Job Description
<div>The incumbent is required to perform professional legal work in a Ministry/Department. Duties include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions, and drafting legal documents on matters involving the Ministry/Department. Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to perform some or the full range of the duties of the position.<br></div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<div><span style="font-weight: bolder;">Duties and Responsibilities</span></div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before tribunals.</span><br></li><li>Advises on legal issues relating to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws relative to the&nbsp;<span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Ministry's/Departments operations.</span></li><li>Drafts complex legal documents including contracts, leases and agreements.</li><li>Provides legal opinions and briefs in respect of complex legal issues.</li><li>Prepares instructions for submission to state central legal agencies on legal matters involving the state.</li><li>Performs court cases preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pre trials briefs and draft pleadings for filing.</li><li>Assists in planning, directing, coordinating and formulating legal policies and programmes of the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Conducts research&nbsp; and&nbsp; analysis,&nbsp; and&nbsp; reports&nbsp; on&nbsp; legal&nbsp; matters&nbsp; pertinent&nbsp; to&nbsp; the&nbsp; Ministry's/Departments operation.</li><li>Conducts or participates in negotiations/consultations with external/internal parties.</li><li>Participates in or conducts the review of existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the Ministry/Department and recommends/drafts appropriate amendments.</li><li>Represents the Ministry/Department on committees and meetings and other fora.</li><li>Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents on legal matters.</li><li>Performs other duties as required.</li></ul><div><br style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"></div><p><br></p>
Key Competency
<p style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><span style="font-weight: bolder; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><u>Knowledge</u></span><br></p><ul><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.</li><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of legal principles and practices.</li><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the&nbsp;Ministry's/Departments operations.</li><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices.</li><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of legal research skills and techniques.</li><li style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Knowledge of the court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</li></ul><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><br></div><p><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><b style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><u>Skills and Abilities</u></b><br></div></p><ul><li>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.</li><li>Skill in the use of personal computers.</li><li>Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments.</li><li>Skill in negotiation and mediation.</li><li>Ability to use eGovernment technology platforms.</li><li>Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</li><li>Ability to analyse and interpret laws and legal issues.</li><li>Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, orally and in writing.</li><li>Ability to maintain confidentiality.</li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow&nbsp;<span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">employees and members of the public.</span></li></ul><div><br></div><div><b>Minimum Experience and Training</b></div><ul><li><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Minimum</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">of</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">four</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">(4)</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">years</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">experience</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">as</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">a</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">practicing</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Attorney</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">at</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">law.</span></li><li>Bachelor<span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">of</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Law</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Degree</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">from</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">a</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">recognised</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">institution.</span></li><li>Legal<span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Education</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">Certificate</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">or</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">equivalent</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">from</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">a</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">recognised</span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -17pt;">institution.</span></li><li> Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago<b><br></b></li></ul>