DEPARTMENT : ADMINISTRATION
JOB TITLE : CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
GRADE : I
RESPONSIBLE TO : PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
NO. OF POSITIONS : ONE (1)
MAIN PURPOSE
Under the general supervision of the Principal Secretary, the incumbent oversees legal matters for the Ministry of Transport, advising when changes are made to transport-related laws and providing training on legal matters for employees; assists in investigating issues of non-compliance, suggesting corrective measures; and liaises with/briefs external counsel.
MAIN DUTIES
- Leads and directs the activities of the Legal Section
• Advises on the decision and policy making processes of the Ministry in order to ensure proper interpretation of laws and compliance with all statutory requirements: to ensure that the Legal Section receives appropriate priority and budget; and to be able to align its strategy and operational plans Ministry strategies.
• Develops the policy and long and short-term work plans of the Legal Section;
and collaborates/coordinates with external legal professionals to crea
te the capacity required to ensure quality service delivery to the Ministry
and continuous improvement of professional standards in legal advice.
• Manages the staff employed in the Legal Section to ensure there is
on-going learning and development in line with the Ministry’s skills develop
ment plan; that current and future skills needs are met; and that unnecessary staff i ssues are avoided.
• Represents the Ministry in all forums which are aimed at
pursuing and examining Transport laws, participation in
relevant conferences, meetings and symposia to keep abreast with current developments.
• Continuously liaises with line departments to be aware of their
issues timeously and assist in resolution.
- In conjunction with other members of the Ministry’s leadership, r
eviews existing legislation to identify potential problems, bottlenecks and obsolete reg ulations and revise/redraft where necessary.
• Prepares cabinet Memorandum and information papers to seek
policy clearance for the review and or enactment of Transport
laws and other laws relevant to the functions of the Ministry.
• Prepares and submits drafting instructions to the parliamentary
draftsman for the drafting of legislation to effect implementation
of the Ministry’s policies.
• Reviews draft agreements, contracts and other legal instruments bef
ore they are signed to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and protect the interests of the Ministry.
• Advises and provides training on legal matters to staff outside the
department to ensure that the implications of new/changed legislations are fully u nderstood and ensure proper compliance.
- Follows up and advises on instances of non-compliance to create a culture of compliance, build awareness of the requirements and enhance manage rial effectiveness.
• Involves and coordinates consultation with all relevant ministries,
departments and external legal professionals in specialized fields to ensure the best possible representation/protection of the Ministry interests.
• Continuously studies pieces of legislation administered by the
Ministry as well as Public Service Laws and advices on suitable
amendments thereto.
- Preparation of the sectional budget
• Interprets and enforces the budgetary guidelines on an annual
basis to ensure that they are well understood at sectional level.
• Checks and verifies the sectional budget to ensure that they are
in line with the provided guidelines and annual work plan.
• Negotiates and justifies budget at the departmental legal in
order to secure funds to finance legal activities.
• Consolidates the annual sectional budget for inclusion in the
ministerial annual budget.
- Supervision and Training
• Holds regular meetings with sectional staff to facilitate reporting
of activities.
• Plans, directs and coordinates the general administration of the
legal functions to ensure smooth running of the section.
• Guides legal staff on daily basis to assess their performance and
to provide assistance where necessary.
• Conducts Annual Performance Appraisal for the sectional staff
on quarterly basis to assess their performance and to provide
assistance where necessary.
• Identifies the training needs of the individual supervisees and
establishes the strategies to guide on their training and
development so as to promote their capacity, competence, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Monitors and evaluates the post training and development
performance of the supervisees in order to establish the extent
and impact of the undertaken training and development programs and determines the necessary action to maintain good skills and upgrade as necessary.
JOB SPECIFICATION
LLM plus three (3) years working experience at least as Seni or Legal Officer in a corporate or public service environment or equivalent position with professional record and integrity, and admission as an advocate.
OR
LLB Degree or its equivalent, plus minimum work experience of four (6) years as a Senior Legal officer in a corporate or public service environment or equivalent, with professional record and integrity, and admission as an advocate.
Core competencies
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Computer literacy.
• Excellent managerial and leadership skills.
• Dynamic, self-
motivated individual who is willing to go extra mile in
the discharge of his/ her duties.
• An individual leading by deed rather than a word of mouth.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good conflict management and negotiation skills.
•Ability to interpret the laws correctly from the decided case and sta
tus.
ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED.
Applications on relevant forms of G.P 104 for serving officers and GP 103 for job seekers duly accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, transcripts, National Identity Document, etc should be hand delivered to HUMAN RESOURCES DIVISION AT THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT:
NOT LATER THAN 07TH SEPTEMBER, 2020