Legal Officer

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional:

• Conducts a range of 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 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 to 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 for the review of the Senior Assistant AG for the attention of 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 provide 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 advise on legal implications of internal policies and procedures;
• Provides legal advice to Ministry on all areas of law;
• Represent the Ministry by participating on Inter-ministerial Committees or Teams in relation to legislation or policy in which the Ministry has an interest;
• 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.