Senior Legal Officer

The Senior Legal Officer will provide leadership and legal advice/guidance on a wide and diverse range of issues.

PORT AUTHORITY OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

The Senior Legal Officer (SLO) will provide leadership and legal advice/guidance on a wide and diverse range of issues. He/she will operate as a critical member of the strategic management team and directly support the General Manager/Chief Executive Officer in establishing and maintaining a performance driven culture thus enabling the attainment of operational efficiency and effectiveness.

The incumbent will provide legal services to the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago Governing Unit (PATTGU) as well as its three (3) Subsidiary Companies /Strategic Business Units (SBUs). He/she is expected to identify the critical problems to which the application of legal principles yields the greatest opportunities for minimizing risks and claims, thereby enabling the achievement of the Authority’s business goals.

The incumbent also represents the Authority or instructs the Authority's external Attorneys with litigation and other legal activities.

Development of Human Capital

• Liaises with the Human Resource Department as necessary and ensures that all HR Policies and Procedures are implemented in the Legal Department;
• Ensures the on-going evaluation of employees and development /implementation of the appropriate training and development plans where necessary;
• Coordinates activities within the Department that would encourage employee engagement and commitment.

Management of Department

• Develops a departmental action plan in alignment with the Authority’s strategic plan;
• Develops and ensures implementation of departmental strategies and plans to ensure the achievement of departmental as well corporate goals and objectives;
• Develops and manages the Department’s approved budget;
• Directs, co-ordinates and reviews the work of professional legal staff by providing training, advice, guidance and direction on legal matters;
• Provides Legal Services to the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago;
• Provides Legal Services to the three (3) Subsidiary Companies /Strategic Business Units (SBUs);
• Represents and/or ensures the effective representation of the PATT and its subsidiary companies in legal proceedings;
• Represents the Authority by presenting information, observations, opinions and arguments to statutory bodies and other external stakeholders;

Management of Department cont’d

• Represents and or ensures effective representation of the PATT in industrial relations matters including attendance at the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Court, Magistrates Court or Supreme Court, particularly with respect to OSHA Matters, grievances and trade disputes concerning Executive/Senior Management and matters before the Registration, Recognition and Certification Board (RRCB), along with the Industrial Relations Manager;
• Drafts Pleadings and progresses matters in the Privy Council, Court of Appeal, High Court and Magistrates’ Court, along with external Counsel;
• Drafts documents and progresses matters before the Equal Opportunity Commission/Tribunal;
• Drafts, advises on and negotiates Deeds of Leases, Rental Agreements, Contracts and other legal documents;
• Provides legal advice, support and representation (when necessary) to PATT’s Estate Police Constables in criminal matters concerned with their daily functions, and in certain criminal private complaints brought before the Magistrate Court;
• Provides Legal Opinions on various subject matters;
• Oversees the maintenance and improvement of the Legal Department’s computerized and manual legal database of documents;
• Oversees and monitors the use of any legal research subscriptions purchased by PATT for the Legal Department;

 Legal Requirements

• Monitors and ensures advice, interpretations and options are provided on a wide range of legal issues to the Board and Management as required;
• Analyzes and advises on a broad range of complex laws and regulations affecting the operations of the Authority including those arising from corporate structures and business models;
• Prepares Board Papers with respect to issues and matters related to the Legal Department and Attends Board Meetings as required;
• Prepares Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, Briefs. Presentations, Memoranda, Letters, and other legal documents;
• Manages and coordinates assignments to external counsel or law firms engaged by the Authority on complex issues to ensure value for money;
• Participates in and/or supervises the review of existing legislation, rules and regulations pertaining to the PATT and advances recommendations/amendments as necessary;
• Represents the PATT on management sub-committees, special committees, meetings etc. as directed;
• Conducts training/sensitization sessions with executive/senior managerial staff to disseminate information on approved Departmental policies and procedures;
• Ensures a system of routine advice to management on new and revised laws and court decisions relevant to the Authority’s business;
• Reviews existing systems, policies and procedures and implements appropriate to improve productivity and the delivery of quality legal services;
• Reviews legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy;
• Participates in or supervises court case preparation work such as interviewing witnesses, taking depositions and preparing pre-trial briefs and preparing draft pleadings for filing;

Legal Requirements cont’d

• Supervises the conduct of research and analysis on legal matters pertinent to PATT;
• Liaises with the appropriate management personnel and ensures the execution of and compliance with legal and other regulatory requirements as are relevant to the PATT’s operations
• Leads or participates in negotiations/consultations with external and / or internal stakeholders as directed
• Performs any other related duties

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, TRAINING AND WORKING EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors of Law Degree (L.L.B.) from an accredited academic institution;
• Legal Education Certificate (L.E.C.);
• A valid up-to-date Practicing Certificate;
• Master’s Degree in Law, Business Administration or any other discipline relevant to the PATT’s business operations, will be considered an asset;
• Evidence of formal training and/or experience in Industrial Relations;
• Evidence of formal training and/or experience in Mediation;
• Evidence of formal training and/or experience in Employment Law;
• Evidence of formal training and/or experience in Arbitration;
• Extensive experience in Legal Practices;
• Ability to engage in critical thinking, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to prepare reports and make recommendations on a wide range of Legal Matters;
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;
• At least ten (10) years post qualification experience as an Attorney at Law;
• Any other equivalent combination of qualifications, training and working experience will be considered.