Corporate Secretary and Manager Legal Services (Re-Advertisement) at Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA)

Job Purpose

The job holder is responsible for ensuring the Authority functions effectively and operates within its mandate by providing board secretarial services, governance and overall legal advice to the Authority as provided under the EPZ Act, (CAP 517) of the Laws of Kenya and other relevant legislation.

Key Responsibilities / Duties / Tasks

1. Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities
2. Advise Management and Board on all legal and governance matters affecting the Authority.
3. Prepare Annual Board work plan, Board calendar for meetings, take and maintain minutes and communicate board resolutions and action areas for management to attend to Board decisions and resolutions.
4. Oversee research on emerging legal issues and advise the Authority accordingly.
5. Oversee the drawing, designing and implementation of legal agreements and contracts in liaison with relevant directorates/departments at the Authority.
6. Coordinate governance audits
7. Ensure Board procedures are followed and reviewed regularly and the Board complies with applicable laws, rules and regulations;
8. Assist the Board Chairperson in organizing Board activities, including providing information, preparation of Board agenda, issuance of notices, preparing for Board meetings, Board evaluation and board capacity building/development programmes;
9. Develop work plans and budgets for the Department for approval
10. Oversee the execution of the approved Department work plans and budgets
11. Oversee performance management in the Department
12. Prepare and submit all monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the Department
13. Coordinate the preparation of board papers for approval
14. Identify training needs for the Department staff
15. Participate in workforce planning and recruitment of staff within the Department
16. Identify procurement needs of the Department
17. Mentor and coach Departmental staff
18. Participate in various committees in the Authority II. Operational Responsibilities / Tasks
19. Facilitate the holding of Board and Board Committee Meetings including collecting, organizing and distributing information, documents or board papers required for such meetings.
20. Ensure Board Committees are properly constituted and provided with clear terms of reference.
21. Continually review developments in corporate governance, facilitate proper induction of Board members into their roles and advise and assist them with respect to their duties and responsibilities.
22. Provide legal advice to the Authority and Investors in the EPZ programme and give due interpretation to the provisions of the EPZ Act and other applicable legislation.
23. Ensure safe custody of the Authority Seal and other vital legal records and documents including Land Titles and lease agreements.
24. Oversee the preparation and processing of legal opinions, legal notices and licensing of EPZ Enterprises.
25. Ensure proper representation for the Authority in Court and Arbitration proceedings and liaise with outsourced external Lawyers.
26. Ensure the Authority complies with relevant regulatory and legal requirements as stipulated in the EPZ Act and all other applicable legislation.
27. Monitor the performance of the department including achievement of performance targets.
28. Provide overall guidance, mentorship, motivation and supervision to staff in the department
29. Participates in the development and review of the Authority’s strategic plan

Job Dimensions:

1. Financial Responsibility:
2. Development of budgets for the Department
3. Develop and monitor procurement for the Department
4. Recommend expenditure for the Department II. Responsibility for Physical Assets
5. Responsible for physical assets assigned by the Authority;
6. Provide oversight for all the departmental physical assets

Decision Making:

1. Make strategic, operational and financial decisions for the Department
2. Plan the work of subordinates
3. Assign work to subordinates
4. Monitor subordinates work performance
5. Appraise/evaluate subordinates’ performance
6. Working conditions:
7. Works largely in an office environment with occasional travel

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

Academic Qualifications

1. Masters degree in Law, Business Administration or Social Sciences or equivalent from a recognized Institution;
2. Bachelors degree in Law or equivalent from a recognized institution

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

1. Postgraduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law;
2. Member of Law Society of Kenya and must be in good standing;
3. Advocate of High Court of Kenya;
4. Registered Certified Public Secretary by ICPSK;
5. Attended Leadership Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized Institution
6. 5 Day Corporate Governance Course;
7. Certificate in computer proficiency from a recognized institution; and
8. Meets the provision of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Previous relevant work experience required.

• Have nine (9) years’ relevant experience with three (3) years’ experience as Assistant Manager, Legal Services or comparable position in the Public Service or reputable organization.