Senior Lawyer - Contracts and Procurement (Level 1)

at  Staffordshire County Council

Job Introduction
We are looking for a friendly and motivated Senior Solicitor/Legal Executive/Barrister (Level 1) to join our Contracts team, to help deliver services to our Council client and other external organisation.
Staffordshire Legal Services is a support service within the Corporate Services Directorate. It provides quality services, within resources, promoting Staffordshire County Council’s pursuit of excellence.
Staffordshire Legal Services also provides services to a range of external clients which are effective, customer friendly and provide value for money.
We endeavour to deliver by taking into account our customer commitments, our values and our individual targets.
Main Responsibilities

Conduct of legal case work (principally the drafting/vetting of contracts and giving advice) relating primarily to corporate procurement contracts/projects and the conduct of related negotiations and managing large scale commercial and corporate procurement projects for all directorates within the County Council and other external public sector clients (and conduct of related negotiations) including:

• Legal research and advice on procurement law/subsidy control/contract law
• Drafting, negotiation and completion of commercial contracts/tender documentation (and other related one off, or standard form/model documents) for goods, works, equipment and/or services.
• Provision of robust client focused advice regarding contract standing orders, financial regulations and all other applicable legal and practical constraints.
• Provision of legal procurement advice regarding the sourcing, establishing, registering, incorporation, use and running of the appropriate legal and corporate vehicles and other incorporated and unincorporated bodies including but not limited to, Companies limited by shares and guarantee, Community Interest Companies, Charities, Social Enterprises, Local Enterprise Partnerships and other “vehicles” or “entities” used in the course of establishing and conducting and running joint venture arrangements between public sector and private sector organisations.
• Drafting, vetting, assisting negotiation of documentation arising from the choice of legal vehicle specified in 1.4 above. For example, constitutions, terms of reference, objects and articles of association etc.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and able to prioritise a varied workload. Self-motivated with excellent organisational skills and an eye for detail will also be important.
You will be expected to conduct and manage your own caseload with appropriate supervision. You must be able to communicate effectively with members, senior officers and clients.

We also need you to be able to:

• Negotiate, draft and complete a varied caseload of complex contracts /tender documentation for goods, works, equipment & services, as well as Section 75 Agreements and Transfer Agreements;
• Undertake legal research and provide advice on general contract matters, including procurement and state aid;
• Provide advice in relation to corporate vehicle options and draft associated documentation;
• Provide advice on grant conditions including external funding;
• Demonstrate an understanding of relevant local authority governance considerations including Contract Standing Orders, financial regulations and committee procedures;
• Work with minimal supervision and confidently supervise other more junior staff within the team, including Solicitors/Legal Executives and Legal Assistants.

For more information about this role please contact: Imran Razaq, Deputy Legal Services on 01785 854186 or imran.razaq@staffordshire.gov.uk
About Staffordshire County Council

Please refer the Job description for details