Assistant Attorney-General (JLG/LO 4) – Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Division

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional 

• Advises Ministries, Departments and Agencies on a range of legal issues relating to legislative matters including Cabinet Submissions, Bills, draft Regulations and Green Papers; 
• Attends committee meetings of Cabinet and Parliament in relation to Bills, Cabinet Submissions and draft Regulations; 
• Advises members of Parliament on draft legislation and other legal matters;
• Represents the Chambers on Working Groups to consider the enactment of legislation and the formulation of policy; 
• Represents MDAs before the Access to Information Appeal Tribunal; 
• Advises the Responsible Minister and Appeal Tribunal in respect of planning, development and environmental appeals under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Beach Control Act, the Local Improvements Act and the Natural Resources Conservation Act; 
• Provides legal advice of a more general nature to Committees of Cabinet, and MDAs.
• Provides comments on draft Bills or draft policy papers submitted by other Ministries or Departments; 
• Responds to queries or provide information, as necessary or required; 

Management/Administrative 

• Contributes to the development of the Division’s Strategic and Operational Plan and Budget; 
• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the Division’s Plan;
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, as required;
• Prepares reports and project documents, as required; 
• Prepares and delivers legal presentations, as needed. 

Human Resources 

• Participates in the evaluation and monitoring of staff performance and implements appropriate strategies; 
• Participates in the coordination of Work Plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned; 
• Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Unit; 
• Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the Division to ensure adequate staff capacity; 
• Participates in preparation and implementation of presentations on role of Division/Unit for the Orientation/On boarding Programme; 
• Contributes and maintains a harmonious working environment. 
• Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time by Senior Assistant Attorney-General and respective senior executives in the Ministry. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent interpersonal and team management skills 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Strong leadership skills 
• Strong customer relations skills 
• Excellent planning and organizing skills 
• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills 
• Ability to influence and motivate others 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 

Technical: 

• Excellent legal research and analytical skills;
• In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica and the broad field of law or practice relating to Constitutional and Legislative Affairs; 
• Highly developed knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, and environment of the AGC-HQ and Ministry; 
• Excellent knowledge of the English Legal System and the legal framework of Government;
• Ability to analyse and interpret changes in the economic, political and social environment and the legal implications to the operations of the GOJ; 
• Excellent written and verbal communication including presentation skills and the ability to communicate legal information in a manner which can be understood by decision makers and users; 
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and convictions of purpose in unfavourable or unpopular situations; 
• Problem solving and negotiation/facilitation skills and experience; 
• An excellent understanding of the machinery of Government, including particularly the Jamaican context and the current challenges facing the GOJ; 
• Good strategic and analytical skills to enable them to advise on complex issues;
• Good organisational and personal leadership: the ability to orchestrate strategic outcomes; the ability to lead collaboratively and manage significant change in large and complex organisations; the ability to manage and engage high performing top teams that deliver within a budget, in a complex environment; 
• Ability to create commitment to a strong and consistent customer service philosophy;
• Energy and resilience; the personal capacity to see the bigger picture and be able to navigate obstacles, ambiguity and change; 
• Advanced IT skills in relation to Word, PowerPoint, Excel and MS Project and associated legal software. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB); 
• Legal Education Certificate; 
• Five (5) years’ experience at the Bar.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.