Commercial Lawyers – Two Solicitors to work in the Attorney General’s Chambers for the St Helena Government, St Helena Island, South Atlantic

This will be on a 2 year Fixed Term Contract available immediately
Total Remuneration package: £67,900 - £74,200 per annum (which includes an International Supplement allowance, the rate is depending on family circumstances)

St Helena is a self-governing overseas territory under UK sovereignty, operating under a written Constitution with an Executive headed by a Governor and 5 Ministers with support from the Public Service, a Legislature including all other 12 elected Members, and an independent Judiciary. The Attorney General’s Chambers gives independent legal advice to Government, prosecutes crime and drafts legislation.

These public service posts within Chambers are critical to the development of St Helena. The posts require a minimum of 3 years PQE for applicants to be eligible.  These are two recently upgraded high powered posts available for commercial lawyers to meet legal service demand and assist a British developing country with unique lifestyle and career enhancing opportunities. Although better placed to develop with the opening of its international airport in 2017, St Helena is not self-sufficient and dependent on UK government aid which funds these posts as Technical Officers employed on contract by the St Helena Government. 

We are seeking to recruit two experienced commercial lawyers for the Attorney General’s Chambers.  The Law Officer team currently comprises:

• Attorney General, as principal legal adviser to the Government of St Helena
• Two Senior Crown Counsel (one on  Civil litigation, the other on Criminal prosecution),
• Two Crown Counsel (Commercial) posts currently advertised,
• One Crown Counsel (Civil) on advisory work and;
• Two full time Legislative Draftspersons, one working remotely.
• There are two Personal Assistants to help administer the Chambers.

There is also a Crown Counsel on Ascension Island for which the Attorney General is also responsible, as well as Tristan da Cunha.

For an insight into life on island please follow the attached link:

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/features/remote-island-working-/5114968.article

The Role for Commercial lawyers

Contracts – to provide legal support from the Attorney Generals’ Chambers to the Government of St Helena on contractual matters; the negotiation and conclusion of contracts with international and local suppliers of goods and services; including construction contracts connected with our development projects typically on FIDIC terms; with a keen focus on procurement issues.

Commercial – providing general commercial advice on land disposal, industry issues including fisheries, maritime issues and the environment, development projects and consultancies.

Both roles involve interacting with Ministry Directors, in particular Finance on Sustainable Developments, Procurement teams and Project Managers. Providing strategic direction on how projects can develop St Helena towards self-sufficiency.

Experience

• Substantial experience negotiating, drafting and concluding commercial contracts for goods and services
• Broad experience working on commercial law matters
• Experience of running own case load

Skill sets

• Strong analytical skills
• Good communication skills
• IT proficient
• Interpersonal skills
• Flexible attitude and adaptable to small island life
• Ability to work independently

In addition, you must demonstrate our core values of fairness, integrity and teamwork and use your diverse expertise and experiences to ensure your time on the Island has the broadest benefit to St Helena.  As an officer funded through the Technical Co-Operation Programme you will be expected to share your knowledge and skills beyond the workplace contributing to workforce, community and capacity development in St Helena.

Our Benefits Package Includes:

• An International Supplement, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at sthelenapublicservicejobs.sh
• Relocation Allowances, full details of which are in the Overseas Vacancy Information at sthelenapublicservicejobs.sh
• Annual Pension Contribution of 7.5% of salary
• Annual Leave of 30 days per annum plus Public Holidays

How to Apply:

An application form is available at sthelenapublicservicejobs.sh where further information can also be found, or you may contact Kedell Worboys on 0203 818 7610 or via email: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com.

Applications must be sent to recruitment@sainthelena.gov.sh and received by 11 Sept 2024.

To be considered for this role, you must complete our application form.  Failure to do so will mean that your application will not be considered.  Please do not submit your CV. 

The Public Service positively accepts applications from all members of the community regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, and will consider all applications on the basis of merit, in accordance with the person specification.