Corporations Secretary at The Brand Kenya

Ref: BKB/HR/CS/07/2016-2017

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, this position is responsible for the Board’s Legal function and responsible for the Board of Directors matters in consultation with the CEO.

Oversees the formulation and implementation of legal policies and procedures in line with the Board’s Strategic Plan.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:- 

The following are the key responsibilities and duties for this position:

1. Operational Responsibilities / Tasks:

• Advise the Board on matters related to corporate governance, laws, regulations and ethics to ensure that all legal risks are identified and properly managed
• Provide Secretarial Services to ensure that the Board’s work-plan is prepared and adhered to, Board and Committees papers are circulated in advance of meetings, a record of attendance at meetings is kept and Board decisions are implemented;
• Prepare the schedule of Board and Committee meetings for the year and prepare the agendas for these meetings in conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer and Committee Chairpersons;
• Act as custodian of the Board’s legal documents including the register, seal, leases and contracts;
• Participate in the formulation of the Board’s strategic plan, develop and administer the department’s work plan and budget;
• Review the Board’s legal and regulatory framework to ensure compliance and removal of impediments;
• Represent the institution on all legal matters and participate in the selection of legal advisors;
• Arrange for legal audits and ensure that all recommendations arising thereof are implemented;
• Interpret the Constitution and all laws that affect the Board on behalf of management and the Board and advise on compliance;
• Oversee the negotiations of commercial transactions including but not limited to license agreements, confidentiality agreements, content distribution agreements and vendor agreements;
• Take the necessary action to protect the Board’s and Kenya’s rights, privileges and interests in intellectual property and other product innovations and processes through patents and copyrights;
• Ensure the Board complies with statutory requirements including filing annual returns and renewal of licences;
• Ensure proper management of the pension scheme and the provident fund;
• Set, monitor and evaluate performance targets for staff in the division in line with the strategic plan; team spirit and effective succession planning;
• Participate in meetings of Stakeholders and Management as necessary;
• Prepare and present performance reports
• Review the issues being presented to the Board and advise as appropriate;
• Coordinate consolidation of Board’s Annual Reports and ensure that statutory deadlines are met and that statutory and regulatory disclosures are validated, particularly in relation to statements given on corporate governance standards and practices in the Board;
• Ensure Departmental compliance with the relevant ISO standard and procedures of the Board; and,
• Any other duties incidental thereto

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Lead the department by budgeting, planning and directing resources to achieve targets and objectives;
• Build a highly effective team, by leading, managing and motivating staff and by directing and coaching them where appropriate, so that they achieve excellence in delivery.
• Ensure performance measures are designed to evaluate performance of the Legal function against the Board’s strategic plan;
• Ensure timely and comprehensive reporting is done on work undertaken on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis including for performance contracting;
• Take responsibility for the reports emerging from the Legal function and all documentation sent to the Director and the CEO.
• Play a senior leadership role in bringing along the internal community within Brand Kenya Board to support the delivery of targets and goals by developing effective and strategic interpersonal and interdepartmental relationships; and,

Minimum qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) or other relevant field from a University recognized in Kenya;
• Master’s degree in Law (LLM), Business Administration or other relevant field will be an added advantage;
• Diploma in Legal Practice from the Council of Legal Education;
• Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Must be a Certified Public Secretary;
• At least seven (7) years’ experience, three (3) of which should be as a Corporate Secretary or in a comparable and relevant position preferably within the public sector;
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK);
• Member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya;

Key competencies:

• Report Drafting and minutes writing skills;
• IT proficiency;
• Analytical skills;
• Project management;
• Conversant with the Kenya Law;
• Management, organizational and leadership skills;
• Demonstrate ability to build cohesive teams and to achieve goals through team work;
• Decision making;
• Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in a demanding and fast changing environment;
• Excellent relationship management, negotiation and networking skills;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strategic orientation;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged information and ensure absolute discretion and sensitivity to confidential matters;