Head of Governance (Monitoring Officer)

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is a high performing, innovative and progressive organisation that has high ambitions for the service that it provides to the communities and people of Cheshire.

Following a recent review of our Service Leadership Team the new role of Head of Governance (Monitoring Officer) has been created. Reporting to the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive, and as a key member of the Service Leadership Team, this influential senior role is an exciting and varied opportunity for an experienced senior legal professional. The postholder will ensure that expert legal advice is provided to the Service and the Fire Authority ensuring they act lawfully and fulfil their statutory responsibilities and maintain suitable governance arrangements to aid effective decision making and long term planning.

To apply for this role you will need to be a practising solicitor or barrister with post-qualification experience within the public sector as a Monitoring Officer. You will need to possess detailed knowledge of local government law and relevant political arrangements, demonstrate high levels of integrity and have experience of effectively working across professional and organisational boundaries and in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders, including local politicians.

The successful candidate will be responsible for liaising with the joint Police and Fire Legal Services team in relation to the commissioning and monitoring of appropriate legal advice and support to the Service and Fire Authority and will also lead the Service’s internal Governance team which includes executive support, democratic services and information compliance, so experience of managing high performing teams and managing budgets is essential.

As well as being an excellent communicator and having a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are seeking exceptional individuals with sound judgement, and the ability to assimilate and explain complex information and provide constructive challenge and fresh thinking.

As a highly inclusive employer, we welcome applications from candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds, especially those who are currently under-represented within our workforce such as females, applicants with a disability, and individuals from minority ethnic backgrounds, but notwithstanding this, appointment will be based solely on merit and the selection process is designed to give everyone, regardless of background, an opportunity to demonstrate their suitability and readiness to be the new Head of Governance (Monitoring Officer).

Full details about the post are available in a Recruitment Pack below.

Recruitment Pack

Equality monitoring form

To apply candidates are required to submit a CV accompanied by a supporting statement of up to 2,000 words, that demonstrates suitability and provides relevant examples against the job description and person specification. These should be emailed to recruitment@cheshirefire.gov.uk quoting job reference number 46/24/HOG.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Laura Flanagan on 01606 868810 or 07929 784 791, to arrange a telephone call with Alex Waller, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive.

Closing Date: 5pm Monday 4 November 2024