Child & Family Legal Services Manager (Children's Authority)

Our Client, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (CATT), is seeking candidates to fill the position of Child & Family Legal Services Manager. This position is offered as a three (3) year renewable contract.

Our Client, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad & Tobago (CATT), is seeking candidates to fill the position of Child & Family Legal Services Manager. This position is offered as a three (3) year renewable contract.

Summary of Position:

The Child and Family Legal Services Manager is responsible for the overall management and oversight of the Child and Family Legal Services department.  The incumbent will develop and implement policies, procedures and standards governing the legal department's operations, monitoring and evaluating the department's performance and resolving any conflicts or complaints. He/she will be required to provide expert specialist legal advice to managers of the Authority on a broad range of complex and sometimes sensitive legal issues.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Provide leadership and ensure efficient and effective management of staff and resources in the Legal department.
• Review and provide legal advice on tender documents.
• Review ongoing cases and advice management accordingly.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken.
• Provide legal protection and risk management advice to management especially on contract management.
• Provide and interpret legal information, conduct training and disseminate appropriate legal requirements to staff.
• Review and advise management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures.
• Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements.
• Review progress of outstanding litigation and liaise with and manage external lawyers.
• Support the General Manager – Legal Services and General Counsel with the department's strategic vision and ensure the department provides a professional service aligned with the Trust's needs.
• Act for the General Manager Legal Services and General Counsel as required.
• Act as the legal expert for the Authority, managing all aspects of the Legal Services Department, providing legal advice across a broad range of areas including clinical negligence, employer’s and public liability and other child care and protection issues.
• Provide management and leadership to the Legal Services Team including responsibility for staff development to enable them to perform to best of their abilities.
• Draft and negotiate simple and complex contracts
• Perform other related duties.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in law
• Legal Education Certificate (to practice law in Trinidad and Tobago)
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience required, with a minimum of 3 years of concentration in one or more of the specialized practice areas of family law, commercial, property or employment law.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those favourably considered will be contacted. 

Closing Date: November 5, 2023