Job Information Senior Assistant Attorney General (JLG/LO 5) – (8 posts) Company Information
Contact Name Office of the Services Commission
Contact Email communications@osc.gov.jm
Job Information
Job Type Full-time
Department Executive Agency
Category Legal
Posted 23-11-2021
Job Status
Start Publishing 23-11-2021
Stop Publishing 11-12-2021
Description
Applications are invited to fill the following vacant post in the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC): Senior Assistant Attorney General (JLG/LO 5) – (8 posts) in the Legal Service Unit (LSU) of the undermentioned Departments/Ministries, salary range $4,106,187 - $4,880,966 per annum and any allowance(s) attached to the post:
✓ Office of the Cabinet
✓ Office of the Prime Minister
✓ Ministry of Education, Youth and Information
✓ Ministry of Tourism
✓ Ministry of Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport
✓ Ministry of Transport and Mining
✓ Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
✓ Ministry of National Security
 
Job Purpose
Under the general direction of the Permanent Secretary with technical oversight from the assigned Deputy Solicitor General in the Attorney General’s Chambers (Headquarters), 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 Head of Legal Services is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Legal Service Unit. Instructions on the legal priorities of the Ministry, as well as oversight of the work of the Legal Services Unit, are the responsibility of the Permanent Secretary.
 
Key Responsibilities
Management/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 implementation of the programme and submits updates to the Permanent Secretary and the Cabinet Office as required;
  • Provides legal advice to the Permanent Secretary; Departments and Agencies within the Portfolio purview of the Ministry and other relevant personnel;
  • Develops, implements and maintains policies and procedures to guide the operations of the Unit;
  • Prepares technical Briefs for the Minister as required;
  • Participates and submits performance and other reports as required and ensures timely submission of all documents/information requested from the Unit;
  • Attends meetings, conferences, seminars on matters relating to the Ministry, its Agencies and Departments;
  • Keeps abreast of international conventions related to the Ministry’s activities and interprets and advises on its implications.
Technical:
  • Conducts a range of complex legal research to provide legal guidance and support in
  • furtherance of the Mission’s 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 Entities;
  • Provides legal support to the Ministry and its subjects in the preparation of Cabinet
  • Submissions and Drafting Instructions in respect of items on the Legislative Programme;
  • Provides legal support to Ministry during policy development in relation to matters to form part of the Legislative Programme;
  • Assists in the preparation of Bills for tabling and provides legal support in the preparation of the Minister’s Briefs;
  • Attends sittings of Parliament, including Committees of Parliament and provides clarification on Bills as required;
  • Prepares, reviews and amends legal documents or instruments required by the Ministry and its subjects;
  • Drafts or reviews Agreements, Contracts, Memoranda of Understanding and other commercial documents;
  • Prepares Legal Briefs to the Solicitor General through the Permanent Secretary to support
  • the escalation of nuance or highly complex legal matters or matters of national importance;
  • Prepares Briefs to the Department of Legal Reform or the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel requesting comments on draft Cabinet Submissions;
  • Provides comments on Draft Bills 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 and other Appeals;
  • Serves as Instructing Counsel on matters being pursued by the Director of State
  • Proceedings on behalf of the Ministry and its entities and assists in 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;
  • Prepares Orders for the signature of the Minister, ensuring all necessary/required consultations and Cabinet Submissions are done and co-ordinates the Gazetting of the 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 Policy in which the Ministry has an interest;
  • 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;
  • Performs any other related legal services as may be determined by the Permanent Secretary and the assigned Deputy Solicitor-General, from time-to-time.
 
Human Resource Management:
  • Monitors and evaluates the performance of direct reports, prepares 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;
  • Collaborations with the Human Resource Department, develops and implements 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. 
Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
  • Excellent legal research and analytical skills
  • In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica and the broad field of Public Law and Public International 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 interpersonal and team management skills
  • Excellent leadership skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, 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 judgment 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
Minimum Required Qualification and Experience
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree;
  • Certificate in Legal Education;
  • Eight (8) years’ experience as a practicing Attorney.
 
Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, 10th December 2021 to:
Director, Human Resource Management and Development
Attorney General’s Chambers
Ministry of Justice Building
61 Constant Spring Road
Kingston 10
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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