Assistant Director, Legal Services - 2 Posts at The Social Health Authority (SHA)

QUALIFICATIONS

Must have at least twelve (12) years cumulative work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the level of a Principal Officer or in a comparable position in the public or private sector;

• Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized institution;
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field from a recognized Institution is an added advantage. 
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law;
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya;
• Management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution.
• Proficiency in computer applications
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results
• Fulfill the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Strong analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Strategic and innovative thinking
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to mobilize resources
• Negotiation skills

Responsibilities:

• Cascading of Divisional targets and monitoring the same;
• Providing legal guidance on contractual and statutory obligations binding to the Authority;
• Providing and interpreting legal information, conducting training and disseminating appropriate legal requirements to staff;
• Safeguarding the Authority’s interests and ensuring that they are adequately defended before the courts;
• Managing, reviewing, and monitoring the progress of all outstanding litigation and post-litigation outcomes;
• Issuing instructions, liaising with the Authority’s appointed Advocates with a view to ensuring they act in the Authority’s interest while handling cases on its behalf;
• Ensuring compliance with constitutional, regulatory and all relevant laws in force through the provision of legal advisory services and contractual risks are efficiently managed;
• Undertaking an extensive review of different requests for approval, licenses both internal and external for purposes of ascertaining legal soundness, making appropriate recommendations and ensuring proper implementation;
• Document and maintain a record of all enforcement and compliance assignments undertaken by the Authority’s officers and develop legal accountability structures in relation to enforcement assignments;
• Establish and manage the Authority Register of Regulations, Rules, Guidelines and By-Laws
• Legal drafting of the Authority’s, regulations, rules, guidelines, and by-laws;
• Continuously manage, review and update all the Authority’s regulations, rules, guidelines, and by-laws for consistency with each other, and also compliance with the National and County Legal Frameworks.
• Manage and Supervise the Authority’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism;
• Developing the Authority’s proactive and preventive legal policies and strategies aimed at forestalling disputes, controversies and litigation;
• Continuously engage and build the capacity of the Authority’s ADR Mechanism;
• Liaising with the National and International ADR Mechanisms and Resources for application to the Authority;
• Risk management on all the Authority’s internal legal and regulatory matters and liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action are taken;
• Facilitate Legal Compliance Audits;
• Prepare review and modify contractual instruments to assist and support various business activities, and negotiate, review and draft documentation for business transactions;
• Prepare and advise on necessary regulatory checklists to be adopted to ensure information and documentation is uniformly, accurately and timeously submitted to the Authority;
• Conduct Legal Due Diligence on all prospective Lessees, Licensees, Partners or other third parties with whom the Authority is to enter a legal relationship with;
• Establish and manage the Lease Register and License Register;
• Monitor and review agreements, licenses, leases and similar instruments;
• Developing and vetting policy papers and instruments with legal implications for approval by the Authority;
• Advising the Authority and coordination with the functional areas in relation to various legal requirements which must be complied with a and the legal obstacles which must be overcome in order to obtain the Authority’s targeted results;
• Responsibility for the timely release of legal advice to assist the Authority in making an informed decision;
• Ensuring timely compliance with rules and regulations affecting the Authority, including the Code of Conduct and Ethics;
• Attending to all legal matters of the Authority including advising, vetting and drafting of legal agreements in relation to the Authority’s operations; and
• Liaising the functional units on queries or legal matters that should arise that relate to the Authority’s affairs.
• Initiating and progressing the enactment of the legislation proposed by the Authority through the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Ministry of Health
• Attend Board meetings in the absence of the Director and Deputy Director;
• Provide effective team leadership by setting clear expectations, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts