Applications are invited from suitably qualified local candidates for the following positions tenable in the Ministry of Education and Training:
1. DEPARTMENT : ADMINISTRATION
POSITION : CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER
GRADE: I (M261 108.00- M307 860.00)
JOB SUMMARY
Under the general supervision of the Deputy Principal Secretary, The Chief Legal Officer will be responsible for provision of Legal Advice to the Ministry, review and drafting of legislation, supervision and training of staff, coordination of sectional activities and preparation of sectional budget.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Provision of legal advice to the ministry
1.1 Attends matters that have legal implications and makes opinion on own motion and as instructed by the Principal Secretary with relevant legal advice when considering the pronouncements.
1.2 Gives advice to the Ministry on applicable laws and rules, and also other staff operations as may be required in order to assist the office to perform its functions.
1.3 Analyses evidence tendered in a formal hearing and identifies legal questions to be determined in order to assist the Principal Secretary arrive at pertinent factual and legal conclusions at the end of the hearing.
1.4 Continuously studies pieces of legislation administered by the Ministry as well as Public Service Laws and advices on suitable amendments thereto.
1.5 Represents the Ministry against all civil suits when need arises.
1.6 Liaise with Human Resource.
2. Review and drafting of legislation
2.1 Prepares cabinet Memorandum and information papers to seek policy clearance for the review and or enactment of Education laws and other laws relevant to the functions of the Ministry.
2.2 Prepares and submits drafting instructions to the parliamentary draftsman for the drafting of legislation to effect implementation of the Ministry’s policies.
2.3 Drafts and reviews agreements and contracts between the Ministry and other parties when need arises.
2.4 Initiates preliminary drafts of technical legislation pertaining to ministerial functions.
3. Supervision and training
3.1 Holds regular meetings with sectional staff to facilitate reporting of activities.
3.2 Plans, directs and coordinates the general administration of the legal functions to ensure smooth running of the section.
3.3 Guides legal staff on daily basis to assess their performance and to provide assistance where necessary.
3.4 Conducts Annual Performance Appraisal for the sectional staff on quarterly basis to assess their performance and to provide assistance where necessary.
3.5 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.
3.6 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.
4. Coordination and sectional activities
4.1 Represents the Ministry in all forums which are aimed at pursuing and examining education laws, participation in relevant conferences, meetings and symposia to keep abreast with current developments.
4.2 Liaises with Law Office and other legal institutions on matters requiring legal opinion.
4.3 Works closely with other officers who deal with policy matters.
4A Liaises with heads of sections within and outside the departments to ensure mutual implementation of legal functions.
4.5 Facilitates the reporting of all criminal cases to the police.
5. Preparation of the sectional budget
5.1 Interprets and enforces the budgetary guidelines on an annual basis to ensure that they are well understood at sectional level.
5.2 Checks and verifies the sectional budget to ensure that they are in line with the provided guidelines and annual work plan.
5.3 Negotiates and justifies budget at the departmental legal in order to secure funds to finance legal activities.
5.4 Consolidates the annual sectional budget for inclusion in the ministerial annual budget.
JOB SPECIFICATION
• LLM plus three (3) years working experience at least as Principal Legal Officer or equivalent position with professional record and integrity, and admission as an advocate in the SADC Region.
OR
• LLB Degree or its equivalent, plus minimum work experience of four (4) years as a Principal Legal officer or equivalent, with professional record and integrity, and admission as an advocate in the SADC Region.
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 status.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SERVING OFFICERS MAY APPLY FOR GRADE F POSITIONS HERE ADVERTISED.
Applications on the relevant forms G.P. 104 for serving officers and G.P. 103 for job seekers duly accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates, performance appraisal forms transcripts, diplomas etc. must be addressed to:
The Principal Secretary
Ministry of Education and Training
P. O. Box 47
Maseru – 100
Not later than, 30th October, 2019