Paralegal Officer (PLG/LS 4)

Key Responsibilities

Technical/Professional: 

• Assists in the preparation of legal documents, under the guidance of the Legal Officers;
• Conducts research into legislation and other sources of law as directed;
• Researches, gathers and analyzes research data inclusive of statutes, legal articles, and relevant documents for review by the Legal Officers; 
• Prepares reports of analysis of research findings; 
• Assists in organizing meetings to review and discuss legal documents;
• Collates documents (bundles) in preparation for legal hearings and consultations;
• Updates Laws of Jamaica to ensure that legal volumes are kept current;
• Provides information to stakeholders and other parties subject to maintaining confidentiality and/or upon the instructions of the Legal Officers, where necessary;
• Liaises on an on-going basis with key stakeholders i.e. attorneys and other parties in facilitating review or development of legal documents. 

Management/Administrative: 

• Develops Individual Work Plans based on alignment to the overall plan for the section;
• Participates in meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences as required;
• Prepares reports and programme documents as required; 
• Performs all other related duties and functions, as may be required from time to time. 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Core: 

• Good interpersonal and teamwork skills; 
• Good communication skills; 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; 
• Strong customer relations skills; 
• Excellent planning and organising skills; 
• Excellent time management and organizational skills; 
• Excellent judgment and initiative. 

Technical: 

• Basic knowledge of the Common Law, including Commercial, Criminal and Civil Proceedings; 
• Good Knowledge of drafting legal documents; 
• Good knowledge of legal research methods; 
• Good knowledge of the AGC policies and procedures; 
• Working knowledge of GOJ operations and public sector issues; 
• Working knowledge of relevant computer systems and their applications.

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Certificate in Paralegal Studies; 
• Four (4) CSEC subjects, inclusive of English Language; 
• Three (3) years’ experience in a law office or legal environment. 

Special Conditions Associated with the Job

• The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines, which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions;
• May be required to travel locally to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.