Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary

JAMAICA MORTGAGE BANK

INVITES APPLICATIONS

FOR THE POSITION OF

 LEGAL OFFICER & CORPORATE SECRETARY

The Role – Legal Officer

• Participates in the strategic planning function of the Bank.
• Develops and documents general legal guidelines to support the day-to-day activities of the Bank, makes these guidelines available to senior management and other relevant staff and assists them in their interpretation and application.
• Participates in the review and amendment to the loan origination and underwriting policies and limits for submission to the Board based on changes in the market place and JMB strategy.
• Keeps abreast of trends in the local and international housing industry and provides advice to the Board and management on the legal implications of those being considered for inclusion in the Bank.
• Prepares and submits routine and special reports as required.
• Keeps abreast  of new legislations  and guidelines affecting  the Bank’s operations  and advising the Board and the Management..
•  Provides legal advice and recommendations on policy, administrative and operational issues to maintain the Bank’s lawful privileges and secure its interests.
• Reviews all contracts, legal documents, proposed legislation and submissions, and provides guidance in order to protect the Bank from prejudicial terms of contract.
• Maintain carriage of sale and control of all land sales and other real estate transactions involving the Bank.
• Provides Legal advice as it relates to construction financing, and assist with the legal assessment and monitoring of construction projects financed by the Bank.
• Participating in the Bank’s Procurement Committee meetings and providing legal support with respect to the procurement process.
• Assists with the review of loan files on a sample basis to ensure that established JMB underwriting, loan origination and risk management processes are being complied with.
• Supervises the preparation of all official legal correspondence and records pertaining to the Bank and drafts all legal documents.
• Reviews proposals for action by the Board in lieu of policy and statutory requirements related to the business of the Bank.
• Recommends creative legal approaches in pursuit of the objectives of the organisation, utilising external counsel when desirable.
• Initiates and monitors litigation proceedings against delinquent clients, provides briefs to instruct outside counsels in respect of any legal actions to be filed by or against the organisation and accepts service of legal documents on behalf of the organisation.
• Represents the organisation at hearings, case management conferences and negotiates settlements where necessary.
• Serves as custodian for securities and provides legal services for the perfection of the relevant securities
• Responsible for Bad Debts/Collections and the management of the various work out processes with clients with regards to past due/outstanding debts.

The Role - Corporate Secretary

Maintain and safeguards official and legal corporate records, documents and reports; files reports, statements and information as required by law; maintains custody of the corporate documents and affixes the corporate seal as required.

• Arranges meetings of the Board of Directors and its Sub-Committees; prepares appropriate documents, resolutions, notices and agenda and records minutes of meetings.
• Provides legal advice on matters relating to Corporate governance issues.
• Coordinates the preparation and dispatch of Board minutes. Ensures timely dissemination of Board decisions, follows-up and ensures timely feedback where required.
• Advises directors and offivcers of the Bank of statutory liabilities imposed upon them with respect to transactions involving the Bank

Qualifications and Experience:

 The ideal candidate will have a law degree (LLB) or a master of laws degree (LLM) and

• Certificate of Legal Education
• An Attorney-at-law license to practice in the Courts of Jamaica
• At least six (6) years of practical experience in Conveyance, Real Estate Law, Loan contracts and Securitization.
• Knowledge of the Public Bodies Management and Administration Act (PBMA) and the GOJ Corporate Governance Framework is a plus
• Knowledge of construction financing and development would be an asset
• At least six years’ experience as a practicing attorney in the private or public sector