Corporation Secretary/Director Legal Services at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

Advert Ref: No. KWS/08/2025

Reporting to the Director General, the overall responsibility will be to ensure effective and efficient management of corporate affairs and compliance with enabling legal matters and other relevant legislations.

 Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in the development of policies and regulations that guide in the management of the Service;
• Spearhead the formulation, implementation and review of the Service’s legal strategies, guidelines and relevant regulations that contributes into the attainment of the Service’s mandate;
• Advise the Board and management on development and implementation of a good governance framework that fosters achievement of the Service’s mandate and compliance with corporate governance, applicable laws and policies;
• Oversee Board Secretarial Services that includes preparation of Board Papers and implementation of the Board Resolutions in compliance with the Mwongozo Code of Governance;
• Lead in negotiations with government and other entities, local and international contractors, consultants, partners and investors on legal issues regarding projects and collaborations with KWS to ensure compliance with the law and insulation from exposure to legal risks;
• Provide legal advice to the Service with regard to laws relating to wildlife conservation, data rights, contracts, dispute resolution, procurement, intellectual property rights and compliance to applicable laws;
• Lead the development of strategies for dispute management, resolution and litigation management including international arbitration of disputes;
• Oversee research on legal issues on wildlife conservation and emerging global trends on legal issues to inform review of legal and regulatory strategies affecting the Service for sustainability;
• Oversee the development and implementation of the departmental work plan and budget in line with the overall strategic objectives and government performance contract;
• Lead in drawing and reviewing contracts, Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understandings, Leases and other legal documents to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and other applicable policies and Procedures of the Service;
• Spearhead the review of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act and preparation of other regulations;
• Establish and manage the Service’s securities register for the custody and maintenance of securities, bonds or other proprietary instruments resulting from the Service’s transactional activities as required;
• Lead in establishment and management of the Service’s alternative dispute resolution mechanism;
• Lead in development and implementation of governance structures within the Service including the board manual, board charter and code of ethics;
• Spearhead legal drafting of the Service’s codes, regulations, rules, guidelines and treaties;
• Foster a robust, motivated workforce through mentoring and coaching of employees in the directorate for delivery of its mandate;
• Spearhead establishment and management of the legal registry;
• Oversee preparation, implementation and monitoring of the directorate’s budget;
• Give legal advisory services to the board, management and staff of the Service on the internal policies and procedures and external matters that may affect the operations of the Service;
• Liaise with the Attorney General, law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders on all legal matters affecting the Service;
• Ensure safe custody of the Service’s Seal, Securities, Agreements, Contracts, Minutes, Title deeds and other legal instruments of the Service;
• Foster, maintain and update the conflict of interest register;
• Facilitate Board induction, development, evaluation and implementation of the capacity building program;
• Developing Board calendars;
• Safeguard the Services interests and ensuring that they are adequately defended before the courts;
• Manage, review and monitor progress of all outstanding litigation; and
• Appraise direct reports.

Job Requirements

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:-

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized institution;
• Master’s Degree in any of the following disciplines; Law, Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Kenya School of Law;
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Must be a Certified Public Secretary (CPS(K)) in good standing;
• Membership to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK);
• Membership to the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries;
• Experience in handling litigation in court;
• Strategic Leadership Development (SLDP) Course from a recognized institution;
• At least twelve (12) years relevant work experience five (5) of which should have been in a management role in the Public or Private Sector;
• Proficiency in computer applications;
• Must have a clean disciplinary record; and
• Fulfil the requirements of Chapter Six of the constitution.