Legal Officer (JLG/LO 3)

Job Purpose

Under the leadership and direction of the Director, Legal Services, the Legal Officer is responsible for providing technical legal care to guide the operational legal processes and systems for the Judiciary. The legal services include the provision of general legal advice to the Executives and Directors/Managers of various Divisions/Branches/Sections/Units of the Judiciary, organizing and co-ordinating the review, amendment and promulgation of operational legal documents for which the Judiciary has responsibility, preparing and/or vetting leases, various types of contracts and instructing the Attorney General’s Chambers and other legal consultants, as well as monitoring litigation. 

Key Responsibilities

• Prepares, peruses and vets contracts, lease agreements and other legal documentation;
• Provides general legal advice to the Judiciary on all aspects of the law as it affects the organization’s operations; 
• Prepares legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents including complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses and other pleadings; 
• Researches statutes, constitutions, regulations and Court opinions including precedents and reasoning, as well as, trends using standard print texts and computers (preparing legal memoranda); 
• Assembles case materials by collecting, organizing and summarizing information, documents, reports and evidence; 
• Provides statistical data and information to support the Judiciary by utilizing relevant research methods to collect information; 
• Designs and maintains Statistical Database(s) to facilitate analysis and planning of legal matters for the Unit; 
• Instructs the Attorney General’s Chambers and specialist legal consultants on behalf of the organization; 
• Functions as a liaison between the Judiciary and other external Legal Departments such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Attorney General, Legal Reform Division, the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and private law firms/inhouse legal establishment; 
• Reviews complex Technical Submissions from various Divisions/Branches/Sections/Units of the Judiciary for legal risk and other implications; 
• Provides guidance relating to disciplinary and grievance issues and assists in maintaining a harmonious Industrial Relations Environment; 
• Collaborates with various Divisions/Branches/Sections/Units of the Judiciary in developing, implementing and maintaining operational policies and procedures to guide the operations of the Judiciary; 
• Provides advice on contracts and tender documents to appropriate staff to ensure compliance with the GOJ’s Public Procurement Law; 
• Makes recommendations to the relevant officers of the organization to undertake investigations, as well as the preparation of statements and affidavits to facilitate the proper representation of the Judiciary/CAD in litigious matters; 
• Keeps current with the latest tools/techniques in legal analysis and methodology to determine what new solutions and implementations will meet CAD/Judiciary business/operational requirements. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Excellent interpersonal and team management 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: 

• Good knowledge and understanding of Commercial, Conveyance, Contract, Property and International Laws; 
• Good research and legal writing skills; 
• Good knowledge and understanding of the legal framework of the Government of Jamaica; 
• Good knowledge and understanding of contract negotiations and drafting;
• Knowledge of and experience in GOJ operations and Public Sector matters;
• Deep analytical capability and ability to apply strategic thinking to financial reporting and analysis; 
• A strong sense of trust and a high level of confidentiality and integrity;
• Strong ability to synthesize multiple ideas and complex information into a coherent summary, as in reports and briefing notes, and to make cogent recommendation for the modification or creation of legislation, policies and programmes; 
• Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver presentation with tact, clarity, enthusiasm and accuracy to widely varied audiences; 
• A high level of initiative and self-motivation; 
• Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills; 
• Aptitude for developing and maintaining collaborative relations with team members both within and outside the organization; 
• Familiarity with procedures, policies and legislation governing the machinery of government; 
• Knowledge of the Government processes, including policy development, financial planning, performance management systems and basic theories, principles and methods of analysis; 
• Knowledge of computerized systems and software, with an emphasis on the MS Office suite and projects. 

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB); 
• Certificate of Legal Education; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in the areas of Commercial, Contract and Property Laws. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• 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 overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.