Assistant Attorney General (JLG/LO 4)

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• 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 subjects;
• 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; 
• Assists in the review of Bills that are to be tabled in the Houses of Parliament and provides legal support in the preparation of the Minister’s Briefs; 
• Prepares, assists, reviews and amends legal documents or instruments required by the Ministry and its Departments and Agencies; 
• Drafts or reviews agreements, contracts or memoranda of understanding;
• Prepares legal briefs to the Senior Assistant Attorney-General to support the escalation of nuance or highly complex legal matters or matters of national importance to obtain legal advice from the DSG, to whom the Head of the LSU reports; 
• Prepares briefs to the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel requesting comments on draft Cabinet Submissions, prepares of draft legislation and provides feedback on draft legislation; 
• Liaises with the Legal Reform Department on Law Reform matters; 
• Provides legal advice on draft legislation or draft policy papers submitted by other Ministries or its Departments and Agencies; 
• Responds to queries or provides information, as necessary, or required;
• Assists in preparing, collating and executing Affidavits and other evidentiary matters in litigation involving the Ministry or its Departments and Agencies; 
• Follows-up and provides updates on legal matters and attends hearings on behalf of the Ministry; 
• 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; 
• Recommends remedies to rectify identified deficiencies and breaches;
• 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: 

• Contributes to the development of the LSU’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 project 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 co-ordination of Work Plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned; 
• Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Unit; 
• Identifies skills/competency gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the LSU 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 a harmonious working environment; 
• Performs any other related duties that may be assigned from time to time by Senior Assistant Attorney-General and respective senior executives in the Ministry.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent interpersonal and team management skills; 
• Excellent oral and written 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 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 AGC-HQ and Ministry; 
• 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; the ability to manage and engage high performing top teams that deliver within a budget, in a complex environment; 
• 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); 
• Legal Education Certificate; 
• Five (5) years progressive experience at the Bar. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software. The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions; 
• May be required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.