Royal Government of Bhutan s1

ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN ROYAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION Last revision 15-Dec-05

1. JOB IDENTIFICATION:

1.1 Position Title: Sr. Legislative Officer 1.2 Position Level: P3 1.3 Major Group: Legal, Judiciary and Legislative Services Group 1.4 Sub-Group: Legislative Services 1.5 Job Code No.: 13-611-01

1.6 Job Location: National Assembly Secretariat, Procedural & Advisory Division 1.7 Title of First Level Supervisor: Chief Legislative Officer

2. PURPOSE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: (Describe the main PURPOSE, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, indicating what is done and how it is done. Duties should be presented in decreasing order of percentage of time spent on them, or in order of relative importance).

Purpose: The purpose of the Sr. Legislative Officer is to help ensure that the laws, bills, acts, rules and regulations, and amendments presented to the National Assembly for endorsement are clear and consistent with the Constitution of Bhutan and national policies and legislation as well as in keeping with international treaties and conventions and recognized standards for good law-making. The Sr. Legislative Officer will contribute to the achievement of this by carrying out the duties and responsibilities below as well as any other tasks assigned to him/her by the Supervisor.

% of DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES time 1. To assist, and at times take the lead, in the planning, organization and smooth 60% conduction of National Assembly Sessions and Committee Sittings, including, but not necessarily limited to: a. The collection of agenda proposals and the preparation of Draft Agendas for National Assembly Sessions and Committee Sittings; b. The conduction of procedural studies and analyses with a view to assist the Chief Legislative Officer in providing procedural advice before, during and after National Assembly Sessions and Committee Sittings; c. The translation, analysis, preparation and presentation of briefings, technical reports and interpretations of national, regional and international laws, conventions, treaties and rules and regulations, and other legislative issues as requested by the National Assembly and its Committees and in close consultation with the Chief Legislative Officer; d. The performance of the role of Secretary to non-standing committees established by the National Assembly or to individual Members of the National Assembly when on special duty or assignments for the National Assembly in close consultation with the Chief Legislative Officer; e. The provision of professional, non-partisan, advice and guidance on procedures and legislative issues during the planning, conduction of and follow-up on Committee sittings in consultation with the Chief Legislative Officer; f. The assistance with the interpretation of laws and assessment of implications; g. The preparation, distribution and archival of Minutes of Committee Sittings and the communication of required follow-up activities; 30% h. The drafting and editing of Committee Reports and Briefings to be tabled to the National Assembly and other foras; 2. To facilitate the work of the Legislative Committee in close consultation with the Chef Legislative Officer, including but not necessarily limited to: a. The preparation, organization and implementation of training sessions for members of the Legislative Committee, based on the Legislative Committee Handbook, introducing members and observers to their roles and responsibilities, basic principles of legislative drafting and review, the criteria for good law-making and other key issues; b. The planning and organization of meetings of the Legislative Committee in consultation with the Chief Legislative Officer; c. The preparation of official correspondence, minutes of meetings, technical briefs and fact sheets; d. The provision of legislative and legal counsel and drafting services to the Legislative Committee during its review/preparation of proposed acts, bills, by-laws and amendments in order for the legislators to draft high quality, conceptually sound and legally enforceable legislations, including the provision of professional observations and opinions on the constitutionality, form, drafting style, legal implications and substance of bills, by-laws, rules and regulations; 10% e. The provision of prompt and authoritative professional legal advice, both written and oral, as to the constitutionality, legal sufficiency, form, drafting style; and analysis and recommendation on how proposed bills, acts, by- laws, rules and regulations comply with regional and international conventions, treaties, standards and norms as well as current Bhutanese policy. 3. To provide professional advice and support services to the Secretary, the National Assembly and its Committees as and when required, and to perform other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Secretary, including: a. The provision of legal counsel to Members of the National Assembly and the Secretariat; b. The conduction of research on the effect and impact of legislation endorsed by the National Assembly in close consultation with the Chief Research Officer; c. The preparation of contracts, deeds, and other legal documents and instruments to which the Secretariat is a part.

3. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: (Minimum requirement for performance of work described (Level of Knowledge, Skills and Ability). 3.1 Education: LL.B 3.2 Training: Should have successfully completed the Post Graduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) & training in legislature 3.3 Length and type of practical experience required: Minimum 4 yrs experience as Legislative Officer or equivalent experience 3.4 Knowledge of language(s) and other specialized requirements: Proficiency in written and spoken Dzongkha and English. Knowledge of other dialects of the country or other country would be an added advantage.

4. COMPLEXITY OF WORK. (Describe the intricacy of tasks, steps process or methods involved in work, difficulty and originality involved in work). The complexity of the work consist primarily in the need for an ability to rapidly develop an overview of often complex legislative and procedural problems, and to subsequently effectively communicate to colleagues and members of the National Assembly with different academic backgrounds the nature of the problem, its likely causes and effects, and possible strategies to remove or reduce the problem to colleagues and members of the National Assembly with different educational backgrounds.

5. SCOPE AND EFFECT OF WORK: (Describe the purpose, breadth of work performance, and the effect the work has on the work of others or the functions of organization).

The position requires providing legislative and legal advice and guidance to the National Assembly, its Committees and Secretariat on a range of legislative and legal issues pertaining to the preparation of new and amendment of existing legislation. The ability to facilitate the work of the National Assembly members in performing their duties by providing access to high quality professional services of a non-partisan nature is crucial in ensuring the preparation of good laws with broad-based support in and understanding among the Bhutanese People.

6. INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES AVAILABLE:

6.1 Instructions: (Describe controls exercised over the work by the Superior; how work is assigned, reviewed and evaluated). The Sr. Legislative Officer will be working closely with the Chief Legislative Officer with a view to pursue synergies in the provision of the best possible procedural and advisory services to the National Assembly and its Committees. Work will be assigned with a view to the relative strength and weaknesses of the division staff and following a consultative approach through which workload is shared. Although the Chief Legislative Officer will be responsible for overall quality assurance of the work, the Sr. Legislative Officer will be expected to be able to plan and conduct the majority of his/her support services to the Committees with minimal supervision.

6.2 Guidelines: (Indicate which written or unwritten guidelines are available, and the extent to which the employees may interpret, adapt or devise new guidelines).

The Draft Constitution, the National Assembly Secretariat’s Organisational Development Strategy, the Committee Act, and the Rules and Procedures of the National Assembly serve as the primary written guidelines. 6.2.1 Policies of the Royal Government. 6.2.2 Royal decrees, rules and regulations. 6.2.3 National and related international laws. 6.2.4 National Assembly Resolutions.

7. WORK RELATIONSHIPS: (Indicate the frequency, nature and purpose of contacts with others within an outside the assigned organization (other than contacts with superiors).

A part from other divisions of the Office, the position requires to interact with different agencies of the government in order to render services or to obtain information.

8. SUPERVISION OVER OTHERS: (Describe responsibility for supervision of other employees, including the nature of supervisory responsibilities and categories and number of sub-ordinates).

The position has limited supervision over the officials under him and provides directives and guidance on legal opinions.

9. JOB ENVIRONMENT: (Describe physical exertion required, such as walking, standing, lifting heavy objects, etc., and / or any risks or discomforts like exposure to hazards such as exposure to chemicals, infections, radiation, extreme weather and other hostile working conditions).