Senior Legislative Counsel (JLG/LO 5)

Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Clerk to the Houses, the incumbent will serve as Chief Legal Adviser to the Parliament and, in particular, will provide non-partisan legal services in relation to the legislative process to the Houses of Parliament and will act as General/Corporate Counsel to the Clerk to the Houses of Parliament and her staff, to the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and Commissions of Parliament, where requested. 💰Basic Salary: $9,401,821 - $12,644,404 per annum plus the applicable allowances.

Responsibilities

• Technical:

  • • Attends the sittings of the House of Representatives and Senate and supports the Clerk to the Houses in providing advice on matters of precedence, rules and procedures of the House; interpretation of the Standing Orders; powers and privileges, constitutionality;
  • • Ensures legislative instruments are accurate at every stage of enactment;
  • • Drafts Private Members’ Bills and Private Bills as required;
  • • Drafts legislative instruments as required;
  • • Assists the President and the Speaker with the review of Questions and Motions to be tabled in both Houses to ensure conformity with the relevant Standing Orders;
  • • Liaises with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Legal Reform Division, Law Revision Committee, Legislative Liaison Officers and representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies in facilitating the legislative process;
  • • Provides parliamentary, procedural and general legal advice to the Parliament, Presiding Officers, parliamentarians, Committees, Clerk and her staff;
  • • Provides technical advisory services to parliamentary committees in conducting their functions as stipulated in the respective Standing Orders;
  • • Assists the Clerk in the design and development of a comprehensive parliamentary post– election orientation programme;
  • • Reviews draft Reports of Parliamentary Committees;
  • • Supports and provides legal advice to the Committee/Commissions to the Commissions of Parliament;
  • • Assists with preparation and presentations at parliamentary seminars, workshops and continued learning to internal and external audiences;
  • • Leads comprehensive review of the Standing Orders of the Houses of Parliament where necessary;

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Monitors and supervises the activities of staff of the Branch;
  • • Participates in the preparation of the Strategic and Operational Plan of the Houses of Parliament;
  • • Prepares Strategic and Operational Plans for the Branch;
  • • Prepares Quarterly Status Reports of activities of the Branch;
  • • Prepares Annual Budget for the Branch;

• Human Resource Management:

  • • Assists with and advises on Industrial Relations and employment issues;
  • • Conducts performance evaluation review for staff of the Branch;
  • • Recommends training and job development programmes for staff of the Branch;
  • • Reviews and checks output of staff of the Branch to ensure that it is of the required standard;

Required Skills

• • Excellent research and analytical skills
• • Ability to work on own initiative
• • Strong leadership and management skills
• • Sound negotiating skills.
• • Excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills
• • Excellent judgment, decision making and problem solving skills
• • Excellent oral and written communication skills
• • Excellent interpersonal skills and team building skills
• • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• • Ability to pay keen attention to details
• • Results oriented
• • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Laws Degree
• • Certificate in Legal Education
• • Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience as a legal adviser
• • Experience in legislative drafting & knowledge of Labour Laws would be an asset
• • Qualified to practice in Jamaica

Additional Information and Instructions

• • Job involves a high degree of interaction and responsibility to the Houses of Parliament and Parliamentary committees
• • May be required to work long hours (50 hours weekly) over protracted periods
• • Political and emotionally charged environment
• • Long periods of sitting

Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Tuesday, 21st January, 2025 to: Clerk to the Houses Houses of Parliament Gordon House 81 Duke Street Kingston 📧 Email: clerk@japarliament.gov.jm ℹ️ Subject: Senior Legislative Counsel (JLG/LO 5) 🔑 Please include the job title in the subject line of your email. ⚠️ Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. WORKING CONDITIONS:

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