Ministry of Culture and Community Development
Port of Spain
Job Description
The incumbent is required to manage and direct the activities of the Legal Services Unit or Division of a Ministry/Department and render legal services. Duties Include planning, directing and coordinating the work of professional legal staff and legal support staff. Duties also include providing legal advice, representing the Ministry/Department in Court, at Tribunals and meetings, drafting and reviewing legal agreements and other legal documents and participating in negotiations, mediation and arbitration.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<ul><li></li><li>Plans, directs and co-ordinates the activities of the professional legal staff and other support staff engaged in the provision of legal services to a Ministry/Department.</li><li>Plans, organizes and directs the development of the work programme of the Legal Services Unit/Division. Directs, co-ordinates and reviews the work of professional legal staff performing duties such as :</li><li>appearing in court and before other tribunals; providing advice on legal issues related to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws pertinent to the Ministry/Department's operations; drafting legal documents such as contracts, leases and agreements; preparing draft pleadings for filing; reviewing legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy; preparing legal opinions; and researching and analyzing legal matters/issues.</li><li>Provides advice and interpretation to senior management and staff on very complex legal matters/issues.</li><li>Drafts or leads the drafting of very complex legal documents/instruments.</li><li>Directs and participates in the review of existing laws and regulations pertinent to the Ministry/Department and in the recommendation of or the formulation of appropriate amendments.</li><li>Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before other tribunals in very complex legal matters.</li><li></li><li>Plans, directs and co-ordinates the review of systems and procedures, and the development of strategies/mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of legal services delivery.</li><li>Drafts budgetary estimates of the Legal Services Unit/Division.</li><li>Identifies and makes recommendations for staff training and development.</li><li>Serves as a resource in the training and development of legal staff.</li><li>Leads or participates in consultations and negotiations with external parties.</li><li>Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents.</li><li>Represents the Ministry/Department on committees, meetings and other fora. Performs other related work as necessary.</li></ul>
Key Competency
<p>Knowledge;</p><ul><li></li><li>Extensive knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of legal principles and practices.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the operations of the Ministry/Department.</li><li>Extensive knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</li><li>Considerable knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices, legal research skills and techniques.</li><li></li><li>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.</li><li>Skill in the use of personal computers.</li><li>Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.</li><li>Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</li><li>Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments.</li><li>Skill in negotiation, mediation and arbitration.</li><li>Ability to plan, organize, direct and co-ordinate the activities of a division providing legal services.</li><li>Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations.</li><li>Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law logically, orally and in writing.</li><li>Ability to maintain confidentiality.</li><li>Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, colleagues and members of the public.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Skills and Abilities;</p>