Assistant Contracts Lawyer

Transcription

1 Hammersmith & Fulham borough of opportunity Assistant Contracts Lawyer Assistant Chief Executive Application Pack 1

2 Information for applicants Job Description Selection Criteria 2

3 London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Job Description Designation: Assistant Contracts Lawyer (PO3-4)/Senior Contracts Lawyer (PO5) Post No: L90055 Department: ACE - Legal Section or service: Legal Services - Commercial Responsible to (designation): Head of Legal Services Employees directly supervised (if any): None Structure Chart: HLS AHLS Principal Lawyer (Contracts) Assistant Lawyer (Contracts) Legal Secretary x1 3

4 1. Job Purpose: 1.1 To deal with and advise upon a variety of legal work in connection with contractual matters relating to the Council s statutory functions, including the Best Value process and procedures. 2. Description of Duties: 2.1 At all times to carry out all duties with due regard to the Council s Equal Opportunities Policy. 2.2 To deal, under the minimum supervision, with the contractual work of the Section as allocated which includes:- (a) (b) (c) To draft and settle the terms of contracts arising from the Council s Statutory functions. To advise in connection with Contract disputes, including litigation or arbitration. To research and advise members and other departments on all matters arising out of the Best Value Process and from other contractual matters and to contribute to inter-departmental working on these issues. 2.3 To be aware of and keep up-to-date with changes in legislation, EU Directives and case law affecting the range of matters carried out by the postholder and to assist in disseminating this across the Council. 2.4 To prepare the division s contribution to Cabinet/Cabinet Member reports on matters dealt with by the postholder. 2.5 To represent the Head of Legal Services where representation is required at a senior level at meetings. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) with outside bodies with other departments of elected members of corporate working groups 2.6 To brief as the Council s sole representative to attend conferences with Counsel as necessary. 2.7 To deputise for the Principal Lawyer (Contracts) in his/her absence. 2.8 To assist the Principal Lawyer (Contracts) as requested on any matter. 4

5 2.9 To carry out miscellaneous tasks in the Contract Section as required. 3. To progress to PO4 The postholder should have carried out the following duties to a high standard: 3.1 Experience of drafting contracts, attending meetings and negotiating terms with minimal supervision. 3.2 Acted as legal adviser on a substantial matter of policy. 3.3 Assisted in the development of policy and procedures in the Contracts Section. 3.4 Have a good knowledge of the law relating to: Standard terms in Services and Supply Contracts EU Procurement Law and Procedures IT Agreements Forms of Partnering (eg PFI/PPP) The Council s Standing Orders and other internal processes Best Value Local Government 4. To progress to PO5 The postholder should have completed at least 12 months satisfactory service and, in addition to the above duties should have: 4.1 Extensive experience and knowledge of to above. 4.2 To have carried out training for a client department in respect of at least one of its functions and to have demonstrated an involvement in a continuing programme of training and development of staff in Legal Services and client departments. 4.3 To contribute to various Board Reports on contract and procurement issues. 4.4 Given assistance to individual members of staff to develop their knowledge of the law relating to contracts. 4.5 To have acted on a major externalisation or equivalent 4.6 To have made a significant contribution to the management of the team and representing the team at internal and Council wide meetings which include 5

6 for example:- Involvement in supervision and appraisal of staff or mentoring or recruitment within the team or Division. Involvement in the development or audit of Lexcel practice or procedure within the team or Division. Deputising or Chairing at team meetings. Advising Director or Member level meetings or equivalent as the Division s sole representative (excluding committee meetings). Satisfactory completion of an agreed management project. Representing the Head of Legal Services at Cabinet and Panel meetings. Attending client liaison or SLA meetings as the team s representative. I agree to the above job description. Post holder Date Director/Chief Officer Date 6

7 LONDON BOROUGH OF HAMMERSMITH & FULHAM SELECTION CRITERIA DATE: FEB 2008 DEPARTMENT: ACE - Legal PREPARED BY: ANDY BERESFORD, A/ HLS JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT LAWYER (CONTRACTS) POST NO:L90055 SELECTION CRITERIA ARE THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES OF THE POST. PLEASE, THEREFORE, ADDRESS EACH OF THE CRITERIA LISTED BELOW, DRAWING UPON ALL OF YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT HAS BEEN GAINED AT HOME,WORK, OR ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS A B C D E A commitment to the Council s Equal Opportunities Policies and the ability to understand and implement these policies in relation to the responsibilities of the post Admitted as a Solicitor or Barrister and qualified to work in the UK with one year s post qualification experience Knowledge of the law relating to contracts including contracts for the supply of goods, materials or services and contracts for the carrying out of works Experience of drafting complex legal documentation with minimal or no supervision Knowledge of legislation and law relating to Best Value F Knowledge of (1) Local Government Law (2) EU Procurement G The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with Councillors and Council officers, outside bodies and members of the public H An ability to use Information Technology (including Word for Windows) to create legal documents 7