Lawyers ? Medway Legal Services

Medway and Gravesham Legal Services is looking to recruit lawyers to complement our busy and friendly team. We are looking for Childcare lawyers, senior Childcare Lawyer, a Senior Contracts Lawyer, a Contracts Lawyer and a Property Lawyer.

This is an opportunity to join our high performing team and become part of a strong group of lawyers delivering excellent service across the range of the local authority sector.

We are looking for a Contracts and Procurement specialist to head up our contracts team as well as a lawyer to join that team. A Property lawyer with commercial property experience and Childcare lawyers.

In our Childcare Team lawyers carry a caseload of matters in proceedings and pre-proceedings. The successful candidate will be expected to pick up a caseload from the outset. You will have access to support from our paralegal team. It is important you have previous experience carrying a full and varied childcare caseload. Candidates from both the public and private sector... with relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

Our Property and Contracts vacancies would be ideally suited for experienced candidates looking for a new challenge or taking the next step in their career.

We understand that motivation is key for a workforce to be successful and achieve it?s aims, and that it is vital that employees feel rewarded for their contribution. To that end, we have recently redesigned the reward offer for the team and we have already seen that reflected in building the team, supported by a career progression framework which enables professional development and career growth.

As a Medway Council employee you will have the opportunity to develop both professionally and personally by undertaking relevant training opportunities, enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including competitive rates of pay, pension scheme, flexi time and generous annual leave. Along with access to an employee advice, information and counselling service, employee forums and an employee discount scheme for national and local retailers.

The team operate a flexible hybrid work style with remote working being combined with office attendance to allow colleagues to collaborate and contribute to the positive team atmosphere. The team is mostly based at Gun Wharf, Chatham (where free parking is available) the Place team, including the successful applicants for the contract and property roles, may be required to spend some time at the Gravesham Borough Council offices to whom we provide a shared service.

We are looking for proactive individuals who excel in client management, drafting, negotiation, mentoring colleagues, advocacy in a variety of courts and tribunals, and providing advice at committees. For the contracts roles we are also looking for knowledge of the public procurement regime and its practical application in the local government arena.

We welcome applications from both experienced local government lawyers and those in private practice who are looking to join local government. We provide an introductory training course to local government law to all those joining the Council irrespective of previous background.

We pride ourselves on the training and support provided to staff and in joining us you will contribute towards and encourage a culture of learning, knowledge sharing and excellence within Legal Services.

Please state in your application form which position you are applying for.

In return we offer you:
? Generous annual leave entitlement
? Generous local government pension scheme package
? Access to wider training and development qualifications
? Flexible working scheme
? Travel plan discounts
? Car Benefit Scheme from Tusker
? Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
? Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
? The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here: - https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

We're committed to making Medway carbon neutral by 2050. We have developed an action plan to ensure we play our part in addressing the climate emergency. Our declaration fits into our Council Plan priority of making Medway a place to be proud of. The main outcome being a 'clean and green environment'. All Medway Council staff can access an additional day?s paid leave to undertake a volunteering activity which supports climate change.

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

If you would like to have an informal discussion with the recruiting managers call Victoria O?Neill for Childcare posts on 01634 332152 or Laura Caiels for Contracts or Property posts on 01634 332007

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, disability, marital status, family commitments, sexual orientation, age, HIV status, religious or political beliefs, social class or trade union activity or irrelevant spent conviction.

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online.

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date

Apply Job!