JOB PURPOSE
Under the general direction and leadership of the Solicitor-General, the Deputy Solicitor-General, Commercial Affairs is responsible for providing expert advice and guidance on specific legal matters relating to commercial matters and all legal matters that fall under the remit of the Commercial Affairs Division. The Deputy Solicitor-General also contributes significantly to the strategic management and leadership of the Attorney-General’s Chambers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
- Oversees the provision of legal advice required to guide decisions on a range of Commercial Law matters that fall within the remit of the Commercial Affairs Division;
- Provides legal advice to ministries, departments and agencies of Government and Government Companies on a range of Commercial Law matters;
- Examines/reviews and comments on draft Cabinet Submissions, Bills and draft legislation;
- Reviews escalated legal matters from direct reports and provide comments/ feedback;
- Constitutes cross-functional teams from across the AGC to consider special or nuanced legal matters concerning the related functional area;
- Drafts and vets loan documentation, contracts and other commercial agreements;
- Provides legal advice regarding the sale and acquisition of assets of the Government;
- Acts as legal advisor to MDAs negotiating commercial transactions, including domestic and international financing transactions and international project financing transactions;
- Represents the Government on Arbitration Hearings, meetings of enterprise teams, boards, task forces and other committees;
- Plans and coordinates the execution of internal reviews relating to the portfolio of the Commercial Affairs Division;
- 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 Responsibilities
- As part of the senior management team assist in the development and revision of objectives and strategies guiding the AGC’s Strategic/Operational Plan;
- Plans, organizes, directs and monitors the work of the Commercial Affairs Division by overseeing the development of Corporate/Business, Operational, Work Plans and Budget;
- Participates in the quarterly evaluation of the performance of programme managers in achieving the objectives and strategies in the Strategic/Operational Plan;
- Advises and guides the AG, SG, on the formation, development and application of policy and strategic decisions relating to the remit of the Commercial Affairs Division;
- Prepares Progress, Annual, Special and other reports as necessary;
- Represents the AG and SG at meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars as required.
Human Resources Responsibilities
- Provides leadership and guidance through effective planning, delegation, communication, training, mentoring and discipline;
- Evaluates and monitors the performance of staff in the Division and implements appropriate strategies;
- Coordinates the development of individual work plans and recommends performance targets for staff assigned;
- Participates in the recruitment and training of staff of the Division;
- Recommends training, promotion and approves leave in accordance with established Human Resource Policies and Procedures;
- Identifies skills/competencies gaps and contributes to the development and succession planning for the Division to ensure adequate staff capacity and supports career development of direct reports;
- Monitors the performance of staff and facilitates the timely and accurate completion of the staff annual performance appraisals and other periodic reviews.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Core
- Excellent interpersonal and team management skills
- Excellent 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;
- Excellent knowledge of the common law and the legal framework of Government;
- In-depth and extensive knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica, Commercial Law and public or administrative law;
- Excellent written and verbal communication including presentation skills and the ability to communicate 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 enable them to advise on complex issues;
- Good organisational and personal leadership: the ability to orchestrate strategic outcomes; the ability to lead collaboratively and manage significant change in large and complex organisations; the ability to manage and engage high performing top teams that deliver within a budget, in a complex environment;
- Ability to create commitment to a strong and consistent customer service philosophy;
- Energy and resilience; the personal capacity to see the bigger picture and be able to navigate obstacles, ambiguity and change;
- Advanced IT skills in relation to Word, PowerPoint, Excel and MS Project and associated legal software.
Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Master of Laws Degree (LLM);
- Legal Education Certificate;
- Eight (8) years progressive experience at the Bar, preferable in Commercial Law
OR
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB);
- Legal Education Certificate;
- Ten (10) years progressive experience at the Bar.
Applications accompanied by detailed resumes should be sent by December 6, 2023 to:
Senior Director of Corporate Services
Attorney General’s Chambers
13 Hillcrest Avenue
Kingston 6
Please be advised that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.