Senior Legal Officer

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Job Description

The Great Council of Chiefs (Bose Levu Vakaturaga) was established in 1876, with the primary purpose to serve as an advisory body on Indigenous affairs, ensuring traditional leadership structures were acknowledged and integrated into the governance system. The Great Council of Chiefs (GCC) being independent plays a crucial role in advising on matters related to Good Governance and Wellbeing of the iTaukei.

The Senior Legal Officer ensures that the Great Council of Chiefs Office (GCCO) operates within legal frameworks, provides legal advice, reviews policies, and collaborates with stakeholders on legal matters. This role is crucial in safeguarding the legal integrity of the GCCO and supporting its mission to uphold and advance the indigenous Fijian culture and governance system. The role reports to the Manager Operations.

Outcomes

Organisational Stakeholders
1. Legal Compliance Ensured
Legal frameworks are adhered to, ensuring the council operates within all applicable laws and regulations. Compliance audits are conducted regularly, identifying and addressing any legal risks. Legal documentation is reviewed and maintained, ensuring all records are accurate and up-to-date. Regulatory changes are monitored continuously, ensuring the council remains compliant with new laws and regulations. Internal policies are aligned with legal standards, ensuring consistency and compliance across all operations. Legal training is provided to staff, enhancing their understanding of relevant laws and regulations. Risk management strategies are developed and implemented, minimizing potential legal liabilities. Legal compliance reports are prepared and submitted, ensuring transparency and accountability. Legal advice is integrated into strategic planning, ensuring all initiatives comply with legal requirements.
2. Legal Advice Provided
Guidance on legal issues and dispute resolution is provided, supporting informed decision-making. Legal opinions are prepared and presented, offering clear and actionable advice. Legal risks are assessed and mitigated, ensuring the council's activities are legally sound. Legal precedents are researched and applied, ensuring decisions are based on established legal principles. Consultations with external legal experts are conducted, providing additional perspectives and expertise. Legal implications of contracts and agreements are reviewed, ensuring all terms are favourable and compliant. Dispute resolution strategies are developed and implemented, minimizing conflicts and promoting amicable solutions.
3. Policy Review Conducted
Laws affecting the iTaukei are reviewed, ensuring policies align with legal requirements and protect iTaukei rights. Policy recommendations are developed, reflecting current legal standards and best practices. Legal implications of proposed policies are analysed, providing insights into potential impacts. Existing policies are evaluated regularly, ensuring they remain relevant and effective in protecting iTaukei rights. Comparative analysis with international legal standards is conducted, ensuring policies meet global best practices. Stakeholder feedback is incorporated into policy reviews, ensuring policies are comprehensive and inclusive.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration Ensured
Collaboration with key stakeholders on legal matters is maintained, fostering strong relationships and effective communication. Legal perspectives are integrated into stakeholder discussions, ensuring comprehensive consideration of legal issues. Legal support is provided for stakeholder agreements and negotiations, ensuring all parties' interests are protected. Regular meetings with stakeholders are conducted, ensuring ongoing dialogue and collaboration on legal matters. Stakeholder concerns and feedback are addressed promptly, ensuring their views are considered in legal decisions. Joint initiatives with stakeholders are developed, promoting shared goals and mutual benefits.
5. Organisation's image and value standards demonstrated and promoted
Collaborate with other teams in the organisation for the benefit of the organisation Monitor and encourage team members to uphold image and value standards Uphold and demonstrate the organisation's image and values
6. Teamwork and cooperation
Cooperation within the team and greater function / department Cooperation across functions / departments Work collaboratively to achieve the set targets and goals

Responsibilities - Critical Competencies

Competence	Description
Business
Business Performance	Manage the performance of the organisation.
Systems and Procedures	Develop and/or apply procedures to assist the organisation achieve its goals.
Information Analysis	Make informed decisions by collecting and interpreting data and information
Documentation	Communicate using formal business writing.
Customer
Quality Focus	Deliver quality.
Organisational Values	Display the organisation's image and value standards.
Social and Cultural Awareness	Respond respectfully and effectively to people of different cultural and social backgrounds.
People
Problem Solving	Develop practical solutions to a situation.
Negotiation	Reach agreement through discussion and compromise.
Self-Management	Manage your priorities and objectives efficiently and effectively
Professional
Technical Strength	Demonstrate knowledge of a specialist discipline.
Compliance	Comply with relevant laws and the policies and procedures of the organisation.
Research	Apply formal research methodologies.

Qualifications

Qualification	Discipline	Notes
Preferred
Degree	Laws

Work Knowledge and Experience

1. A valid certificate to practice law in Fiji or the relevant jurisdiction.
2. Minimum of 5 years of experience: As a legal officer or in a similar role, preferably with experience in corporate or commercial law
3. Experience in Legal Research and Analysis: Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough legal research and produce high-quality reports
4. Knowledge of Applicable Laws: Strong understanding of laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the role

Requirements

Language Proficiency
Excellent command of English

Interactions

Interaction	Comments
Internal
All employees
External
Regulators
Statutory Authorities
Stakeholders

Attributes

Attribute	Definition
Behavioural Styles
Accountable	Assumes full responsibility for own actions and identifies with the success or failure of own part of the overall work/goal.
Achiever	Puts in effort to achieve a desired result or goal and is motivated by this end and the overall accomplishment.
Detail oriented	Attends to the small elements of a task/activity, ensuring completeness and accuracy.
Integrity	Adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
Punctuality	Completes a required task or fulfills an obligation before or at a previously designated time
Interpersonal Styles
Objective	Impartial and honest in dealings with others, eliminating own feelings and view to reach a balanced judgement.
Perceptive	Shows keen insight and understanding of issues or situations.
Realistic	Shows concern for facts and reality, rejecting the impractical.
Thinking Styles
Analytic	Able to separate things into their constituent elements in order to study or examine them, draw conclusions, or solve problems.
Decisive	Reaches conclusions, promptly and firmly.