Senior Manager - Legal & Advisory at The Commission on Administrative Justice (Office of The Ombudsman)

REPORTING TO: DIRECTOR LEGAL AND ADVISORY
DIRECTORATE: LEGAL & ADVISORY
UNIT/DEPARTMENT: LEGAL
GRADE: CAJ 4

JOB PURPOSE

This position is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient handling and resolution of complaints made against public agencies or officers and to provide technical, administrative, strategic and legal services to the commission.

Managerial Responsibilities

a) Support in the formulation and implementation of policies and strategies for effective discharge of the functions of the directorate in accordance with the strategic goal of the commission
b) Develop the directorate work plan, procurement plan and quarterly progress reports to ensure that activities are on track and in accordance with the mandate of the commission
c) Organize and allocate tasks to staff members in the directorate to ensure optimal utilization of the resources in the department
d) Monitor the implementation of projects within the directorate to ensure that project goals and timelines are met

Operational Responsibilities:

a) Handle complaints by clients against public agencies or officers on matters that relate to administrative justice
b) Represent the commission on legal proceedings before courts and tribunals on matters that relate to administrative conduct of public agencies or officers
c) Prepare on behalf of the commission sound legal and advisory opinions on complaints that have been wedged against public agencies and officers
d) Conduct legal research on cases pending before the commission to come up with an opinion to determine the way forward in the pursuit of justice for the complainants
e) Draft and review contracts for the commission to ensure that the commission’s risk is limited
f) Implement mechanisms for formal hearings by the commission to facilitate investigations into matters arising from the administrative conduct of public agencies or officers
g) Draft court documents on complaints that relate to administrative justice to ensure that the complaints are handled efficiently and that justice is achieved
h) Draft reports on legal matters: special reports, annual and bi-annual reports for review by the Director to determine the performance of the directorate
i) Participate in the promotion of public awareness of policies and administrative procedures on matters that relate to administrative justice and outreach activities by the commission

Academic & Professional qualifications

• Master’s Degree in any related field
• Bachelor’s Degree in LLB
• Post graduate diploma in law
• Other required knowledge that would be regularly applied to the job

a) Knowledge and exposure to Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms
b) Computer literacy
c) Thorough understanding of the constitution, legal policy and institutional framework in the public sector
d) Knowledge of professional ethics and standards
e) Knowledge of relevant legislations

Soft skills that would be regularly applied to the job

a) Leadership skills
b) Communication and organisational skills
c) Negotiation skills
d) Ability to build and lead cohesive teams
e) Problem solving skills

Minimum years of experience

8 years of post-admission experience and service, in a comparable position from a reputable organization