Ministry of Finance
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, organising and preparing the work programme of the Unit/Division.
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<p>- Supervises junior legal officers and other staff providing legal support work.</p><div>- Assigns and reviews the work of junior legal officers while providing training, advice, guidance and direction on legal matters.</div><div>- Plans, organises 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 Ministrys/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 amendment.</div><div>- Reviews systems and procedures and recommends or devises strategies/ mechanisms to Improve the&nbsp;<span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">effectiveness of legal services delivery.</span></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 forum.</div><div>- Performs other related duties as required.</div><p></p>
Key Competencies
<p><b><u>Knowledge</u></b></p><p>- Considerable knowledge of the Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.</p><p>- Considerable knowledge of legal principles and practices,</p><p>- Considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to the operations of the Ministry/Department.</p><p>- Considerable knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices.</p><p>- Considerable knowledge of legal research skills and techniques.</p><p>- Considerable knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.</p><p><b><u>Abilities</u></b></p><p>- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite,</p><p>- Skill in the use of personal computers.</p><p>- Skill in drafting legal documents/instruments.</p><p>- Skill in negotiation, mediation and arbitration.</p><p>- Ability to use e-Government technology platforms.</p><p>- Ability to use the internet for research purposes.</p><p>- Ability to supervise legal officers performing professional legal work.</p><p>- Ability to analyse and interpret laws and regulations.</p><p>- Ability to present and explain statement of facts and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, orally and in writing.</p><p>- Abil1ty ta maintain confidentiality.</p><p>- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and members of the public.</p><p><br></p>