Senior Assistant Attorney-General (JLG/LO 5) – Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Division

Job Purpose

Under the general direction and leadership of the Deputy Solicitor-General (Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Division) the Senior Assistant Attorney-General is responsible for: 

• providing advice and guidance on a wide range of legal matters relating to Constitutional and Administrative law to MDAs; 
• managing the process for reviewing and providing advice on legislative Cabinet Submissions and Draft Legislation submitted by MDAs; 
• oversight of the work of Legal Service Units assigned to the Division. 

Key Responsibilities

Technical: 

• Conducts research, prepares and renders legal opinions to MDAs on a wide range of constitutional law matters; 
• Advises Ministries, Departments and Agencies on a range of legal issues; 
• Reviews and comments on Cabinet Submissions, Bills and draft Regulations; 
• Attends Committee Meetings of Cabinet and Parliament in relation to Bills, Cabinet Submissions and draft Regulations and a range of other legal matters; 
• Advises Members of Parliament and Cabinet (including sub-Committees of Parliament and Cabinet) on a range of legal matters; 
• Represents the Chambers on Working Groups to consider the enactment of legislation and the formulation of policy; 
• Advises the Ministry of Local Government in respect of appeals under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Beach Control Act, the Local Improvements Act and the Natural Resources and Conservation Authority Act; 
• Advises on legal matters in relation to the Access to Information Act; 
• Represents the Government on Appeals before the Access to Information Appeals Tribunal. 
• Prepares and vets legal Opinions; 
• Instructs the Litigation Division in the preparation of constitutional matters for Court;
• Reviews escalated legal matters from direct reports and provide remedies/solutions, where applicable; 
• Responds to queries or provide information as necessary or required;
• Remains current on GOJ policies/initiatives in an effort to add value and inform decision making; 
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, maintaining membership in professional organizations and participating in AGC initiatives. 

Management/Administrative: 

• Oversees the work and resources of the Division and a portfolio of assigned LSUs by:
  • Developing and managing Division’s operational, human and financial resource plans and activities; 
  • Strategic planning to determine nature and scope of legal services required and subsequent development of appropriate delivery processes; 
  • Establishing and managing a network of senior level relationships with client Ministries to work collaboratively to meet client needs and achieve AGC objectives;
  • Provide legal advice and guidance of all legal work including guidance on all high level legal issues and opinions prepared for senior officials; 
  • Monitoring and evaluating performance, resolving performance issues and supporting career development of direct reports; 
• 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 other 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 Division; 
• 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 in a harmonious working environment. 

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 Law and Administrative Law;
• Highly developed knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies, and environment of the AGC and assigned LSUs; 
• 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; 
• 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) Degree 
• Legal Education Certificate 
• Eight (8) years experience at the Bar. 

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.