Staff Assistant; Legal

Post Context

Headquarters Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFCNF) provides a resilient, static Joint headquarters to plan, prepare and conduct operations across all domains in peacetime, crisis and conflict, in order to support NATO’s three core tasks, at the Joint Operational level, as directed by SACEUR.

The Command Group (CG) principals consist of the Commander (COM), Deputy Commander (DCOM) and Chief of Staff (COS). The Command Group provides and sustains operational level Joint command and control capabilities at the designated readiness states, so the COM can conduct the full range of assigned military operations throughout the assigned NATO Area of Responsibility (AOR) and beyond.

The Office of the Legal Advisor (LEGAD) provides legal advice, technical guidance and other assistance to the CG and staff to ensure HQ actions remain in compliance with all governing treaties, international agreements and applicable laws, NATO policy and guidance to fulfil all Alliance obligations.

The incumbent is responsible for all paralegal assistance for all areas covered by to the Office of the LEGAD. While the paralegal will be an integral member of the JFCNF Legal team they will initially physically work in HQ Supreme Allied Command Transformation (HQ SACT) which is co-located in NSA Hampton Roads, Norfolk but located in a different building. The purpose of this is for the paralegal to benefit from the experience gained by the HQ SACT Legal Assistance team who are currently providing the legal assistance function for JFCNF staff.

• Provide paralegal assistance on behalf of the Office of the LEGAD to assist all non-US JFCNF military and civilian staff members and their dependents to move to and live in the USA. Known colloquially as “Legal Assistance” this includes providing initial guidance to JFCNF staff on entitlements and obligations regards the following (including but not limited to):
  • Visa and residence matters
  • Employment in the USA
  • Education in the USA
  • Payment of Property taxes and other local taxation
  • State and Federal court matters; and
  • Driving and insurance matters.
• Providing and maintaining a contact database of suitably-qualified US Attorneys to give to JFCNF staff members should they require substantive legal advice on any of the above matters.
• Paralegal assistance for all areas covered by the Office of the LEGAD as required by the Chief LEGAD.
• Researching, analysing and studying law sources for preparing drafts of legal briefs for approval, review, and advance use by Legal Advisers on operational and international legal issues.
• Proofreading legal documents as required.
• Maintaining retrieval and information storage services including legal search facilities and library. Acts as Information Management Staff Officer for LEGAD in Information Management Working Group if required by Chief LEGAD.
• Acts as (alt) Lessons Learned point of contact; attends the Lessons Learned Working Group if required by Chief LEGAD.
• Maintains legal records.
• Serves as (alt) Training Officer for courses, seminars, conferences if required by Chief LEGAD.
• Acts as data protection processor for the Office.
• Keeps abreast of law developments relevant to the Legal Advisor activities and (legal) office management tools and procedures.
• Performs a range of different work activities in a variety of structured environments, using appropriate methods, tools and applications in a rational and organised approach.
• Plans and schedules own work within short time horizons.
• Provides general office support and direct administrative support to the chief LEGAD and to other members of the Office of the LEGAD as directed by the LEGAD.

• Higher Secondary education and intermediate vocational training in library, information science, management information systems, computer science or related discipline; and minimum two years’ experience of providing office support and performing administrative duties. or Two-four years’ experience as a Legal Assistant in a legal assistance environment involving direct problem-solving interaction with clients.
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Good…