Malta Medicines Authority
Post of Manager (Legal)
(Jobsplus Permit No: 451/2024)
1. The Malta Medicines Authority invites applications for the post of Manager (Legal) within the Authority.
2. Terms and Conditions
2.1. The selected candidate will be employed as a Manager (Legal) Grade BII, according to the Medicines Authority Collective Agreement.
2.2. The Post of Manager (Legal) is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months.
3. Salary pegged to the post
3.1 The salary attached to the post of Manager (Legal) is that of €29,414.12 per annum.
3.2 Other benefits include a non-pensionable market corrector allowance of €3,500 per annum and a Cash Allowance of €1,368 per annum. A Qualification Allowance (if applicable) as established by the Central Administration in line with the Medicines Authority Collective Agreement.
4. Duties
Overall purpose
The Manager (Legal) is responsible to provide expert legal advice and support, overseeing regulatory compliance and representing the Malta Medicines Authority in legal matters, including litigation, contract drafting, negotiations and interpretation. The Manager (Legal) assists the Senior Head (Legal Affairs) in ensuring the overall smooth and efficient management of the operations of the Legal Unit within the Authority.
Functions
(a) Assist line Management in:
- Addressing both internal queries and those raised by Ministries and other entities;
- Compiling detailed and accurate publications, reports, meeting-minutes, and other pertinent documentation;
- Managing and addressing issues related to data protection and ensuring compliance with the relative Data Protection Act;
- Managing requests for documents submitted by the public, representing the Authority and ensuring compliance;
- Coordinating activities related to the Ombudsman concerning alleged complaints of economic, social, and cultural rights, while ensuring thorough documentation and timely responses; and
- Providing support as an Advocate in matters concerning points of Law; as may be required.
(b) Represent the Authority before:
- All Courts of Civil Jurisdiction on matters involving litigation, administrative proceedings and ancillary matters;
- All Courts of Criminal Jurisdiction in connection with criminal prosecutions; and
- All hearings in front of boards, tribunals, and other legal fora.
(c) Ensure:
- Active communication and collaboration with involved parties regarding enforcement cases and the required remedial actions following court rulings and/or legal proceedings;
- Continuous improvement of performance by employing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as appropriate to incentivise and monitor improvement;
- Compliance and adherence with relevant legislation, public administration protocols, and European Directives and policies through the examination of existing, new, and anticipated legislation and policies;
- Compliance with set standards and the quality management system of the Authority;
- Documentation and implementation of all policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
- Maintenance of appropriate contacts and necessary relations with Government departments, as well as other local and international organisations as required;
- Development, delivery, review and evaluation of the relevant strategies and quality documents;
- Necessary approvals are in place;
- Timely processing of tasks and issues for the respective area; and
- Efficient use of resources within the Authority.
(d) Draft, prepare, review and/or update:
- Bills and legal notices;
- Submissions required for court cases on behalf of the Authority in alongside relevant personnel; and
- Policies, procedures, regulations, agreements, contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents, as may be required.
(e) Provide:
- Advise on necessary amendments to acts or subsidiary legislation and carry out any necessary reviews of legislation from time-to-time;
- Advise on legal aspects pertaining to pharmaceutical activities and other matters, including but not limited to complaints against the Authority or individual personnel, court cases, etc;
- Support in carrying out translations from the Maltese to the English language and vice-versa, as may be required;
- Assistance in undertaking any necessary searches in various public registers to provide the required information, as may be required;
- Relevant and consistent information, advice and legal assistance to the Chief Executive Officer, Director/s, Senior Head/s and employees;
- Support to employees in order to maximise their potential, thereby enhancing efficiency and adherence to policies and guidelines of the Authority;
- Advice to Management as required, including proposing strategic solutions to related challenges; and
- Advice on internal control deficiencies and ensure system process controls are introduced and maintained.
(f) Continuously improve the performance of the organisation by:
- Promoting and maintaining strong professional and ethical working relationship with colleagues and stakeholders;
- Facilitating communication and collaboration between the different Units of the Authority;
- Engaging in newly established initiatives such as collaborative projects with other Departments, Entities and Ministries, whilst providing guidance and assistance as necessary;
- Representing the Malta Medicines Authority at meetings, seminars, conferences, and other fora, both locally as well as abroad;
- Monitoring and reporting performance against the KPIs relevant to the assigned area;
- Contributing to the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of potential risks in operational and administrative activities;
- Encouraging and ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of the service quality;
- Training, motivating, supervising, and monitoring other colleagues, as may be required; and
- Promoting the vision, mission, values, strategy, and objectives of the Authority.
(g) Any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, Director/s, Senior Head/s and/or appointed substitute.
5. Eligibility requirements
5.1 By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must be:
(i) a) Citizens of Malta; or
b) Citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters of employment by virtue of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
c) Citizens of any other country who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment by virtue of the application to that country of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
d) Any other persons who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment in terms of the law or the above-mentioned EU legislation and treaty provisions, on account of their family relationship with persons mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); or
e) Third country nationals who have been granted long-term resident status in Malta under regulation 4 of the “Status of Long-Term Residents (Third Country Nationals) Regulations, 2006” or who have been granted a residence permit under regulation 18(3) thereof, together with family members of such third country nationals who have been granted a residence permit under the “Family Reunification Regulations, 2007”.
The advice of the Citizenship and Expatriates Department should be sought as necessary in the interpretation of the above provisions.
The appointment of candidates referred to at (b), (c), (d) and (e) above would necessitate the issue of an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation. Jobsplus should be consulted as necessary on this issue.
(ii) Proficiency in the Maltese and English languages
(iii) Applicants should be in possession of a valid warrant to practice law in Malta as an Advocate in terms of Article 81 of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Chapter 12 of the Laws of Malta). Candidates are to present a scanned copy of the warrant with their application.
(iv) Applicants should have at least two (2) years post warrant experience in the legal field.
Other skills and abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of EU and National legislation, regulatory requirements, and international obligations relevant to pharmaceutical activities;
- Legal, interpersonal, communication, presentation, and general management skills;
- Ability to endure pressure, while exhibiting tact and firmness in potentially tense situations; and
- Experience in legislative drafting and working within regulatory entities is considered an asset.
6. Submission of supporting documentation
6.1 Qualifications and experience claimed must be supported by certificates and/or testimonials, copies of which should be attached to the application. Scanned copies sent electronically are acceptable.
6.2 Original certificates and/or testimonials are to be invariably produced for verification at the interview.
7. Selection procedure
Eligible applicants will be assessed by a Selection Board to determine their suitability for the post. The maximum mark for this selection process is 100% and the pass mark is 50%.
8. Submission of applications
Applications, together with a curriculum vitae showing qualifications and experience and a signed Data Protection Consent Statement (Appendix 1), are to be submitted to hr.medicinesauthority@gov.mt by not later than 25 May 2024.