Wirral Council: Job Role Descriptor Job Role: Service: Reports to: No. of Subordinates: Job Role Ref: Job Family: Grade: Practice & Governance Manager Legal & Member Services Head of Legal & Member Services 8 HR USE ONLY CSUP Corporate Support EPO6 JOB ROLE PURPOSE Actively contribute to the corporate management of Legal & Member Services management and provide effective management leadership to promote the development of business and performance. As a member of the management team, to contribute to the development and implementation of Legal & Member Services and the wider directorate s strategic objectives. KEY TASKS 1. Support the Head of Legal & Member Services efficiently and effectively undertake managerial oversight of the Council s governance arrangements, information governance, Constitution and professional administrative support. 2. Develop, promote, embed effective, efficient and innovative methods of working, fully utilising IT solutions available. 3. Assist with dealing with FOI, Data Protection and Information Governance as necessary. 4. Act as Deputy Monitoring Officer (in the event that the Legal & Committee Services Manager is unavailable). 5. Undertake investigations as may be required by the Head of Legal & Member Services. 6. Manage, deal with and address corporate complaints 7. Manage and effectively address Member issues, needs and queries. 8. Manage Member Services including the personal and professional development of Members of the Council in their various roles. 9. Management responsibility for the work undertaken by the professional administrative support team, including responsibility for financial, resource and performance management, so as to ensure effective administrative support to service teams. 10. Ensure that all service teams within Legal & Member Services are co-ordinated and integrated with corporate developments and priorities. 11. Attend Council, Cabinet and Committee/panel meetings and provide legal and constitutional advice as necessary. Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 1 of 6
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES People Ensure that staff and key stakeholders are briefed appropriately in relation to Council wide communications and matters relevant to the Service area. Support the service in the absence of the Head of Legal & Member Services as directed. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Members and officers, consult and liaise with lead Members and provide professional and impartial support to all Members as required to improve the decision making process. Provide advice to senior officers and elected Members as necessary. Pro-actively support, manage and mentor managers to ensure they effectively discharge their respective duties and responsibilities. Promote the health, safety, training and well-being of staff in Legal & Member Services. Ensure relevant Council policies are understood amongst staff and proactively ensure implementation and compliance. Advise upon and set appropriate performance targets to ensure Legal & Member Services provide a high quality value for money service. Promote and pro-actively embed performance management. Financial Ensure that Legal & Member Services and any advice given, complies with the Council s Constitution and Financial Regulations. Manage all budgets within Member Services, including the Members Allowances Budget. Assist in the monitoring and managing of budgets for Legal & Member Services. Ensure the external legal budgets are managed effectively. Strategic Support the Head of Legal & Member Services efficiently and effectively in managing and improving the Ethical Framework. Lead and project manage the review of major policies, procedures and key initiatives within Legal and Members Services and the Council. Lead on the management of performance within Legal and member Services. Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 2 of 6
Promote the development and maintenance of the highest standards of professional practice within Legal & Member Services. Review, lead on and embed effective management arrangements within Legal and Member Services. Support the Head of Legal & Member Services exercise effective co-ordination, management and strategic oversight of the service. Support the Head of Legal & Member Services and Managers ensure that the Council remains compliant with its legal responsibilities, duties and obligations. Support the Head of Legal & Member Services develop effective partnerships, networks and joint working arrangements, both internally and externally to ensure the most effective provision of the service to meet the needs and aspirations of the Council. Support the Head of Legal & Member Services in ensuring that the Council s Constitution is fit for purpose and the Council s Ethical Framework is adhered to. Safeguard the Council s interests. Proactively advise on policy and policy development. Assist the Head of Legal & Member Services with monitoring performance against plans and targets and in developing and delivering mitigating actions as required. Analyse risk and work to mitigate the risk effectively. Actively support the review and improvements in key business management processes and procedures. Proactively and professionally support the Head of Legal & Member Services particularly in relation to ensuring systems, policies and procedures are in place within the relevant teams to ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory controls, assurance, governance and best practice. Ensure that decisions of the Council are monitored, implemented, recorded and are retrievable. Work with Legal & Member Services senior management team to keep abreast of any relevant changes. Assist the Head of Legal & Member Services ensure the service meets its legal and statutory obligations. Resources Utilise all relevant IT systems, software and packages. Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 3 of 6
Support Managers to ensure the CIVICA Case Management System and Mod.Gov System are fully implemented and utilised. Ensure the effective use and monitoring of the external legal budget and other high cost liabilities. Planning and Organising Ensure timetables to enable effective decision making are robust and adhered to. Support the effective liaison with the ICO, Local Government Ombudsman (LGO), Local Government Association (LGA) and other external bodies as appropriate. Ensure that advice is provided within statutory/key timescales. Ensure compliance with external timescales. Support the timely and robust responses to FOI requests working within the corporate framework and ensure compliance with Data Protection legislation. Decision Making Use initiative to deal with staffing and operational matters in accordance with agreed Council Policy. Make decisions in accordance with the Council s constitution and exercise sound judgement in its interpretation. Undertake the role with limited supervision. Escalate and/or seek guidance and support in respect of strategic, high profile, complex and politically sensitive matters. Resolve issues arising from own work and that of others within the team. Apply knowledge and understanding of the specialist area in order to determine an appropriate course of action that produces a consistent and accurate result. Qualifications: EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS Qualified Practising Solicitor or Barrister. Knowledge & Skills: Essential Criteria Good communication and interpersonal skills. Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 4 of 6
Ability to research and provide sound comprehensive advice on new and emerging issues/matters. Aware of current local government issues. Politically aware. IT Literate. Have organisational and time management skills. Able to prioritise varying workloads and deal with high volumes of work whilst maintaining a high quality service. Able to work to tight deadlines. Able to work with colleagues as a team and use own initiative. Tactful and diplomatic. Flexible and co-operative, able to multi-skill. Flexible attitude to work. Understand need for political sensitivity and confidentiality. Experience: Experience of managing a legal service team/section. Proven track record of innovating new working practices and developing, managing change within the workplace. Experience of developing, driving and embedding performance management. Experience of challenging poor behaviour and values in the workplace and promoting a healthy work environment. Experience of managing staff at different levels. Experience of undertaking senior management duties and responsibilities. Experience of delivering training to a wide audience. Experience of dealing with FOI/Data Protection Act (DPA) matters/issues (including close liaison with the ICO). Experience of dealing with the LGO. Proven track record of innovating new working practices and developing, managing change within the workplace. Experience of developing, driving and embedding performance management. Experience of challenging poor behaviour and values in the workplace and promoting a healthy work environment. Experience of managing staff at different levels. Experience of undertaking senior management duties and responsibilities. Experience of delivering training to a wide audience. Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 5 of 6
Desirable Criteria Knowledge & Skills: Sound understanding of, managing and acquiring the LEXCEL Accreditation or ISO9000 or equivalent. Sound understanding of Local Authority governance arrangements, decision making and corporate governance. Ability to give appropriate & timely legal advice in emergency situations. Ability to innovate and problem solve. Ability to work as part of a team. Experience: Experience of managing a committee services team/section. Knowledge and experience of working in local government. Experience of working in a political environment. ADDITIONAL WORK ELEMENTS Flexible working. Attendance at evening meetings from time to time. Attend meetings on behalf of Head of Legal & Member Services. NOTE: The job role holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties commensurate with the job role descriptor grade as directed by the Head of Service. This job role descriptor will be reviewed regularly and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a definitive statement of procedures and tasks, but sets out the main expectations of the Service in relation to the post holder s responsibilities and duties. Elements of this job role descriptor and changes to it may be amended in light of organisational and service requirements. Signed Head of Service Date Surjit Tour, Head of Legal & Member Services 17 th September 2015 Files\Content.Outlook\5LI3YRZN\CSUP0009P JD Practice Governance Manager Final 150917 (3).doc Page 6 of 6