JOB PURPOSE
Under the direction of the Permanent Secretary with technical oversight from the assigned Deputy Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Head of Legal Services co-ordinates the Legislation Programme, as well as serves as Chief Legal Counsel for the Ministry and provides legal support to its Departments and Agencies, in order to assist the entities to achieve their strategic objectives.
The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Management and Administrative
- Prepares the Unit’s Operational Plan and budget ensuring their alignment with the strategic objectives and priority programmes of the Ministry;
- Prepares and presents the Ministry’s Quarterly and Annual Legislation Programme ensuring all priority Bills are adequately represented; monitors progress of the implementation of the programme and submits updates to the Permanent Secretary and the Cabinet Office as required;
- Develops, implements and maintains policies and procedures to guide the operations of the Unit;
- Participates and submits performance and other reports as required and ensures timely submission of all documents/information requested from the Unit;
- Attends meetings, conferences, and seminars on matters relating to the Ministry, its Agencies and Departments;
- Records incoming and outgoing correspondence/files and refers to the attention of the CTD for action;
- Maintains a database for tracking the movement of documents;
- Maintains an electronic and manual filing system;
- Encloses correspondence and updates Minute Sheets on respective files;
- Photocopies, binds, dispatches and scans documents as necessary;
- Maintains a follow-up system and liaises with the relevant personnel to ensure timely submission of deliverables.
Technical
- Conducts a range of complex legal research to provide legal guidance and support in furtherance of the mission-critical functions of the Ministry and its entities;
- Prepares written opinions and advice on a range of complex legal matters impacting the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies;
- Provides legal support to the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies during all aspects of the legislative process commencing at the development of the policy;
- Reviews Bills and provides legal support in the preparation of the Minister’s Briefs;
- Attends sittings of Parliament including Committees of Parliament, and provides legal advice on draft legislation as required;
- Prepares reviews and amends legal documents or instruments required by the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies;
- Drafts or reviews Agreements, Contracts, Memoranda of Understanding and other commercial documents;
- Prepares legal briefs to the Solicitor-General to support the escalation of nuance or highly complex legal matters or matters of national importance;
- Prepares briefs to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel regarding matters relating to the legislation programme;
- Prepare briefs to the Legal Reform Department regarding law reform matters;
- Provides legal advice on draft legislation or draft policy papers submitted by other Ministries or Departments;
- Reviews material to be provided by the Ministry in response to queries by the Integrity Commission, Requests under the ATI Act, Appeals under the ATI Act and other appeals;
- Serves as Instructing Counsel on matters being pursued by the Director of State Proceedings on behalf of the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies and assists in, inter alia, preparing, collating and executing Affidavits and other evidentiary matters in litigation;
- Follows up and provides updates on legal matters and attends hearings on behalf of the Ministry;
- Reviews draft legislation including Orders for the signature of the Minister, ensuring all necessary /required consultations and preliminary steps are taken and necessary approvals received and coordinates the Gazette of draft legislation including Orders;
- Reviews International Agreements in consultation with the Ministry with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and reviews draft Cabinet Submissions seeking approval for ratification;
- Reviews and advises on legal implications of internal policies and procedures;
- Represents the Ministry by participating on inter-ministerial committees or teams in relation to legislation or the development of legislation in which the Ministry has an interest;
- Remains current on GOJ policies/initiatives in an effort to add value and inform decision-making from a legal perspective;
- Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, maintaining membership in professional organizations and participating in AGC initiatives;
- Keeps abreast of international conventions related to the Ministry’s activities and interprets and advises on its implications.
Human Resource Management
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports prepare performance appraisals and recommends measures to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Unit and recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established human resource policies and procedures; In collaboration with the Human Resource Department, develops and implement a succession planning programme for the Unit to facilitate continuity and the availability of required skills and competencies to meet the needs of the Division;
- Provides leadership and guidance to direct reports through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
- Ensures that the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Unit are clearly identified and addressed;
- Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Unit’s and Ministry’s goals.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor of Laws Degree
- Legal Education Certificate
- At least eight (8) years of experience as a practicing Attorney.
SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Excellent legal research and analytical skills;
- In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica and the broad field of Public Law;
- Highly developed knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, and environment of the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies;
- Excellent knowledge of the legal system and the legal framework of Government;
- Ability to analyze and interpret changes in the economic, political and social environment and the legal implications to the operations of the Ministry;
- 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;
- Energy and resilience; the personal capacity to see the bigger picture and be able to navigate obstacles, ambiguity and change;
SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB
- Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software, with the possibility of being able to work off-site with appropriate approvals.
- The environment is fast-paced with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
- Extended hours may be required to meet deadlines.
- May be required to travel locally and internationally on work-related matters.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this career opportunity. However, please note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
