JOB PURPOSE
Under the general direction of the Trade Administrator/CEO, the incumbent supports the delivery of legislative outputs within The Trade Board Limited(TBL) by providing legislative recommendations to guide the Trade Administrator/CEO in alignment with international obligations and best practices in trade; to provide legal advice to assist in decision making in support of TBL’s objectives; to assist TBL to obtain successful outcomes in litigation in respect of matters within TBL’s portfolio, to assist the Trade Administrator/CEO to prepare for events/developments with potential legal consequences and to function as Company Secretary of the Board of Directors.
KEY OUTPUTS
- Individual Work Plan prepared and submitted
- Monthly and quarterly reports prepared and submitted
- Best Practice Report and presentation completed
- Completed analysis of local and international approach towards developing trade legislation
- GAP Analysis Report and presentation completed
- Legal research papers developed and provided to assist in developing policy for legislative reform
- Legal opinions and advise provided
- Policy Recommendations based on consultations, drafted and submitted
- Recommendations for Legislative changes completed and submitted.
- Drafting Instructions based on recommendations for legislative changes.
- Policy Advisory Note and Guiding Notes
- Meetings attended
- Membership on Committees
- Recommendations provided to repeal and replace Trade Act
- Statutory and non-statutory essential registers, reports, returns, records
- Annual Board Work Plan
- Board Papers
- Evaluation Report of Board members
- Documents for Registrar of Companies and TAJ
- Draft Speaking Notes
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Administrative Responsibilities
- Prepares the Operational Plan and Budget, ensuring their alignment with the Strategic Objectives and priority programmes of TBL
- Prepares, presents and monitors the progress of any legislation programmes related to TBL.
- Develops, implement and maintains policies and procedures to guide the operations of the unit
- Provides legal advice to the Trade Administrator and Heads of Department on specialized and routine legal matters;
- Represents TBL at meetings, conferences and other fora as required;
- Prepares technical briefs for the Trade Administrator as required;
- Sits on Committees established within the TBL as required
- Keeps abreast of international conventions related to Trade and interprets and advises on its implications.
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
- Provide legislative recommendations to facilitate the repeal and replacement of the new Trade Act.
- Conduct an analysis of local and international best practices for developing trade legislation
- Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares drafts of background papers, reports, briefs, and other correspondence to facilitate legislative amendments.
- Conduct a SWOT analysis of Jamaica trade environment.
- Identify inter and intra institutional redundancies by doing an environmental scan (internal and external)
- Provide legal support to the finalization of regulations to undergird the Government of Jamaica Motor Vehicle Import Policy (2014)
- Attend legislative meetings with the relevant stakeholders as required.
- Collects information and comparative legislation relevant to implementation of policy decisions
- Prepares and or reviews all legal correspondences and documentations including Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs)
- Obtains advice where necessary of the Attorney General’s Department
- Reviews contracts regarding the procurement of goods, services, works, or consultancy prepared by the Procurement Unit, prior to them being reviewed and approved by Head of Entity.
- Reviews fixed term employment contracts and other relevant contracts on behalf of TBL to ensure conformity with the requisite laws and policies.
- Assists in identifying legal issues and potential solutions related to proposed policy decisions.
- Monitor events with potential major legal consequences for the organization, the Ministry and or the Government and alert the Trade Administrator/CEO.
- Supervises all activities in respect of legal claims involving the organization
- Participate in meetings, consultations and or negotiations on behalf of TBL by way of the face to face interactions, electronically, by telephone, e-mail and/or and or via the internet and/or via video conferences.
Human Resource Responsibilities
- Identifies supervisory skills amongst staff and motivates staff for upward mobility and development.
- Provides leadership to staff through effective objective setting and coaching.
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of Direct Reports, prepares performance appraisals and recommends and/or initiates corrective action, where necessary, to improve performance and/or attain established personal and/or organizational goals;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff of the Unit and recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established Human Resource (HR) policies and procedures.
- Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Unit’s and TBL’s goals.
- Company Secretary Responsibilities
- Complies with all the provisions of the Companies Act and the various Rules framed thereunder;
- Maintains all the statutory and non-statutory essential registers, books, files, records, papers etc.;
- Prepares and files with the Office of the Registrar of Companies, Tax Administration of Jamaica and other concerned authorities the required reports, returns, documents, papers etc. complete in all respects and within the prescribed periods of time ensuring that compliance is maintained with these Companies at all times;
- Prepares draft speaking notes, letters or other communication as requested for submission to the Chairman of the Board or on behalf of the Chairman to the respective Minister of Government, in a timely manner.
- Ensures all protocols are observed in relation to the Chairman and Board of Directors participation in official functions.
- Acts as a central source of guidance to the entire Board on all matters related to Corporate Governance, including orientation, sensitization and professional development of directors, effective operations of the Board, regulatory compliance and ethical standards;
- Assists the Chairperson in developing the Annual Board Work Plan;
- Oversees the timely preparation and circulation of Board papers and the Board and Committee minutes;
- Ensures The Trade Board Limited’s Board and Committee Registers as well as Compensation for the Directors are up-to-date.
- Works with the Chairperson to coordinate the evaluation of the Board, its Committees and individual members.
- Complies with and executes the instructions, directions and advice of the Board of Directors of The Trade Board Limited from time to time;
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Individual Work Plan prepared in accordance with agreed format and within specified time frame.
- Reports thoroughly prepared in accordance with the prescribed standard and submitted in a timely manner
- Presentations executed effectively and in a timely manner
- Drafting instructions are clearly defined and unambiguous
- Well researched, analyzed and considered legal advice provided in a timely manner
- Legal briefs are provided within agreed timeframes and supports the strategic objectives of TBL
- Quality legal advice provided in a timely manner
- Contracts are thoroughly reviewed and is determined to conform to all relevant laws, government policies and guidelines, prior to them being recommended to the CEO for approval
- Procurement Contracts and Fixed Term Employment Contracts are carefully assessed and are determined to be in conformance with relevant laws, government policies and guidelines.
- Effective Legislative recommendations and legal support provided to aid in the completion of various policies.
- Environmental assessments and SWOT analysis undertaken as required.
- All documentation, statutory and non-statutory essential registers, books, files, records, papers are effectively maintained.
- All documentations for the Office of the Registrar of Companies, Tax Administration of Jamaica and other concerned authorities are completed within the requisite timelines.
- Draft speaking notes, letters or other communication is completed within the required timeframe.
- Compensation for the Directors is up-to-date.
- Requisite guidance provided to the Board on all matters related to Corporate Governance
OTHER DUTIES
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the Trade Administrator/CEO and Chairman of the Board, from time to time.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Oral communication skills
- Sound Presentation skills
- Strong Written Communication
- Sound management skills
- Excellent Interpersonal and Customer Service Skills
- Excellent Time management skills
- Excellent Team work and cooperation
- Ability to Multi-task
- Excellent Interpersonal skills
- Ability to exercise sound judgement and attention to details
- Confidentiality, integrity, professionalism and decorum are displayed in the execution of duties
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Initiative
- Proficiency in manipulating a wide variety of software applications (such as Microsoft office suite, Macromedia Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop, etc) including the use of relational databases
- Excellent Problem-Solving skills
- Excellent Analytical skills
- Excellent planning and organizing skills
- Excellent in conducting legislative review, drafting of international trade laws or preparation of drafting instructions
- Sound knowledge of the Trade Act and Regulations
- Sound knowledge of International Trade
- Legal and ethical codes, court procedures, government regulations, framework, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process and legislative process, contract drafting
- Knowledge of Government Procurement Regulations Procedures
- Knowledge of Staff Orders for the Public Service and Public Service Regulations 1961
- Knowledge of the Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act; The Public Bodies Management and Accountability act; The Corruption Act and the Constitution of Jamaica;
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- An Attorney-at-Law admitted to practice in the Courts of Jamaica, CARICOM countries, or other Common Law jurisdictions with:
- An L.L.B.
- Five (5) years legal experience, preferably in the areas of General Advice and Legislation
- Post graduate training in International Law or Trade Law
- Diploma in Management or Public Administration
- Experienced in conducting legislative review, drafting of international trade laws or preparation of drafting instructions.
- Reasonable familiarity of statutes and best practices implemented in other jurisdictions such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, and the most competitive small developing economies, would be an asset.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB
- Extended hours may be required to meet project deadlines.
- Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision
- Typical office environment, no adverse working condition
- Will be required to travel locally to attend various meetings, functions, events, conferences, etc.
AUTHORITY
- Make legal representation on behalf of TBL
- Issue drafting instructions
- Provide advice on legislative development and amendment
- Provide advice on legal implications for policies developed
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