Deputy Director, Legal Services (Legal Services Division) at Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)

Job Specifications

Duties and responsibilities at this level will entail:

• Providing strategic leadership in legal affairs, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and institutional integrity. 
• Advising the Board of Directors and Management on legal and governance implications of corporate decisions, policies, and operations. 
• Overseeing the provision of legal opinions to the Board and Management on contracts, policies, employment matters, and regulatory obligations. 
• Enforcing compliance with the Constitution, applicable legislation (State Corporations Act, Employment Act, Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, Data Protection Act, etc.), and regulatory guidelines. 
• Directing the drafting, reviewing, and interpretation of legal instruments, policies, and operational guidelines to ensure legal soundness and institutional efficiency. 
• Overseeing negotiation, drafting, reviewing, and execution of all institutional contracts and agreements. 
• Providing overall leadership in managing litigation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolutions involving the institution. 
• Leading and managing the Legal Services and Board Secretariat functions, including staff supervision, mentorship, and performance evaluation. 
• Developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including shareholders, investors, legal and regulatory bodies and other business partners.
• Promoting continuous capacity building, legal research, and development of staff in line with emerging governance and legal trends. 
• Establishing systems for monitoring contract performance, renewals, and disputes. 
• Coordinating Board and Committee meetings, including scheduling, preparation and circulation of agendas and Board papers, minute-taking, and follow-up on resolutions. 
• Championing institutional awareness and staff training on data privacy obligations and rights. 
• Overseeing the procurement of legal services providers and their effective management to ensure delivery of quality services.
• Keeping custody of the Institute’s seal.
• Spearheading the development, implementation and review of Directorate annual Work Plans and budgets and Procurement and Assets Disposal plans in line with the Institute’s performance targets and strategic plan;
• Spearheading the development, implementation and review of Directorate annual Work Plans and budgets and Procurement and Assets Disposal plans in line with the Institute’s performance targets and strategic plan.
• Providing strategic leadership in execution of risk management policy and strategies that ensure the Directorate has a robust system and processes of accountability, risk management, internal controls, business continuity and succession management.
• Providing strategic leadership to ensure continuous improvement of business processes and controls in the department and develop mechanisms for corporate consultations, increase public participation and involvement in the Institute’s policies and programs
• Leading in implementation of a robust performance management system within the Directorate through providing oversight of the delivery of the Annual performance contract and strategic plan.
• Spearheading the implementation of principles of Corporate Governance, relevant national policies, guidelines, and directives within the Directorate.
• Fostering a corporate culture that promotes ethical practices and good citizenship within the Directorate.

• Providing strategic leadership in supervision, coaching, Mentoring, training and development of the Directorate staff to ensure an effective and motived team. Further, nurture the staff to work collaboratively towards realization of the Institute’s vision, strategic goals and objectives.
• Coordinating Board meetings with the Secretary to the Board.

• Preparing annual governance and legal compliance audit and implementation reports for the Board and oversight institutions. 
• Attending Board meetings and communicate resolutions of the Board Secretary for cascading to the Heads of Directorates and Departments.
• Providing timely information on renewals or termination of contracts/agreements.
• Collating all physical and electronic records, including confidential and sensitive Company documents.
• Aligning the legal and governance function with the corporation’s strategic plan and national legal frameworks. 
• Maintaining statutory registers and ensure compliance with the Mwongozo Code, State Corporations Act, and Companies Act. 
• Monitoring institutional legal risks and establishing mitigation frameworks. 
• Liaising with external legal counsel, the Attorney General’s office, and regulatory bodies in legal proceedings. 
• Monitoring adherence to anti-corruption laws and institutional codes of conduct. 
• Acting as a liaison for external and internal audits and implementation of audit recommendations. 
• Undertaking legal research on best practices on matters relating to KIPPRA’s core business and propose appropriate determinations, decisions, or recommendations thereon.
• Assessing legal risks and opportunities and advise the Board and Management.
• Enforcing proper management and accountability of funds in line with the financial and budgetary policies and procedures of the government and other stakeholders;
• Responding to the annual financial audit and audit queries addressed.
• Coordinating the Corporate Governance Statement for the annual financial report.
• Steering timely preparation and filing of statutory returns, corporate disclosures, and reports to relevant regulatory authorities

Job Specification

Qualifications

Person Specifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• Cumulative service period of fifteen (15) years, three (3) of which must have been at the grade of Assistant Director, Legal Services or in a relevant comparable position.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized institution.
• Masters Degree in Law or any other relevant qualification from a recognized institution.
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court.
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
• Member of the Institute of Certified Secretaries (Kenya) in good standing
• Leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks.
• Shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.
• Proficiency in computer applications.

Functional Skills, Behavioral Competencies and Attributes:

• Leadership and supervisory skills
• Strategic management skills
• Problem solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Organizational skills
• Negotiation skills
• Proficiency in economic modelling
• Proficiency in computer applications including statistical software
• Presentation skills
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Team building skills
• Shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results