Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer the Senior Legal Officer / Company Secretary is responsible for planning and executing the general legal activities of the Authority, provide administrative and secretarial support to the Board, maintain the official seal and all official documents such as Acts/Regulations, Minutes of all Board and Committee meetings and Annual reports and provide advice on all legal matters and corporate governance.

KEY OUTPUTS:

• Legal documents prepared
• New laws and regulations prepared
• Amendments to existing laws drafted
• Meetings organized and Minutes produced
• Board reports published
• Board Procedural  manual developed and implemented
• Corporate governance standards and policies developed and promulgated
• Records/documents and corporate seal maintained
• Information/advice provided

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Legal Responsibilities

• Prepares legal documents such as regulations, agreements and memoranda of understanding
• Examines and comments on bills emanating from government ministries which may be related to agricultural production and rural development issues.
• Coordinates with the office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel and the Attorney General’s Office in the preparation of new laws and regulations relating to the Authority
• Instructs the Chief Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that the policies of the Authority are represented in Bills
• Provides legal advice on international conventions relevant to the Authority
• Prepares all Cabinet Submissions seeking approval for the enactment of laws
• Drafts necessary amendments to existing laws related to the regulatory framework and administration of the Authority
• Attends meetings of the legislation committee and sittings of the House of Representative at which Bills relevant to the Authority are being considered

Corporate Governance Responsibilities

• Organizes meetings of the Board and it committees; prepares notices and agenda, prepares venue and takes care of general housekeeping.
• Attends meetings of the Board and its committees; records proceedings, prepares resolutions, produces and distributes minutes to board/committee members.
• Circulate Board decisions which require action and monitors implementation thereof.
• Keeps Directors abreast of all communications and directives from the Chairman.
• Coordinates publication of the Authority’s Annual Report and other major reports.
• Develops and implements an operating manual for the Board of Directors; provides orientation for new directors to the Board and serves as a primary contact for directors.
• Participates in the development of a performance evaluation framework for Board and Committee members.
• Develops and promulgates the adoption of corporate governance standards and policies for the Authority to include Board, Committees, Executive Management Functions.
• Maintains a system for the control and safe custody of all permanent records, documents and reports of the Board as well as specified official company records.
• Coordinates the disbursement of payments and other benefits to directors and keeps appropriate records.
• Prepares briefs for the instruction of the Chairman of the Board to enable his effectiveness in addressing various meetings/matters.
• Provides relevant persons/agencies with information and assistance with respect to Board activities, procedures and its records.
• Maintains custody and governs use of corporate seals.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES

• Excellent knowledge of Government regulations, policies and procedures
• Good knowledge of the regulations, policies and procedures of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority
• Working knowledge of International Conventions relevant to the Authority’s activities
• Sound knowledge of the Laws of Jamaica
• Knowledge of Public Sector Management

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B.)
• Certificate in Legal Education
• Experience as a Broad Secretariat would be an asset
• Five (5) years’ experience in private or public sector three (3) of which must be at senior management level.