Council Advocate

Council Advocate

Grade: Principal Officer, SCP 40 – 46 (£59,456 – £68,607)

The Council invites applications from highly motivated Manx qualified advocates to join our team. Working with our existing Council Advocate you’ll deliver a fast paced, effective and efficient in-house legal service.

From supporting housing, property, regulatory and contract work to providing comprehensive legal advice and guidance across the organisation to tackling litigation matters representing the Council in courts and tribunals and navigating the local government arena, the range of legal work is diverse, dynamic and challenging.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and the Corporate Management Team you will also collaborate with senior officers and Members of Council for work that is anything but routine.

For the right person, this role offers meaningful responsibility, backed by the Council’s commitment to development and continuous improvement in service delivery. In-house local government practice is varied and exciting, with opportunities beyond traditional legal duties that stretch beyond the ordinary.

Ambitious? Dedicated to delivering exceptional service? We WANT you – whether you’re newly qualified, returning to work after a break or seeking a fresh challenge.

Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Qualified Manx advocate, and a Member of the Isle of Man Law Society or equivalent
2. Advocacy experience
3. Legal research and analysis skills
4. Knowledge of litigation and court procedures, both civil and criminal
5. Ability to handle multiple legal matters simultaneously and provide advice
6. Excellent communication skills with well-developed interpersonal skill.
7. Discretion, tact and resourcefulness
8. Influencing, negotiation and advising skills
9. Resilient and perceptive
10. Ability to gain credibility, inspire confidence and build relationships at all levels
11. Drafting of legal documents and report writing skills
12. Flexible approach to working hours
13. Self-motivated, innovative and capable of working under pressure
14. IT Literate

Desirable

1. Knowledge and understanding of local government or other public authority
2. Knowledge and experience of Data Protection and Freedom of Information
3. Political sensitivity

Douglas City Council is committed to recruiting a diverse and highly talented workforce representative of our City and are committed to ensuring the recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible to all. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the City we serve.