Legal Support Officer
Basildon, Essex
£30-£35 per hour dependant on experience
Temporary Contract – 6 months
Full-Time, 36.25 hours per week
Closing Date: Monday 13th October 2025
The Role
We are looking for an experienced officer to join our Democratic Services and Governance team for an initial 6 month period.
Duties will include supporting the new Manager of Democracy and to review staffing structures, constitution, working practices and processes ensuring a joined up and professional service to the Councillors/ Leader and CLT.
Accountabilities
To provide the overall and strategic direction and management of the Chief Executive’s, Committee, Member and Specialist Support (including member support, legal support, election support, executive and Civic Office support) and elections functions, providing personal support to the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, navigating through a complex and demanding political environment.
To support the Assistant Director Legal and Democracy in ensuring that the Council’s governance arrangements are legally compliant and fit for purpose, applying detailed and relevant knowledge of local government legislation and local procedures and policies where appropriate.
To ensure the provision of proactive, collaborative, consistent and effective support to the Chief Executive, Senior Leadership Team, Leader of the Council and the constituted governance and decision making arrangements, to facilitate achievement of the Corporate Plan and other significant corporate priorities.
Leading by example, and proactively supporting teams to demonstrate commitment to Basildon’s values through their behaviours, driving collaboration with key stakeholders and managing performance and development.
Developing short, medium and long terms strategies for the function and working across the Council overseeing delivery of strategic initiatives in relation to this key function of the Council.
Lead the continuous improvement of existing processes to streamline and optimise service delivery and directly influence the performance of the service, working with key stakeholders to define outcomes, set targets and monitor performance, within a culture of continuous improvement.
The postholder is expected to recognise the high profile nature of the work of the CLT and to ensure that all work emanating from this source is of the highest standard. This includes being aware of the main issues facing the Council and recognising the need to be aware of any particularly sensitive issues and bringing these to the attention of the respective officer.
Why choose Basildon Council?
Basildon Borough Council is one of the largest local authorities in the East of England region and serves a population of approximately 172,000 people. The town of Basildon is regarded as a key economic hub with the main areas of employment being engineering, research and development, distribution and financial services. Basildon is also the second biggest economy in the Thames Gateway, outside of Canary Wharf.
Working for Basildon Borough Council means making a practical and positive difference to the lives of people living and working in the Borough and provides a fulfilling career.
Each of our employees - whatever job role they are undertaking - can feel motivated by having a unique opportunity to use their skills to make Basildon a better place to live. Whether it is conserving our countryside, by regenerating our Borough, by housing our residents or by collecting the refuse on time.
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.