Legal Counsel

JOB TITLE:

Legal Counsel, Compliance Officer and Land Administrator

DEPARTMENT:

Legal

LOCATION:

Otaheite Office

REPORTS TO:

Chief Personnel Officer

PURPOSE

Handling all legal matters land management matters and related projects, and to advise the Company on legal rights, duties and issues and is responsible for coordination of compliance audits and examinations, reviewing and updating compliance policy and procedures.

ROLES &

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drafts and reviews contracts, and other legal instruments, reports and policy documents
• Provides legal advice and opinions to management on issues and participate in contract negotiation
• Participates in dispute resolution on issues, investigatory teams, hearing and disciplinary hearings
• Reviews and advises on all industrial relation matters
• Manages the Company’s Litigation portfolio and external counsel as required
• Provides legal awareness on statutory developments and case law to client groups as required
• Develops and reviews Company policy and position on legal issues
• Researches, anticipates and mitigates the Company against legal risks
• Monitors compliance with rules and regulations and conducts compliance policy roll outs to staff of relevant policies and procedures as required
• Develop and maintain a compliance policy training plan for internal staff
• Investigate compliance complaints and coordinate action plans with other department and assists with internal audits of the compliance program
• Manages the identification and verification of lessees to be paid to surface owners and private owners of mineral deposits
• Ensure timely payment and processing of rental and lease payments
• Creation, monitoring, updating and maintenance of the lease rental system database or equivalent, including details of the lessees, and all pertinent dates in relation to terminations and renewals.
• Assist with negotiations and secures written consent of landowners/occupiers and access via lease, purchase or otherwise to conduct Company’s operations and prepares documents for compensation.
• Follows up on leases, tracks and monitors compliance with terms and conditions of leases, processes renewals and or termination as the case may be and ensures that finance information for payment of rent is up to date.
• Prepares reports on, makes recommendation for, and supports valuation of land leased by company to third parties
• Provides any other legal support to internal stakeholders as required.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Critical thinking - using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions
• Complex problem solving - identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
• Law and government - knowledge of laws, court procedures, precedents and government regulations
• Oral expression - the ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and effectively
• Written comprehension - the ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
• The ability to take a collaborative approach to working in a team
• Good interpersonal and team-working skills
• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision and guidance
• Ability to handle conflicting demands with demonstrated ability to find solutions

HSEQ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to the company’s current Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality Management Systems (HSEQMS).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Law/Legal Education Certificate
• Practicing Attorney with a minimum of 5 years work experience
• Good computer skills and familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook etc.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations
• A minimum of two (2) years’ related experience with a minimum of one (1) year in the oil and gas industry. 
• Familiarity with national legislation pertaining to oil and gas, land administration and tenure in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Reading and interpreting cadastral and maps.