Contracts & Compliance Officer at Shining Hope For Communities

Key Responsibilities and Job Dimensions

Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements supporting SHOFCO’s operations and programs, including vendor agreements, consultancy contracts, partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and service contracts.
• Ensure all agreements are legally sound, aligned with SHOFCO policies, and compliant with applicable laws in Kenya and other jurisdictions where SHOFCO operates.
• Identify contractual risks and provide practical recommendations to mitigate financial, legal, and reputational exposure.
• Maintain and improve standard contract templates to support efficient and consistent contracting across the organization.

Donor and Grant Agreements

• Review and support negotiation of donor funding agreements, grant agreements, sub-grant agreements, and consortium or partnership agreements with implementing partners.
• Advise internal teams on donor contractual obligations, including compliance requirements, reporting obligations, intellectual property provisions, and audit rights.
• Support the Grants, Finance, and Program teams in interpreting donor terms and ensuring SHOFCO’s program implementation remains compliant with funding agreements.
• Assist in structuring agreements with downstream partners or community-based organizations to ensure appropriate risk allocation and legal compliance.

Legal Advisory to Programs and Operations

• Provide timely legal advice to SHOFCO program, operations, procurement, and finance teams on contractual and operational matters.
• Participate in program design and partnership discussions to ensure legal considerations are addressed early in project planning.
• Support staff in understanding contractual obligations and approval processes.

Contract Management and Documentation

• Support the maintenance of SHOFCO’s contract management systems and processes, ensuring agreements are properly executed, stored, and tracked.
• Monitor contract timelines, key obligations, and renewal dates to support compliance and operational continuity.
• Ensure proper documentation and legal review for high-value or high-risk agreements

Legal Compliance and Risk Management

• Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting SHOFCO’s operations and advise internal stakeholders on compliance requirements.
• Identify legal risks related to partnerships, procurement, grants, and operational activities and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Support the implementation of SHOFCO's legal and compliance policies, ranging from business licenses to statutory filings, etc.

Dispute Prevention and Resolution

• Assist in managing contractual disputes, breach of contract issues, or claims involving vendors, partners, or other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel as required and support preparation of legal documentation or responses.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the General Counsel and collaborate with teams across Programs, Finance, Procurement, People & Culture, and Operations to ensure legal alignment across SHOFCO’s work.
• Provide training or guidance to staff on contracting processes, legal risk awareness, and donor compliance.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).

Academic Qualifications

• Law degree (LLB required)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law (Kenya School of Law)

Professional Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in contract law, commercial law, or nonprofit legal work.
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
• Admission as a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public is preferred

Other required qualifications (unique/job specific)

• Solid understanding of contract law and relevant regulatory frameworks in Kenya.
• Familiarity with nonprofit, procurement, labor, and regulatory compliance considerations affecting nonprofits, particularly Public Benefit Organizations (PBOs).
• Strong analytical and drafting skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive commercial matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience in nonprofit or multi-jurisdictional contexts preferred.
• Training and experience in alternative dispute resolution are desirable.

Functional Skills:

• Effective negotiation skills to support agreements with vendors, consultants, and partners.
• Ability to balance legal protections with practical operational needs.
• Able to propose practical, balanced approaches that enable program delivery while protecting the organization.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities
• Able to respond quickly to evolving legal and operational needs.

Behavioral Competencies/Attributes:

• Demonstrates strong professional ethics and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.
• Exercises sound legal and professional judgment in advising colleagues.
• Approaches legal challenges with a solutions-focused mindset rather than purely risk avoidance.
• Demonstrates alignment with SHOFCO’s mission and values, particularly around safeguarding and community investment.