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- Tasks: Support governance and provide legal advice to ensure clear decision-making.
- Company: Braintree District Council, a forward-thinking authority committed to community well-being.
- Benefits: Flexible working, free parking, local government pension, and health programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in local governance while developing your legal expertise.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor/Barrister or CILEX with experience in public law and governance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team in a growing district with excellent career opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 48000 £ per year.
Overview
Location: Braintree, Essex
Salary: £48,945 to £53,082 per annum pro rata
Job Type: Full time, permanent
Closing date: Midnight on Thursday 9th October
Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Braintree Council to recruit this Governance Lawyer.
To apply for this role please click here: Governance Lawyer or visit https://www.braintree.gov.uk/join-our-team. Please DO NOT click the Apply button on the left.
About the role
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 Councils 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.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will 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.
With proven success in building and sustaining effective relationships, you will be resilient, tenacious and have the ability to think strategically and proactively, reassess tasks and devise solutions to meet changing priorities and tight deadlines.
Accountabilities
- To manage and maintain systems of good governance which ensure that the Council\’s responsibilities and decision-making processes are effectively managed and decisions are made in a lawful, clear and transparent manner, in accordance with the Council\’s constitution.
- Provide expert advice on behalf of the Monitoring Officer, to Members and Officers in relation to the discharge of their statutory functions.
- To lead on providing legal advice in response to queries raised by officers or councillors, and in particular legal governance advice, and to write and provide legal comments on reports to Cabinet, Cabinet Members, Council Committees and Chief Officers.
- Develop and deliver training and processes to support the organisation in compliance and governance through an approach that is both supportive and proactive.
- Devising and implementing new or updated methods, forms and processes as required by new legislation or guidance, revised council policy or as a result of other changes occurring.
- To take a leadership role in overseeing the production of reporting packs for key meetings including Full Council and Cabinet, ensuring quality of output and engagement by key report authors through the process.
- Provide support to the Monitoring Officer in the management of complaints received through the Code of Conduct Complaints process, including undertaking investigations into complaints where appropriate and liaison with the Councils Independent Person.
- Provide support and guidance to team members to manage the scrutiny process.
- To manage and maintain a decision and actions log arising from Council and Cabinet meetings, and ensure that all actions are assigned and completed in a timely manner.
- To attend meetings of the Council as required to provide legal and governance advice.
- To participate in the strategic management of the Governance and Legal department.
- This role is also eligible for appointment as a Deputy Monitoring Officer
Why choose Braintree District 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
Braintree District Council is a great place to work. We pride ourselves on our creative and innovative approach which is led by our staff. We are committed to having an engaged workforce who understand our strategy and how they can help deliver it. Some of the benefits of working for Braintree District Council are:
- Flexible working
- Free parking
- Local government pension scheme
- Learning and development for all staff
- Staff recognition schemes
- Extensive health and wellbeing programme including discounted gym membership.
What next?
If we sound like the right fit for you and you feel like the right fit for us, we would welcome your application. Please apply online here: Governance Lawyer
Closing date for receipt of applications: Midnight on Thursday 9th October
Please Note – Essex County Council is advertising this role on behalf of Braintree District Council and if successful you will be employed by Braintree District Council.
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Governance Lawyer - Braintree District Council employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Governance Lawyer - Braintree District Council
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the legal field, especially those who have experience with local government. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on governance issues and public law principles. We recommend practising common interview questions and having examples ready that showcase your expertise in advising on good governance arrangements.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! During the interview, be clear and concise when discussing complex legal concepts. Remember, you’ll need to present advice to various audiences, so demonstrate your ability to simplify the jargon.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your interest in supporting Braintree District Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Governance Lawyer - Braintree District Council
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Governance Lawyer. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what Braintree District Council is looking for.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your legal expertise and experience in governance. Provide specific examples of how you've advised on governance arrangements or dealt with public law principles in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Make sure your points are easy to read and get straight to the point. Remember, you’ll need to demonstrate those excellent written communication skills they’re after.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and shows your enthusiasm for joining the Braintree District Council team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Know Your Governance Stuff
Make sure you brush up on local government law and governance principles. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, especially when advising Members and Officers.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your excellent written and verbal communication skills. Think of examples where you've clearly presented complex legal advice or reports to different audiences, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Be Proactive and Strategic
Think about times when you've had to reassess tasks and come up with solutions under tight deadlines. Highlight your ability to think strategically and how you've implemented new processes in response to changing legislation.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss how you've built and maintained effective relationships in the past. Share specific examples that showcase your resilience and tenacity in fostering collaboration.
