Corporation Secretary/Chief Legal at Kenya Airports Authority

Ref: F/GM/SEPT2021

Overall Job Purpose

The Corporation Secretary/Chief Legal Officer provides legal advisory and support services to the Board of Directors and Management of KAA. The role entails provision of both secretarial services, legal advice and ensuring statutory compliance and management of the litigation function of the Authority.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The Corporation Secretary/Chief Legal Officer will:

1. Be the Head of the Legal Department and a member of senior management;
2. Deal with correspondence, collate information and write reports, ensure Board decisions are communicated to Management and stakeholders;
3. Provide administrative support and guide the Board on the management of the Corporation including compliance with legal and statutory requirements;
4. Ensure that the minutes of the Board and Board Committees are promptly prepared and circulated;
5. Assist the Chairperson in organizing Board activities, including providing information, preparing agenda, issuing notices and preparing for meetings and board development programs;
6. Provide secretarial services to the Board including ensuring that the Board work plan is prepared and adhered to, circulate board papers in advance of the meeting, keep a record of attendance at meetings, keep safe custody of the seal and a record of its usage, custodian of Board documents such as, Board minute books, Board policy documents, Register of attendance and prepare the Board for annual general meetings where applicable;
7. Contribute to Board discussions as and when required and advise Directors on the legal and governance policy frameworks;
8. Negotiate and review contracts, agreements, leases and concessions and consult with other departments to ensure that the Corporation’s interests are protected;
9. Ensure that the Corporation complies with the regulatory environment affecting its operations by liaising with the Government, regulatory bodies and international organizations such as ICAO, IATA and ACI;
10. Ensure ownership rights of all KAA assets and registration of title to all KAA properties, together with safe custody thereof;
11. Carry out legal audit on operations of the Authority including due diligence in order to recommend improvement, feedback and compliance;
12. Assist the Board in carrying out the following:
    1. Board induction and training;
    2. Updating the Board and Committee charters;
    3. Preparation of Board work plans;
    4. Board evaluation;
    5. Governance audit; and
    6. Implementation of the code of conduct and ethics.
13. Maintain and update the register of conflicts of interest;
14. Ensure that Board members are aware of all relevant laws affecting the organization;
15. Ensure that annual returns are promptly filed with the relevant authorities;
16. Except in exceptional circumstances, ensure that the Board and Committee papers are circulated in advance of any meeting;
17. Advise on legal matters and manage the litigation function of the Authority;
18. Initiate development of legal strategies for management of disputes; and
19. Coordinate legal support in preparation of legal documents, contracts, leases and other related documents.

Key Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must:

1. Have Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. A Master’s Degree in Law is an added advantage;
2. Have Postgraduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law;
3. Have a Minimum of twelve (12) years practical and relevant working experience four (4) of which will be in a senior management/ leadership position;
4. Be admitted to the Roll as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
5. Be a Certified Public Secretary, Kenya (CPSK) or its equivalent;
6. Be Member of the Law Society of Kenya and Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK);
7. Have a Valid Practicing Certificate; and
8. Have Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Skills and Competencies

1. A strategic thinker with exceptional analytical skills and ability to identify with precision critical factors of a problem in an impartial and objective way;
2. Strong leadership skills including effective interpersonal, communication, influencing and negotiations skills;
3. An eye for detail;
4. A team player; and
5. Ability to meet strict deadlines.

In fulfilment of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, applicants shall also be required to attach copies of:

1. Certificate of Tax Clearance from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
2. Valid Certificate of Clearance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations
3. Clearance from the Ethics & Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
4. Clearance Certificate from Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
5. A report from an approved Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)

Package Details

A three (3) year contract of employment with an attractive and competitive package as per the Salaries & Remuneration Commission (SRC) Guidelines will be offered to the appointed candidate.