Assistant Director - Legal, Democracy and Monitoring Officer

Assistant Director - Legal, Democracy and Monitoring Officer

Basildon Borough Council

Permanent, Full Time

£94,572 per annum (plus LW allowance)

Location: Basildon

Advert closing date: Sunday 1st December 2024

Interview date: Please note this will be a two stage interview process, 1st stage will be virtual on 3rd/4th December and 2nd stage in person on 12th December.

Essex County Council (ECC) are delighted to be supporting Basildon
Council to recruit for the role of Assistant Director, Legal and
Democracy and Monitoring Officer.

Job Purpose

The role involves providing strategic leadership and management of the
Council’s Legal and Democratic Services, encompassing Legal, and Committee
Services, Electoral Services, and Information Governance. Key
responsibilities include ensuring the Council’s lawful operation and
offering high-quality legal advice on relevant matters to council members
and officers. As a member of the Corporate Leadership Team, this role works
closely with the Chief Executive and s151 Officer to enhance governance and
address any legal, procedural, or constitutional issues. Additionally, it
emphasizes driving effective cross-Council collaboration to achieve
corporate priorities, exemplifying clear communication and adherence to
governance standards. This role also requires visible office leadership at
least two days a week, support for senior council members across various
groups and committees and serving as the Senior Information Risk Owner
(SIRO) to manage information risks effectively.

As the Council’s Monitoring Officer, you will be responsible for matters
relating to conduct, be responsible for the Councils Constitution and
ensure we fulfil all our statutory obligations.

You will have a strong background and experience of local authority
decision-making and committee processes along with experience of elections
You will be an effective communicator who is confident, analytical and
solution focussed with the ability to build and maintain trust and
relationships with both members and Senior Officers.

For a copy of the full role profile, including full job duties and
person specification, please email

sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk

What’s in it for you?

• 29 days annual leave pro rata for part time (rising to 33
  after 5 years’ service)
  
• Hybrid working
  
• Fully flexible working options
  
• Local government pension
  
• Funded training opportunities
  
• Employee discount programme
  
• Top specification ICT equipment
  

Why choose Basildon Council? The UK Government created
Basildon as one of the first generation of post-war New Towns in 1949. The
ambition was that, “Basildon will become a city which people from all over
the world will want to visit.” Fast forward to today and Basildon is the
largest economy in Essex and an established centre of excellence for
engineering and manufacturing. Basildon boasts some of the most advanced
technical facilities in the UK and is home to a number of innovative
companies, large and small as well as a population of more than 180,000.

Basildon have three corporate plan ambitions, the strategic themes for their
work and are defined as follows:

People - We want Basildon to be home to healthy and active local
communities able to support themselves and each other.

Place - We want Basildon to offer a high quality of life for all
residents through attractive, liveable, accessible and safe neighbourhoods
and towns along with the provision of enduring facilities, green spaces and
town centres that meet the needs of the community.

Prosperity - We want Basildon to have a thriving, dynamic and
diverse economy where all our communities benefit from increased
opportunity and our workforce has the right skills for our local economy
and beyond.

Note: ECC are advertising this role on behalf of Basildon
Council.

Basildon Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and adults, and expects all employees, contractors and
volunteers to share its commitment to prevent abuse, harm or exploitation.

The Council applies a robust recruitment vetting process. If you are
successful you will need to undergo a Pre-employment Vetting Procedure.

If you require any additional information on this role, please contact

sadie.orwell@essex.gov.uk