance with legal documentation and negotiation with partners or preferred bidders in relation to joint commissioning initiatives with the Health Authority or local authorities. Support the Principal Lawyer in advising and drafting contracts and protocols on a wide range of public private partnership arrangements. Provide advice on more complex procurement and tender documentation.

Responsibilities

• Ensure that legal advice and assistance is provided efficiently and expeditiously both personally and by other staff within the Team.
• Manage and co-ordinate the work of staff and provide advice, guidance and direction as necessary.
• Deputise for the Principal Lawyer as required.
• Manage a group of staff within the Team on a day to day basis, as required by the Principal Lawyer.
• Undertake as required (and in particular in any major work area allocated), a personal caseload of the more complex contract advice, and agreement preparation work.
• Deal with the preparation of complex or unique forms of contract, specialised agreements, advise on any matters of contract law and prepare other complex or unusual documentation as above.
• Work flexibly as part of the Contracts Team and be willing to offer support and assistance to other lawyers in the wider Legal team as required.
• Act as legal advisor to Members and Officers in connection with procedures or matters arising from the Committees attended and participate in the formulation of policy proposals for presentation to Committees.
• Deal with Ombudsman cases.
• Attend Committees, as directed, to give such legal and general advice as may be necessary.
• Draft reports to Committee, if required, both on general departmental matters, and on specific items connected with own work.
• Scrutinize reports drafted by other directorates and consider legal implications of their committee reports, contributing as appropriate.
• Introduce new procedures, as required, arising from new legislation, and improvements in efficiency or otherwise, in consultation with other affected departments and prepare any necessary documentation.
• Keep abreast of all current legislation and professional requirements and inform and instruct colleagues as necessary.
• Present training courses and seminars for Members, Officers and others as necessary.
• Undertake employment performance evaluation interviews on a regular basis for staff within the Contracts team and ensure that adequate training and development is provided to staff under Senior Lawyer's supervision.
• Assist the Principal Lawyer in respect of Service Level Agreement negotiating and liaison with clients.
• Promote the image of Legal Services and assist in marketing Legal Services.
• Co-operate and assist with any external review of performance, including by the Audit Commission and/or external inspectors and/or auditors.

Requirements

• Substantial practical relevant experience of the appropriate area of work set out.
• Experience of undertaking an extensive and varied legal caseload proficiently at a senior level.
• Experience of managing staff and of ensuring performance of work programmes and objectives within strict legislative and other timescales.
• Advanced and substantial knowledge of the particular area of law and knowledge of its application.
• Knowledge of progressive strategic and operational management practice.
• An advanced understanding of the issues facing local government and an ability to rise to them.
• Knowledge of practice and procedure in Courts, tribunals and Inquiries.