Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel at Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Qualifications

For appointment to this grade, an officer must have:-

• A cumulative number of Ten (10) years relevant experience from the date of admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya ORserved for Two (2) years at the level of Principal Prosecution Counsel DPP 6/JG’N’.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education;
• Admission as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya; and
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work perfomance and results.

NOTE: Possession of a Masters degree in law or any other social science from a recognized institution and a Senior Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution will be an added advantage;

Core Skills/Competencies

In addition to the above requirements, an officer must have the following skills:-

• Litigation skills and Prosecutorial skills;
• Legislative drafting and law reform skills;
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system;
• Knowledge and appreciation of laws and professional standards;
• Research skills;
• ICT skills;
• Organizational and administrative skills;
• Supervisory skills;
• Policy implementation skills;
• Arbitration skills;
• Negotiation skills;
• Interpersonal and Communication skills; and
• Problem solving skills

Personal Qualities

In addition to the above requirements, an officer must have the following qualities: –

• Ability to get well with a diverse workforce;
• Honesty and integrity;
• Positive working attitude;
• Ability to give and take instructions;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Creativity and innovativeness;
• Ability to build and lead cohesive teams;
• Ability to work under pressure; and

Responsibilities

An officer at this level may be deployed to work in any of the Departments at the Headquarters or County Office. Specifically, duties and responsibilities will entail

• Undertaking prosecutions to ensure justice on cases forwarded is delivered in a timely manner;
• Undertaking research on assigned legal issues and compiling reports on relevant information gathered, to ensure the prosecution services offered are well informed and are of high quality, and to enhance on the efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of service;
• Preparing preliminary legal documents/instruments and opinions, in line with the ODPP quality standards, to ensure proper preparedness for prosecution cases that enhances the quality of judgements delivered;
• Monitoring compliance with principles and values of good governance, human rights, transparency, in order for ODPP to gamer the trust of stakeholders on the ability of ODPP to deliver quality public prosecution services
• Ensuring that staff who report to the position are accountable, ethical and have integrity in the delivery of service, to garner the trust of stakeholders on the ability of ODPP to deliver on just public prosecution services;
• Organising stakeholder consultation in the delivery of public prosecution services, to ensure ODPP receives the necessary support in the management of public prosecutions;
• Monitoring the implementation of individual work plans, to ensure high quality standards are maintained, and that service meets set timelines;
• Advising ministries, departments, and agencies on legal policy issues, to ensure full compliance with the law and the relevant guidelines in the delivery of justice;
• Studying and evaluating case files presented and deciding on whether to prosecute, to ensure all cases are attended to in a timely manner;
• Preparing appropriate documents for appeal review, or revision and related proceedings, to ensure ODPP is well prepared to manage the appeals process in order to deliver timely and quality service;
• Supervising the delivery of service by the prosecution counsel, to ensure delivery of quality service that meets set timelines; and
• Facilitating participation of victims, witnesses, complainants and accused persons in the criminal justice system and protection of their rights to ensure a seamless judicial process.