Job Information
Principal Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs (Level 11)
Company Information
Job Information
Description
Company
Government of Jamaica
Website
http://bit.ly/GOJJobListing
Contact Name
Office of the Services Commission
Contact Email
communications@osc.gov.jm
Job Type
Full-time
Department
Executive Agency
Category
Management
Posted
29-07-2024
Job Status
Start Publishing
29-07-2024
Stop Publishing
08-08-2024
Applications are invited to fill the following vacant post in the National Fisheries Authority: Principal Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs (Level 11) - Legal Services Unit, salary range $9,401,821 - $12,644,404 per annum.
Job Purpose
Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Principal Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs has overall responsibility for administering all activities relating to the legal obligations of the Authority and the statutory provisions within which the Authority functions. Accordingly, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring that the Authority operates in a manner that is fully compliant with the Fisheries Act 2018 and all the relevant local, regional and international laws, statutes and regulations which govern the Authority.
Additionally, the incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day direction and management of the Legal Services Unit’s staff and operations, as well as for all activities which serve to protect the Authority and its employees against any action that may arise.
The incumbent is required to make recommendations, determine issues of law and policy for cross sector and international issues, to represent the Authority in legal proceedings and to provide high quality legal counsel and guidance on a wide range of issues.
Key Responsibilities
Management/Administrative:
- Directs the development of Budgets/Corporate/Strategic and Operational Plans in accordance with the required guidelines;
- Develops Individual and Unit Plan;
- Advises the CEO on the legal policy framework for the Authority, based on best practices and in keeping with the laws promulgated for the National Fisheries Authority;
- Recommends priorities and strategic direction for the Legal Services Unit and manages the Legal Officer, Administrative Support Officer and external Counsel as may be required from time to time;
- Develops, implements and monitors various policies, guidelines and procedures for the Authority;
- Prepares technical briefs for the CEO and the Chairman of the Board, as required;
- Advises and engages Directors, CEO and other staff about changes in international and other obligations based on ongoing research;
- Reviews and analyses legislation, policies and policy guidelines and makes recommendations for amendments and changes;
- Formulates legal arrangements to establish partnerships with Public and Private Sector entities, local, regional and international organizations;
- Formulates legal papers, Cabinet Submissions, briefs and proposals and represents the Authority at conferences, seminars, negotiations and committees locally, regionally and internationally;
- Participates in the development and conduct of training sessions and seminars for internal and external clients, for example compliance and enforcement sessions for staff;
- Participates in the quarterly and annual reviews/retreats and contributes to the general management and strategic direction of the Authority;
- Prepares and presents the Department’s quarterly Legislation Programme, ensuring all priority Bills are adequately represented;
- Monitors progress of the implementation of the programme and submits update to Board and the CEO, as required;
- Attends sittings of Parliament and provides clarification on Bills, as required;
- Provides guidance relating to disciplinary and grievance issues and assists in maintaining a harmonious industrial relations environment;
- Provides legal advice to the CEO and senior management, on specialized and routine legal matters;
- Keeps abreast of international conventions related to the Authority’s activities and interprets and advises on its implications.
Technical/Professional:
- Directs the day-to-day management of the staff and operations of the Legal Unit;
- Keeps abreast of local and international legislation, conventions, regulations, protocols, policies and policy guidelines and guides the research programme required for the formulation or amendment of legislation, policies, policy guidelines and procedures;
- Reviews and advises on legal implications of legislation and policies and provides appropriate legal guidance and counsel on a wide range of legal issues which include, inter alia litigation, corporate governance, compliance, enforcement, risk management, licences, authorizations, permits, insurance, policies, employee and labour related matters;
- Provides proactive advice on potential legal issues to protect the Authority against legal risks.
- Works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Principal Director, Directors, Managers and other staff, interpreting the law and providing support to ensure that the Authority’s full legal rights and attendant obligations are protected and observed in the execution of its functions;
- Drafts and reviews conditions of authorizations, licences and permits and ensures that Gazette Notices are prepared and published;
- Ensures that the Authority operates in a manner that is fully compliant with all relevant local and international laws, statutes, guidelines and protocols which govern its operations;
- Reviews all legal documents including contracts, tender documents, legal submissions, protocols, licences and provides guidance accordingly;
- Reviews applications for licences, authorizations and permits for adherence to guidelines;
- Prepares Drafting Instructions to the Chief Parliamentary Counsel for the formulation or amendment of legislation;
- Participates in the preparation of Cabinet Submissions to facilitate the amendment of legislation;
- Prepares Drafting Instructions and liaises with the Attorney General’s Chambers on matters of law;
- Advises on the negotiation of settlements and analyses and formulates legal strategies and arguments to be employed in the prosecution and defence of legal cases under the Fisheries Act 2018 or other relevant legislation;
- Supervises the investigation and preparation of cases for civil and/or criminal litigation and attends Court, Tribunal, Enquiries or other legal proceedings to provide legal representation for the Authority;
- Conducts Hearings on matters in keeping with the provisions of the law;
- Participates in training programmes and seminars on Compliance and Enforcement and other topics, as required;
- Investigates complaints and delays, analyses issues and implements or recommends corrective actions;
- Ensures adherence to established laws and policies governing the operations of the Authority;
- Advises the CEO and relevant staff of the Authority on all areas of tender document, Contracts and other legal matters relevant to the Authority;
- Participates in negotiations and drafts or peruses employment, engagement and all other contracts on behalf of the Authority and ensures conformity with the related laws and policies;
- Liaises with the Attorney General’s Chambers to produce legal opinions/briefs on matters of Law affecting the Authority’s policies and programmes;
- Liaises with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to rulings on case files and initiation of proceedings in the courts in relation to the breach of legislation that the Authority administers;
- Liaises with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that legislation is drafted in
- accordance with the Authority’s instructions;
- Liaises with the Clerk to the House of Parliament in relation to matters to be tabled or debated in Parliament involving Legislation administered by the Department;
- Co-ordinates the preparation for the filing of actions on behalf of the Authority on violators of laws within the purview of the NFA;
- Participates in court proceedings on behalf of the Department and Corporation, ensuring adequate support to the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public
Prosecution, as required; - Assists the Human Resource Management and Development Branch with disciplinary matters, as required;
- Attends the sittings of the House of Representatives and the Senate when Bills from the Authority are being considered;
- Reviews work assignments undertaken by the Legal Officer and advises on areas which need to be amended before dispatch;
- Reviews legal documents and other documents in relation to projects undertaken by the Authority;
- Reviews and makes recommendations for preparation of new legislation;
- Prepares and reviews Drafting Instructions related to the Fisheries Sector;
- Prepares proposed drafting instructions and/or drafting Orders for signature of the Minister, ensuring all necessary/required consultations and Cabinet Submissions are done and co-ordinates the gazetting of the Orders;
- Ensures that the members of the NFA, and the Board of Directors (BoM) receives proper advice and resources for discharging their fiduciary duties to stakeholders under the law and the records of the Board's actions reflect the proper exercise of those fiduciary duties;
- Operates as an active partner with Board members to ensure the Board’s effectiveness and good governance, that is, an advisor to the Board to ensure that policy and intent are manifested correctly; a resource to provide trends and information;
- Develops and administers the Authority’s Corporate Governance Principles and Guidelines and provides advice on Corporate Governance issues to the BoD, Director, senior executives and managers;
- Develops and implements Corporate Procedural and Administrative Systems that focus on compliance matters and Corporate Governance affairs in supporting the successful operations of the Authority;
- Oversees the creation of an effective Corporate Record-keeping System, ensuring that records are accurate, filed, indexed, and kept up-to-date, protected and accessible, all in accordance with the law and compliance requirements;
- Co-ordinates the preparation for all meetings of the BoD and Board subcommittees;
- Co-ordinates the preparation and distributes Board/Committee Preparatory Papers, Minutes, briefing material, meeting agendas, notifications, and so on;
- Prepares reports on outstanding agenda items and takes all necessary action, to ensure that the information is provided in a timely manner for consideration by the Board/Committee members;
- Attends Board and Committee meetings, records Minutes and prepares final documents for distribution, highlighting Board and Committee decisions and/or information items, actions and directives;
- Contributes to meeting discussions as required, advises members of the legal, governance, accounting and tax implications of proposed policies, and updates relevant policies, where necessary;
- Ensures the accuracy of the Minutes, reports, decisions etc. touching and concerning the operations of the Board;
- Collates information, prepares correspondence, and writes reports, ensuring that the decisions made, and the actions to be taken by the Corporation are communicated to the relevant stakeholders;
- Manages project deadlines for the BoM and assists in the development of quality standards for consistent reporting;
- Organizes and maintains an Annual Timetable and diary of key meetings for the Corporation’s
- BoM and Board Sub-committees;
- Serves as a Focal Point for communication with and between the BoM and Senior Executives, managers and the Corporation’s stakeholders;
- Provides legal advice to Appeals Tribunal;
- Manages and organizes hearings and meetings of the Appeals Tribunal.
Human Resource Management:
- Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares Performance Appraisals and recommends and or initiates corrective action, where necessary ;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff for the Division/Unit and recommends transfer, promotion, termination and leave in accordance with established Human Resource policies and procedures;
- Assists with the development and implementation of a Succession Planning Programme for the Division/Unit to facilitate continuity and the availability of required skills and competencies
- to meet the needs of the Division in collaboration with the Human Resource Management and Development Branch;
- Devises job rotation strategy for the Division in collaboration with the Human Resources Division;
- Ensures the welfare and developmental needs of staff in the Division/Unit are clearly identified and addressed;
- Establishes and maintains a system that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment and commitment to the Division’s and Organization’s goals;
- Provides leadership and guidance to staff supervised through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and coaching;
- Develops and sustains teamwork, unity and commitment to organizational goals;
- Participates in the recruitment of staff;
- Approves leave, recommends appointments, training incentive arrangements and disciplinary action for staff supervised;
- Conducts staff appraisals and writes performance reports adhering to the required guidelines and timeframes.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Core:
- Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent presentation and communication skills;
- Excellent conceptual and listening skills;
- Strong policy formulation and analytical skills;
- Ability to write clearly and succinctly and to meet deadlines;
- Highly developed team building skills and the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders;
- Excellent legal drafting and research skills;
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills;
- Confidentiality and Integrity;
- Highly adaptable skills;
- Good Change Management skills.
Technical:
- Good knowledge of The Fisheries Act, 2018, relevant legislation, legal guidelines, policies and policy guidelines of the National Fisheries Authority;
- Knowledge of national, regional and international Fisheries laws and protocols and other related international laws and regulations;
- Good arbitration and negotiation techniques;
- Good knowledge of Public Sector Laws, rules and guidelines;
- Good knowledge of Commercial, Conveyance, Contract, Property and International Laws;
- Excellent Research and legal writing skills;
- Good knowledge of Legal framework of government;
- Contract negotiations and drafting;
- Industrial Relations and Public Service Regulations.
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB);
- Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley or Hugh Wooding Law School, UWI;
- Two (2) years’ experience in a senior legal capacity;
- Five (5) years overall experience in the field;
- Corporate Governance training would be an asset.
Special Conditions Associated with the Job
- Required to travel both locally and overseas for short periods;
- Long working hours to finalize papers, policies and other documents;
- Occasionally required to work on holidays and weekends.
Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Wednesday, 7th August, 2024 to:
Senior Director
Corporate Services Division
National Fisheries Authority
2c Newport East
Kingston 11
Corporate Services Division
National Fisheries Authority
2c Newport East
Kingston 11
Email: fisherieshr@moa.gov.jm
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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