Legal Officer (LEVEL 7)

Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Legal Services, the Legal Officer is responsible for providing advice on legal issues of various administrative and internal functions of the organisation, and the relationship of the organisation with third parties. The incumbent provides guidance to support the Forestry Department compliance with the obligations under the enabling statutes and all other pertinent legislation. 💰Basic Salary: $4,266,270 JMD per annum.

Responsibilities

• Key Outputs:

  • • Legal opinions and research papers provided
  • • Legal notices reviewed
  • • Enforcement case files reviewed, with clear recommendations given
  • • Case files for prosecution of offences prepared
  • • Prosecution of offences under Forest Act and Forest Regulations conducted
  • • Research and technical advice provided
  • • Contracts, leases, MOUs, and other legal instruments thoroughly prepared, vetted, or reviewed
  • • Database of laws, legal precedents, and prior advice relevant to the Agency developed and maintained
  • • Applications for licences and permits thoroughly vetted, with recommendations provided
  • • Training sessions conducted
  • • Monthly progress reports prepared and submitted

• Management/Administrative:

  • • Contributes to the Agency’s Corporate, Operational, and Strategic Plans
  • • Participates in seminars and training programmes to educate enforcement officers of the Agency and other Government Agencies
  • • Represents the Agency at local, regional, and international meetings, conferences, and other fora as required, and prepares summary reports
  • • Prepares monthly reports on activities during the relevant period

• Technical/Professional:

  • • Undertakes legal research and drafts legal opinions and position papers
  • • Reviews legal notices and land descriptions under the Forest Act or for Forestry Department management
  • • Provides support in preparing notices for gazetting
  • • Prepares legal documents to facilitate land transfers and relevant transactions
  • • Analyzes and prepares case files for prosecuting offences under the Forest Act and Regulations
  • • Advises on negotiating settlements on behalf of the Agency
  • • Represents the Agency in Court and other tribunals as necessary
  • • Provides and interprets legal documentation on company issues with recommended solutions
  • • Reviews enforcement files and investigation reports, providing recommendations
  • • Evaluates information submitted by Enforcement Officers and Investigators, implementing actions per Agency guidelines
  • • Drafts and reviews legal documents, including contracts, leases, and memoranda of understanding
  • • Advises on contracts and tender documents to ensure compliance with procurement legislation and legal requirements
  • • Reviews applications for permits and licences for legal compliance
  • • Drafts and reviews conditions for permits and licences
  • • Develops and maintains a database of legal information, precedents, and prior advice relevant to the Agency
  • • Assists in training Agency staff and other organizations on enforcement, compliance, contracts, and service level agreements
  • • Reviews draft legislations and policy documents from external entities
  • • Gathers information on areas of interest to the Agency for promotional activities
  • • Drafts and reviews legal documents for the Forestry Department
  • • Participates in workshops and community meetings

• Performance Standards:

  • • Legal opinions and research papers are timely, clear, thorough, and supported by appropriate authorities
  • • Legal notices are reviewed in accordance with established guidelines
  • • Enforcement case files reviewed in accordance with established guidelines and clear recommendations provided
  • • Case files for prosecution of offences are comprehensive, evidence-based, and prepared within the required timeframe
  • • Research and technical advice is sound and provided within the required timeframe
  • • Contracts, leases, and other legal instruments are thoroughly vetted and prepared in accordance with established guidelines
  • • Investigation reports are thoroughly reviewed and advice provided in keeping with established laws, policies, and guidelines
  • • Database of legal information, precedents, and prior advice is up-to-date and maintained in accordance with established guidelines
  • • Applications for licences and permits thoroughly vetted against established guidelines and completed within the required timeframe
  • • Training is developed and executed according to established standards and within agreed timeframes
  • • Reports are thorough, error-free, and delivered on time
  • • Confidentiality, integrity, professionalism, and decorum are displayed in the execution of duties
  • • Work Plan identifying outputs, measures, standards, and required resources is completed within the established timeline
  • • Key deliverables are produced within agreed timeframes to required standards

Required Skills

• Technical:

  • • Excellent knowledge of the English Legal System and the Legal Framework of Government
  • • Good knowledge of public sector laws, rules, and guidelines
  • • Proficiency in relevant software applications, in particular information databases, internet/intranet services, and library sources
  • • Working knowledge of office productivity tools

• Behavioural:

  • • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
  • • Excellent communication skills (spoken, written, and presentational)
  • • Ability to present difficult issues and positions with clarity
  • • Excellent interpersonal and teamworking skills
  • • The highest level of personal and professional integrity
  • • Strong leadership skills
  • • Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • • Excellent customer orientation skills
  • • Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders
  • • Ability to build partnerships in achieving operational goals
  • • Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications

Qualifications

• • Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree
• • Certificate of Legal Education
• • Experience or qualifications in environmental law or Forestry law is a distinct asset
• • Experience in Criminal and/or Civil Litigation is an asset
• • Experience in Conveyancing is an asset
• • Experience in Employment Law, International Law, Administrative Law, Arbitration and Negotiation Techniques, Legal Drafting and/or Company Law are desirable
OR
• • Any other acceptable combination of academic qualifications and experience

Additional Information and Instructions

Applications along with résumés should be submitted no later than Friday, February 7, 2025 to: Senior Director, Human Resource Management & Development Forestry Department 173 Constant Spring Road Kingston 8 ✉️ Email: Legal Officer (LEVEL 7) ℹ️ Subject Line: Senior Public Procurement Officer (Level 6) ⚠️ Please note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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