Assistant Attorney General (JLG/LO 4)

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Senior Assistant Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney General supports the delivery of legislative outputs within the Ministry’s portfolio; to provide and/or obtain legal advice to assist Ministry officials in decision making in support of Ministry objectives; to assist the Ministry to obtain successful outcomes in litigation for or against the Government in respect of matters within the Ministry’s portfolio; to assist the Minister to prepare for events/developments with potential legal consequences 

Key Outputs:

• Legal research papers provided to assist in developing policy for legislative reform
• Legal research papers provided to develop instructions for Parliamentary Counsel for the Honourable Minister and the Permanent Secretary 
• Cabinet submissions for permission to give drafting instructions prepared 
• Cabinet Notes for submission to the Houses of Parliament prepared 
• Submissions of presentation of Bills to the Legislation Committee prepared 
• Instructions to Parliamentary Counsel provided 
• Minister’s briefs provided 
• Instructions to Attorney General’s Department provided
• Legal Opinions and advice provided 
• Performance Reviews completed 
• Meetings attended 
• Membership on Committees 

Key Responsibility Areas:

Technical/Professional Responsibility Areas 

• Conducts extensive legal research and analysis and prepares or assists in the preparation of drafts of background papers, studies, reports, comparative analysis, briefs, Cabinet Submissions and correspondence dealing with legal aspects of Jamaican Laws 
• Collects information and comparative legislation relevant to developing policy decisions and eventual drafting instructions for legislation within the Ministry’s portfolio 
• Instructs Parliamentary Counsel re principal and subsidiary legislation 
• Prepares Legislation Committee Submissions and Briefs for Minister and Leader of Government Business in the Senate on principal and subsidiary legislation introduced in Parliament
• Obtains advice of Attorney General’s Department and/or Legal Reform Division of Ministry of Justice regarding legislation proposals 
• Obtains advice of the Attorney General’s Department generally 
• Vets Cabinet Submissions prepared by other Divisions/Units and provide feedback to respective personnel before submission is made to Cabinet 
• Advises Ministry officials or minor legal issues not warranting further advice from the Attorney General’s department and/or in respect of matters of a type on which prior advice has been obtained from the Attorney General’s Department 
• Drafts some contracts for procurement of goods and services for the Ministry
• Sits on various committees established within the Ministry or to which the Ministry is to be represented, as directed, to ensure that legal opinions and oversights are provided
• Attends meetings, conferences, seminars on matters relating to the Ministry
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned by the Senior Assistant Attorney General and which may be deemed to fall within the remit of the post 

Human Resource Responsibility Areas 

• Identifies supervisory skills amongst staff and motivates staff for upward mobility and development Provides leadership to staff through effective objective setting and coaching 

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time. 

Performance Standards:

This job is satisfactorily performed when: 

• Quality legal policy advice provided in a timely manner 
• Drafting instructions are clearly defined and unambiguous 
• Legislative proposals are consistent with Human Rights conventions 
• Cabinet Submissions prepared in a timely manner 
• Well researched, analysed and considered legal advice provided in a timely manner
• Confidentiality, integrity, professionalism and decorum are displayed in the execution of duties 
• Legal briefs are provided within agreed timeframes and supports the strategic objectives of the Ministry
• Contracts reviewed/developed are comprehensive and conform to relevant laws, government policies, guidelines 
• Confidentiality, integrity and high ethical standards are maintained in the conduct of professional and personal business

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies 

• Oral Communication 
• Written Communication 
• Integrity 
• Team Work & Cooperation 
• Initiative 
• Compliance 
• Time Management 
• Interpersonal
• Adaptability
• Customer and Quality Focus

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Use of Technology
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organising
• Leadership
• Managing External Relationships
• Goal/Result Oriented

Key Competencies

• Excellent Research skills
• Ability to work effectively with Ministry Departments and Agencies
• Ability to extract timely information from other Ministries and Government departments relevant to the Ministry’s activities
• Ability to write clearly and succinctly on a range of complex legal policy issues
• Critical Reasoning and Analytic Skills : Analyzing and synthesizing information to understand issues, identify options, and support sound (evidence based) decision making.
• Knowledge of legal and legislative principles and practice
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of legislation
• Experience in writing and researching documents such as legislative proposals, Cabinet Submissions and Ministerial briefing notes
• Ability to effectively translate ideas, concepts and information into either written or verbal form
• Legislation, Policies, Procedures and Standards: Understanding and using relevant legislation, policies, procedures and/or standards in performing one’s work.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Specific knowledge (however acquired) required to start: 

• Legal and ethical codes, court procedures, government regulations, framework, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process and legislative process, 
• Contract drafting, 
• Government Procurement Procedures, 
• Staff Orders for the Public Service; 
• Public Service Regulations, 1961; 
• Financial Administration and Audit (FAA) Act; 
• The Public Bodies Management and Accountability act; The Corruption Act; 
• The Constitution of Jamaica; 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor of Law degree 
• Legal Education Certificate from the Council of Legal Education 
• Five (5) years legal experience, preferably in the areas of Litigation, General Advice, Legislation & Constitutional Affairs and Commercial. 

Authority:

• Makes legal representation on behalf of the Ministry 
• Issue drafting instructions 
• Provide advice on legislative development and amendment 
• Provide advice on legal implications for policies developed

Specific Conditions associated with the Job

• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software.
• Willingness to work extended hours

The Ministry of Justice thanks all applicants for their interest, but only those shortlisted will be contacted.