Legal Officer 3

Key Responsibilities:

Technical/Professional Responsibilities 

• Interviews clients to assess and evaluate information 
• Drafts and vets documents for clarification and regularization of lands.
• Interviews clients as well as peruse, assess and examine documents to ascertain their beneficial interest in the property 
• Interviews clients assessing whether the client has a right to claim by adverse possession. 
• Reviews documents to ensure formal and legal validity, accuracy of intent, legal correctness of endorsement. 
• Conducts interviews of applicants who seek registration of their parcel.
• Provides technical support to staff in the Division. 
• Provides legal advice to clients and the general public in connection with land tenure and related matters. 
• Researches/investigates enquiries from internal and external clients and provides appropriate response. 
• Attends Court island-wide as required. 
• Liaises with government and other agencies for the provision/retrieval of information related to the land tenure regularization and clarification. 
• Instructs and supervises the land tenure regularization and clarification process and advise on legal matters 
• Provides comprehensive review of the legal status of each applicant and their individual land holdings and provides clear directions as to the route to acquiring or clarifying a registered title 
• Keeps abreast of legal trends and issues pertinent to Conveyancing, Land registration, Probate Law and other related disciplines 
• Attends meetings on behalf of the Division and/or the Agency as directed
• Assists with public education/outreach programmes conducted by the Agency. 

Management/Administrative Responsibilities 

• Ensures quality of work undertaken is satisfactory. 
• Prepares and submits reports on land tenure regularization/clarification activities to Manager as required 
• Prepares individual work plan in alignment with divisional plan 
• Monitors staff compliance with the policies and procedures of the Division and the Agency. 
• Conducts performance appraisals in accordance with the Performance Management guidelines. 
• Assists with the training and development of staff members. 
• Fosters a culture of teamwork. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Performs other related duties that may from time to time be assigned by the Manager 

Required Skills/Competencies 

The incumbent should demonstrate: 

• Interpersonal skill 
• Presentation skill 
• Teamwork and cooperation 
• Compliance 
• Adaptability 
• Oral communication skills 
• Initiative 
• Time Management 
• Written communication skills 
• Integrity

Technical: 

• Keen attention to detail and critical thinking 
• Well-developed human resource management skills; 
• Excellent judgment and decision making skills; 
• Excellent knowledge of Conveyancing, The Registration of Titles Cadastral Mapping and Tenure Clarification (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act and other Land Legislations and Regulations; 

Minimum Required Qualifications and Experience

• Attorney-at-Law qualified to practice in Jamaica 
• Three (3) years’ experience in a legal position. 
• Conveyancing experience would be an asset