Reporting to / Director General
Employees reporting to role / Legal Adviser
Financial Responsibilities / Control legal expenditure and budget
Purpose of Job / Responsible for the provision of expert legal advice and supportacross the Commission, worldwide.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
- To provide professional, responsive, cost effective and timely legal advice and support across a wide variety of matters (including employment, property, dispute resolution, contracts, data protection, media and events, information technology, intellectual property) drawing on external resources where appropriate.
- To deliverpractical, pragmatic, risk based solutions and ensure compliance consistent with the Commission’s strategic aims
- To be responsible for the legal protection and security of tenure of Commission cemeteries, memorials and premises including planning and property transactions to ensure long-term and sustainable solutions consistent with the Commission’s enduring responsibility
- To represent the Commission in legal, governmental and other forums including the conduct and management of proceedings incourts and tribunals, or to arrange such representation from those with appropriate expertise.
- To advise and develop innovative approaches to complex and demanding situations requiring creative legal solutions
- To engage and manage external lawyers, as and when appropriate, in an effective and cost efficient manner
- To monitor, analyse, interpret and advise upon legal developments and legislation including lobbying and engaging with parliamentary and governmental bodies in order to promote and protect the Commission’s interests
- To advise on the constitution, governance and activities of the Commission and the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation including legal status in host countries,tax, charity law and international governmental arrangements such as War Graves Agreements
- To work collaboratively with other disciplines including active participation in project boards.
- To maintain strategic oversight of ecclesiastical and burial law including Church of England jurisdictional matters to ensure the protection of war casualty remains and memorials around the world
- Control of departmental resources and annual budget for legal expenditure
- To act as the custodian of the Commission’s deeds and Corporate Seal
- To set, delegate and monitor the performance standards required of staff in the Legal team, identify their developmentneeds and ensure they receive the training and coaching required (including CPD requirements)
- To meet continuing professional development requirements
Key contacts and relationships
- All levels including VC, DG, Commissioners, Head Office and Area Directors
- Wide range of external stakeholders including Local Authorities, Government Departments, Church Commissioners and other ecclesiastical authorities
- The Armed Forces and Embassies
- Lawyers and notaries in the UK and abroad
- The general public
Knowledge & qualifications/experience required
- Considerable proven post qualification experience as a Solicitorwith broad generalist background
- Experience working within an in-house legal environment
- International experience of working with lawyers in foreign legal jurisdictions desirable
Competencies & Key Skills (functional/technical)
- Versatility and creativity in advising on varied and unusual legal problems in the UK and other jurisdictions around the world
- Willingness to travel nationally and internationally
- Ability to identify and assess legal and corporate risks and advise accordingly
- Excellent problem solver
- Ability to deliver pragmatic, risk based, accessible advice and solutions
- Professional integrity
- Ability to communicate with people at all levels
- Powers of persuasion and ability to use judgement
- Good communication skills and effective team player
- Ability to make a positive contribution and treat colleagues, suppliers and other third parties on the basis of the Commission’s values
- Ability to deliver training and presentations to varying sizes and levels of audience
- Good organisational skills
- Strong analytical skills
- The ability to handle confidential information with discretion
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Date of Preparation1
March 2017