Ministry of Land and Legal Affairs
Port of Spain
Job Description
The incumbent is required to supervise junior legal officers performing legal work in the Legal Services Unit/Division of a Ministry/Department. Duties include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions and drafting legal documents on the more complex legal matters involving the Ministry/Department. The incumbent also assists in planning, organizing and preparing the work programme of the Unit/Division.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
- Supervises junior legal officers and other staff providing legal support work. <div>- Assigns and reviews the work of junior legal officers while providing training, advice, guidance and direction on legal matters. </div><div>- Plans, organizes and prepares the work programme of the Legal Services Unit/Division. </div><div>- Represents the Ministry/Department in court and before other tribunals on the more complex legal matters. </div><div>- Drafts the more complex legal documents including contracts, leases, and agreements. </div><div>- Reviews systems, policies and procedures and makes appropriate recommendations to improve productivity and quality service. </div><div>- Confers with relevant official of Ministries/Departments and attends meetings to give professional legal advice. </div><div>- Prepares and/or reviews legal opinions. </div><div>- Reviews legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy. </div><div>- Advises on the more complex legal issues related to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws pertaining to the operations of the Ministry/Department. </div><div>- Participates in or supervises the preparation of instructions for submission to state central legal agencies on legal matters involving the state. </div><div>- Participates in or supervises court case preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pre-trial briefs and preparing draft pleadings for filing. </div><div>- Supervises the conduct of research and analysis on legal matters pertinent to the Ministry's/Departments operations. </div><div>- Participates in and/or supervises the review of existing legislation, rules, and regulations pertaining to the Ministry/Department and recommends/formulates appropriate amendments. </div><div>- Reviews systems and procedures and recommends or devises strategies/ mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of legal services delivery. </div><div>- Leads or participates in negotiations/consultations with external/internal parties. </div><div>- Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters, and other documents on legal matters. </div><div>- Represents the Ministry/Department on committees and in meetings and other fora. </div><div>- Performs other related duties as required.</div>
Key Competencies
<b><u>KNOWLEDGE </u></b><div>- Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago. </div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal principles and practices. </div><div>- Considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the operations of the Ministry/Department. </div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices. </div><div>- Considerable knowledge of legal research skills and techniques. </div><div>- Considerable knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</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;- Skills in drafting legal documents/instruments. </div><div>&nbsp;- Skills in negotiation, mediation and arbitration. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use e-Government technology platforms. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to use the internet for research purposes. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to supervise legal officers performing professional legal work. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations. </div><div>&nbsp;- Ability to present and explain statements of facts and the law, and to argue clearly and 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 and members of the public.</div><div><br></div><div> </div><div><b><u>MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING </u></b></div><div>- Minimum of eight (8) years experience as a practicing Attorney at Law. </div><div>- Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution. </div><div>- Admission to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div>