Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs
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
<div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">- 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.</span></div><div>- Plans, organizes and directs the development of the work programme of the Legal Services Unit/Division. </div><div>- Directs, co-ordinates and reviews the work of professional legal staff performing duties such as: </div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. Appearing in court and before other tribunals;</div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 2. Providing advice on legal issues related to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws pertinent to the Ministry/Departments operations; </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 3. Drafting legal documents such as contracts, leases and agreements; </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 4. Preparing draft pleadings for filing; </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 5. Reviewing legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy; </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 6. Preparing legal opinions; and </div><div>&nbsp; &nbsp; 7. Researching and analyzing legal matters/issues. </div><div>- Provides advice and interpretation to senior management and staff on very complex legal matters/issues. </div><div>- Drafts or leads the drafting of very complex legal documents/instruments. </div><div>- 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. </div><div>- Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before other tribunals in very complex legal matters. </div><div>- 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. </div><div>- Drafts budgetary estimates of the Legal Services Unit/Division. </div><div>- Identifies and makes recommendations for staff training and development. </div><div>- Serves as a resource in the training and development of legal staff. </div><div>- Leads or participates in consultations and negotiations with external parties. </div><div>- Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters, and other documents. </div><div>- Represents the Ministry/Department on committees, meetings and other fora. </div><div>- Performs other related work as necessary.</div>
Key Competencies
<b><u>KNOWLEDGE: </u></b><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>&nbsp;- Extensive knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago. </div><div>&nbsp;- Extensive knowledge of legal principles and practices. </div><div>&nbsp;- Extensive knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the operations of the Ministry/Department. </div><div>&nbsp;- Extensive knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence. </div><div>&nbsp;- Considerable knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices, legal research skills and techniques.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div><b><u>SKILLS AND ABILITIES: </u></b></div><div>&nbsp;- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite. </div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in the use of personal computers. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use e-Government technology platforms. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use the internet for research purposes. </div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in drafting legal documents/instruments. </div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in negotiation, mediation and arbitration. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to plan, organize, direct and coordinate the activities of a division providing legal services. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to present and explain statements of fact and the law logically, orally and in writing. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to maintain confidentiality. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, colleagues and members of the public.</div><div><b><u><br></u></b></div><div> </div><div><b><u>MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: </u></b></div><div>&nbsp;- Minimum of ten (10) years experience as a practicing Attorney at Law. </div><div>&nbsp;- Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution. </div><div>&nbsp;- Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago.</div><div><u> </u></div><div><u> </u></div>