Job Description
<p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);" times="" new="" roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-gb;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"=""><b>All applications must include:</b></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-gb;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"=""><b>1) Cover Letter (addressed to the Manager Human Resources, Legal Aid and Advisory Authority, No. 23, Stanmore Avenue, Newtown, 190210),</b></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-gb;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"=""><b>2) Curriculum Vitae</b></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-gb;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"=""><b>3) Copy of all relevant Certificates.&nbsp;</b></span></p><p><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:9.5pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:" times="" new="" roman",serif;mso-fareast-font-family:calibri;="" mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-gb;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"=""></span></p><div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b><u>Job Profile</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 16px;">The incumbent is required to manage and direct the activities of the Public Defenders Department and render legal services. Duties include planning, directing and coordinating the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">work of professional legal staff and legal support staff. Duties also include appearing in court, providing legal advice and opinions and drafting legal documents on the more complex legal matters involving the Authority.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Oversees the Department to ensure it is operating as mandated.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div> </div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="transition-property: all; font-size: 16px;"><b><u>Duties and Responsibilities</u></b></span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Supervises and oversees the administration of all public defenders and public defence offices.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Supervises and evaluates the work of public defenders and support personnel.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Assigns and reviews the work of junior public defenders while providing training, advice, guidance and direction on legal matters.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Represents the Authority in Court and before Tribunals on the more complex legal matters.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Reviews systems, policies and procedures and makes appropriate recommendations to improve productivity and quality service.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Advises on the more complex legal issues related to the administration, interpretation and enforcement laws pertaining to the operations of the Authority.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Participates in and/or supervises the review of existing legislation, rules, and regulations pertaining to the Authority and recommends/formulates appropriate amendments.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Supervises the conduct of research and analysis on legal matters pertinent to the Authoritys operations.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Leads or participates in negotiations/consultations with external/internal parties.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Makes recommendations to the Authority in relation to the criminal justice system.</span></div><div style="letter-spacing: 0.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div>
Key Competencies
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="transition-property: all; font-size: 16px;"><b><u>Qualifications, Experience and Training</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Minimum of ten (10) years as a practising Attorney-at-Law with criminal practice experience.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Bachelor of Law degree from a recognised institution.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Legal Education Certificate or equivalent from a recognised institution.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"> Admission to practise law in Trinidad and Tobago.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="transition-property: all; font-size: 16px;"><b><u>Knowledge, skills and competencies</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Extensive knowledge of legal and policy issues affecting public defenders and their clients.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Considerable knowledge of management and operations of public defence programs.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Extensive knowledge of the criminal Laws of Trinidad and Tobago.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Considerable ability to supervise attorneys and support staff.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Considerable ability to plan and evaluate public defender programs and service-delivery strategies.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Considerable knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Considerable skill in trial advocacy, negotiation and mediation.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Must have exceptional communication skills, in written and oral form.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Ability to present and explain statements of facts and the law, and to argue clearly and logically, orally and in writing.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Ability to supervise professional legal staff performing criminal law work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;"></div>