Assistant Attorney-General (JLG/LO 4)

Summary

Under the general direction and management of the Senior Assistant Attorney General, the Assistant Attorney-General provides advice and guidance on a range of legal matters to support the work of the Minister and Permanent Secretary in the strategic management of the Ministry. 💰Salary: $7,716,512 - $10,377,851 JMD per annum

Responsibilities

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Conducts a range of complex legal research to provide legal guidance and support in furtherance of the mission critical functions of the Ministry and its subjects;
  • • Prepares written opinions and advice on a range of complex legal matters impacting the Ministry and its subjects;
  • • Provides legal support to the Ministry and its subjects in the preparation of Cabinet Submissions and Drafting Instructions, in respect of items on the legislative programme;
  • • Provides legal support to Ministry during policy development in relation to matters which form part of the legislative programme;
  • • Assists in the preparation of Bills for tabling and provides legal support in the preparation of the Minister’s Briefs;
  • • Prepares, assists, reviews and amends legal documents or instruments required by the Ministry and its subjects;
  • • Drafts or reviews Agreements, Contracts or Memoranda of Understanding;
  • • Prepares legal briefs to the Senior Assistant Attorney-General to support the escalation of nuance or highly complex legal matters, or matters of national importance, to obtain legal advice from the DSG;
  • • Prepares briefs to the Department of Legal Reform or the Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel, requesting comments on draft Cabinet Submissions;
  • • Provides comments on draft Bills or draft policy papers submitted by other Ministries or Departments;
  • • Responds to queries or provides information, as necessary or required;
  • • Assists in preparing, collating and executing Affidavits and other evidentiary matters in litigation involving the Ministry or its subjects;
  • • Follows-up and provides updates on legal matters and attends Hearings on behalf of the Ministry;
  • • Reviews and advises on legal implications of internal policies and procedures;
  • • Provides legal advice to the Ministry on all areas of law;
  • • Represents the Ministry by participating on Inter-Ministerial Committees or teams, in relation to legislation or policy in which the Ministry has an interest;
  • • Recommends remedies to rectify identified deficiencies and breaches;
  • • Remains current on GOJ policies/initiatives in an effort to add value and inform decision making;
  • • Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, maintaining membership in professional organizations and participating in AGC initiatives.

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Contributes to the development of the LSU’s Strategic and Operational Plan and Budget;
  • • Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the Division’s Plan;
  • • Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, as required;
  • • Prepares reports and project documents, as required;
  • • Prepares and delivers legal presentations, as needed.

• Human Resources:

  • • Participates in the evaluation and monitoring of staff performance and implements appropriate strategies;
  • • Participates in the co-ordination of Work Plans and recommends performance targets for the staff assigned;
  • • Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Unit;
  • • Identifies skill/competency gaps and contributes to the development and Succession Planning for the LSU, to ensure adequate staff capacity;
  • • Participates in preparation and implementation of presentations on role of Division/Unit for the Orientation/On-boarding Programme;
  • • Contributes and maintains a harmonious working environment.

• Other:

  • • Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required, from time to time, by Senior Assistant Attorney-General and respective senior executives in the Ministry.

Required Skills

• Core:

  • • Excellent interpersonal and team management skills
  • • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • • Strong leadership skills
  • • Strong customer relations skills
  • • Excellent planning and organizing skills
  • • Excellent judgment and decision-making skills
  • • Ability to influence and motivate others
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

• Technical:

  • • Excellent legal research and analytical skills
  • • In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica and the broad field of Law or practice relating to Constitutional and Legislative Affairs
  • • Highly developed knowledge of the mandate, objectives, strategies, policies and environment of the AGC-HQ and Ministry
  • • Excellent knowledge of the English legal system and the legal framework of Government
  • • Ability to analyse and interpret changes in the economic, political and social environment and the legal implications to the operations of the GOJ
  • • Excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation skills, and the ability to communicate legal information in a manner which can be understood by decision makers and users
  • • Ability to exercise sound judgement and convictions of purpose in unfavourable or unpopular situations
  • • Problem solving and negotiation/facilitation skills and experience
  • • An excellent understanding of the machinery of government, including particularly the Jamaican context and the current challenges facing the GOJ
  • • Good strategic and analytical skills to advise on complex issues
  • • Good organisational and personal leadership

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Laws (LLB);
• • Legal Education Certificate;
• • Six (6) years progressive experience at the Bar.

Additional Information and Instructions

• Special Conditions Associated with the Job:

  • • The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions;
  • • May be required to travel locally and internationally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

Applications accompanied by résumés should be submitted no later than Thursday, 13th March, 2025 to: Director, Human Resource Management Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information 2-4 National Heroes Circle Kingston 4 📧 Email: jobapplications@moey.gov.jm 📜 Subject: Assistant Attorney-General (JLG/LO 4) Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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