Solicitor to the Parliament in Edinburgh

Are you looking for an exciting new challenge at the heart of democracy in Scotland?

Our vision is to make a positive difference to the lives of the people of Scotland. A key priority for the Scottish Parliament is to ensure we’re continuing to meet the needs of MSPs, the Parliament and the public. We strive to deliver our services and facilities effectively and efficiently, always putting people at the centre of what we do.

The Solicitor to the Parliament is a key member of the senior staff of the Parliamentary Service and provides legal advice to the Clerk/Chief Executive, the Presiding Officer and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. This critical role touches on every aspect of the work of the Parliament, including our interface with Government and external bodies.

The successful candidate will lead a dedicated team of parliamentary lawyers and shape our future legal services. The Parliament is a vibrant, fast-paced, and dynamic organisation supported by excellent staff dedicated to delivering our services. We have high levels of staff motivation and commitment, as well as an iconic working environment, making the Parliament an excellent place to work.

The Solicitor to the Parliament is a key post in the Scottish Parliamentary Service. You will be a trusted, impartial counsel who is comfortable in ranging across highly diverse subject matters. You will relish the opportunity to lead the team that provides high quality, practicable legal advice on the most contentious or sensitive issues, often operating under considerable time constraints.

Within the public sector it is essential we deliver high quality sustainable results, and we achieve this using our skills and resources efficiently and effectively. You will work with the Parliamentary Business Leadership Team to deliver our ambitious agenda, with a particular focus on continuous improvements in the services we provide to support the work of Parliament.

We are looking for a person who can excel both as a legal advisor and as an organisational leader who can deliver change and inspire colleagues.

About the role:

• Help the Scottish Parliament make a difference to the lives of the people of Scotland.
• Working in the heart of Scottish democracy, you’ll strategically lead the Legal Office in the Scottish Parliament.
• You’ll be an experienced qualified solicitor with an active practicing certificate in Scotland (or an ability to gain one quickly) with significant experience of leading effective and efficient legal services.
• Integrity to uphold personal and professional standards will be vital to ensure the impartiality required in this role and forge trusted relationships.
• You’ll work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels and externally.
• You’ll convey sensitive or complex legal and other issues clearly and succinctly.
• A strategic thinker, with outstanding influencing skills, and someone who can instil confidence at senior levels.
• You’ll provide strategic leadership on legal issues across the full range of parliamentary activity.
• A strong understanding of Parliamentary law and operation, or an ability to develop this quickly, is a requirement.
• You’ll have outstanding people management skills and proven experience of motivating and inspiring multi-functional teams.
• You’ll have a proven track record of working inclusively with a diverse range of people and groups.
• You’ll have outstanding mentoring and coaching skills and be passionate about contributing to an inclusive and collaborative working culture which values diversity and encourages openness.
• You’ll have a well-honed ability to identify, assess and mitigate risk, both in regard to horizon scanning and live crisis management.
• You’ll have an awareness of the importance of impartiality and will understand that your role is to support all politicians on an equal basis.

Key responsibilities:

• Providing high quality professional legal and operational advice as the principal legal adviser to the Parliament, including to the Presiding Officer, the SPCB, the Clerk/Chief Executive, Senior Executive Team and parliamentary committees.
• Leading and directing, or personally undertaking, a range of activities, some of which may be considered complex and politically sensitive as well as being novel and contentious in nature.
• Ensuring a robust management structure and business continuity arrangements are in place within your operational areas with effective performance, financial governance, scrutiny and assurance.