Paralegal Officer (PLG/LS 4)

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Assists in the preparation of legal documents, under the guidance of the Senior Paralegal and Legal Officers; 
• Drafts all legal documents – sale agreements, lease agreement, instruments of transfer, etc. relating to the sale or lease of property; 
• Liaises with external clients to track the progress of sale agreements to ensure timely completion; 
• Liaises with external clients to track the progress of lease agreements and ensure timely completion; 
• Ensures retention schedules for legal documents/files relating to land sub-divisions and housing developments are strictly adhered to and files are stored securely and easily retrievable; 
• Liaises with National Land Agency and other Departments, as required, when conducting searches for land titles, and ensures documents received are checked for accuracy;
• Serves as liaison with other GOJ entities including LAMP, Local Authorities and NLA;
• Conducts research into legislation and other sources of law as directed;
• Meets with walk-in clients and assists in providing updates on their matters before escalating; 
• Assists in organising meetings to review and discuss legal documents;
• Assists in collating documents in preparation for legal hearings and consultations;
• Provides information to stakeholders and other parties subject to maintaining confidentiality and/or upon the instructions of the Legal Officers where necessary; 
• Processes general inquiries and requests as directed; 
• Maintains the files and records in a confidential, secure and reliable manner, in accordance with established records management principles to ensure expeditious retrieval of files. 

Management/Administrative 

• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the overall plan for the section;
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences as required;
• Prepares reports and programme documents as required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Good interpersonal and team management skills 
• Good oral and written communication skills 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 
• Strong leadership skills 
• Strong customer relations skills 
• Good planning and organising skills 
• Good judgment and decision-making skills 
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications 

Functional: 

• Basic knowledge of the English Legal System, including Commercial, Criminal and Civil Proceedings. 
• Good knowledge of conveyancing practices; 
• Good knowledge of drafting legal documents 
• Good knowledge of legal research and methods. 
• Working knowledge of GOJ operations and of public sector issues. 
• Working knowledge of relevant computer systems and their applications. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Training OR Qualification in Legal or Paralegal Studies; 
• Minimum five (5) CSEC subjects including English Language; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in a law office or legal environment. 

Special Conditions Associated With The Job:

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialised software. 
• The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
• May be required to travel locally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.