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APPENDIX G

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: LEGAL OFFICER

SERVICE: GOVERNANCE

TEAM: LEGAL SERVICES

LOCATION: HQ, CHESTER

REPORTS TO: STRATEGIC LEGAL MANAGER – CONTRACTS AND GOVERNANCE

GRADE: 8

DATE: NOVEMBER 2015

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE:

To provide legal and procedural advice and legal services in the most effective and efficient way to ensure high quality legal advice on such matters as you are assigned by the Head of Governance, Strategic Legal Manager or Legal Manager.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Undertake legal work (briefing Counsel as necessary) in order to protect and further the objectives of departments and services to ensure the Council’s policies and decisions and instructions from clients are carried out accurately and within the timescale set.

B. Deliver legal advice to directors, senior managers and their staff to ensure that policy is formulated and operational decisions are taken on a sound legal basis.

C. Provide advice guidance and training to other legal staff, administrative support, clients and external bodies in order that departments, services and outside bodies as appropriate receive effective and high quality legal advice and services.

D. Identify research and anticipate the effects on service provision of new developments in the law to ensure that Service Departments are able to adopt best practice and deliver timely and responsive services.

E. Support senior colleagues in preparing and providing training for Members, Departments and Services and staff to improve understanding of legal and service issues and the quality of service provision.

F. Contribute to achieving and maintaining LEXCEL accreditation.

G. Notwithstanding the detail in this job description, the job holder will take responsibility for or provide support for such legal or corporate projects as may be assigned by the Head of Governance, Strategic Legal Manager or Legal Manager up to or at a level consistent with the main duties and responsibilities of the job and in any location within the Borough. This will form part of the overall work package for the role which will be reviewed from time to time.

H. The current areas of work of the team which are relevant to this post are:

• Contracts and procurement

• Contract management and performance

• Consultation requirements

• Company Law

• Major projects

• Partnership arrangements

• Local Government and information law

CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: LEGAL OFFICER

DIRECTORATE: RESOURCES

SERVICE: LEGAL AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES

|CRITERIA |ESSENTIAL |DESIRABLE |

| |ILEX qualification Associate (part 1) or comparable |Obtained or working towards full ILEX |

| |practical experience |qualification (Fellowship) |

|QUALIFICATIONS | | |

| |Good experience in relevant legal practice |Understanding of the requirements of a |

| | |political environment |

|EXPERIENCE |Ability to run own caseload from instructions to | |

| |completion. |A good knowledge and understanding of handling |

| | |contract matters Some experience of advising on|

| |Proven experience of interpreting, handling, drafting |local authority procurement and the tender |

| |and negotiating contracts or other legal agreements in |process, |

| |a legal setting; | |

| | |Experience of working in a Local Government |

| | |environment |

| | | |

| | | |

| |Good interpersonal and communication skills (including |A good knowledge and understanding of relevant |

| |the ability to negotiate) |law and practice. |

|SKILLS AND APTITUDES | | |

| |Good customer care skills |Presentation and training skills including the |

| | |ability to provide (under supervision), advice,|

| |Innovative and analytical thinker |training and support to councillors on matters |

| | |of ethical standards. |

| |Ability to work to deadlines | |

| | | |

| |Good personal organisational skills and ability to | |

| |prioritise work | |

| | | |

| |Flexible approach | |

| | | |

| |Computer literate including ability to undertake legal | |

| |research via the internet and to operate email and | |

| |electronic diaries using standard packages | |

| | | |

| |Ability to work independently on a variety of routine | |

| |legal work undertaken by the legal service including | |

| |providing legal advice to officers of the council on | |

| |areas of Local Government Law allocated | |

| | | |

| |Ability to research and disseminate the effects of new | |

| |developments in the law | |

| | | |

| |Ability to use case management software effectively | |

| |Confidence |Ability to work on own initiative |

| | | |

| |Assertiveness | |

|PERSONAL QUALITIES | | |

| |Ability to work within a team | |

| | | |

| |Ability to work under pressure | |

| | | |

| |Ability to work with internal and external clients | |

| | | |

| |Reliable | |

| | | |

| |Conscientious | |

| | | |

| |Ability to maintain confidentiality | |

| | | |

| |Ability to work with the external advisers of third | |

| |parties | |

| | | |

| |Ability to travel around the Borough | |

|OTHER REQUIREMENTS | | |

| |Ability to attend evening meetings when required | |

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