Associate Legal Affairs at Strathmore University

Basic job summary

This position will provide a range of legal services and support and will be responsible for the University’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements to enhance the quality of service delivery.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Prepare, draft and review documents such as contracts, MOUs, NDA, research agreements, grants, sponsorship agreements and other legal agreements between Strathmore, its affiliates and other parties prior to execution of these documents and new service offerings prior to launch, aiming at minimizing legal and business risk.
• Prepare and manage the legal department’s filing system and database including but not limited to contracts and agreements, among other legal instruments as well as litigation history, licenses, trademarks and registrations. This will include managing the legal documents registry and ensuring proper filing, maintenance, of the database and conducting checks to ensure it is up to date and alerting departments and the University affiliates periodically, on the status of their documents, especially giving notice prior to the expiry of the documents as per the departmental procedures.
• Attend and conduct required legal litigation services in respect of the University and the University affiliates, alternative dispute resolution and litigation matters. Drafting legal opinions, statements of claim, demand letters and responses to these documents as received from external parties. Prompt issuance of instructions, managing, reviewing and approving all documentation prepared by outsourced legal services, where these services are necessary as per departmental procedures, ensuring the University’s interests are protected, the sound advisory is given and proper representation of Strathmore University in all legal forums.
• Conduct regular monitoring of changes in relevant legislation and regulatory environment to ensure that Strathmore University and its affiliates comply with all applicable legal and statutory obligations.
• Provide support in maintaining the accuracy of the University’s legislation, including but not limited to support in the drafting of the University’s Statutes, Regulations and Policies from a legal affairs perspective and in relation to the relationship between the University and its affiliates.
• Be responsible for a wide range of compliance aspects including monitoring, reviewing, and training stakeholders in administrative law and other legal/regulatory compliance aspects for staff and student matters including policy and procedures reviews, grievance and disciplinary hearings, among other student and staff matters.
• Support the protection of the University’s and its affiliates’ Intellectual Property rights and ensure safe custody of documentation on these rights including the commercialization of innovations by coordinating the patenting process, registration and ensuring the protection of trademarks, copyright, licenses among other intellectual property rights.
• Attend and conduct required legal affairs services in various meetings as specified in the University’s and its affiliates' statutes, regulations, policies, procedures and constitutive documents.

Minimum Academic Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree
• Post Graduate Diploma of Law from Kenya School of Law
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya
• CPS (K) qualification will be an added advantage

Experience:

• Must have at least three years of post-admission experience in a busy law firm or in-house counsel setting.

Competencies and Attributes

• Legal research and writing
• Analytical Skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and business strategy acumen
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability to weigh legal aspects and situations and provide sound solutions
• Knowledge of the use of Microsoft applications