Legal Assistant, East Africa at KK Security

Job Summary:

The Legal Assistant will work closely with the Legal Counsel and handle various matters including drafting and reviewing contracts, conducting legal research, assisting with litigation, and generally dealing with corporate and commercial matters across a variety of countries in East Africa, where KK Security and its subsidiaries have a presence, namely, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Organization/Reporting line:
Reports to: Legal Counsel, East Africa
Place of work/Travel: Nairobi, Kenya; potential travel across East Africa Contact and Cooperation:
Internally: Main cooperation with the Legal Counsel (East Africa), Operations & HR Departments, all staff. Externally: Legal Advisors, Government Agencies, Police, External Lawyers, Clients

Responsibilities

• Dealing with general corporate, commercial and all legal matters  
• Conducting legal research tasks 
• Monitoring and/or advising on changes to legislation and regulations that affect the organization’s  statutory obligations 
• Handling litigation and dispute resolution cases in Kenya and providing oversight and assistance for  litigation and dispute resolution matters in the other East Africa countries 
• Maintaining the regional litigation tracker  
• Drafting, reviewing and ensuring execution of bid support documents, namely, reviewing contracts and  submitting deviations to the same as part of bid submissions 
• Conducting contract negotiations with respect to simple contracts, together with drafting and reviewing  the same 
• Assisting with trade union matters, when necessary, especially with respect to collective bargaining  agreement negotiations. 
• Attending court as and when necessary 
• Drafting a wide range of legal documents including correspondence, pleadings, notices and affidavits
• Preparation of court attendance forms, following up on witnesses, obtaining and evaluating necessary  evidence, and defence strategy with respect to litigation matters, including dispute resolution.
• Building and maintaining good rapport with internal clients and providing commercial legal support to  departmental projects and job functions
• Maintaining the corporate register and updating the constitutional make-up of the various companies, as  necessary from time to time, working with regional company secretaries as applicable
• Provide all such other administrative and other secretarial duties as directed by the Legal Counsel. 
• Demonstrating moral fortitude and ethical behavior always. 

Principal Outputs of this Role: 

• Providing sound counsel with respect to all legal matters, in order to provide effective risk management to the organization 
• Representing the organization, as required, with respect to legal proceedings 
• Maintaining a current knowledge of all material and applicable laws, advising the organization with  respect to changes to the same 
• Interpreting laws and regulations for individuals and corporate organization, in order to advise on the  same 
• Knowledge of court rules and procedures, administrative hearings, land and company’s registry  procedures. 

Authority: 
Refer to KK Security Authority Matrix. 
Accountability: 

• The Legal Assistant, East Africa is accountable to the Legal Counsel for ensuring that legal operations are run  in accordance with company policies and for other responsibilities stated in this job description. These  responsibilities will be monitored and managed through regular performance reviews and supported through the  monitoring of KPIs as guided by KK Security HR Policies. 

Competencies:

• Excellent research, analysis and presentation skills 
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, project management 
• Excellent written &verbal communication skills 
• Good understanding of civil litigation, corporate law and commercial law 
• Competent, prompt, diligent and ability to work under pressure and deliver within set deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information in a sensitive and tactful manner
• Demonstrated willingness to engage in professional development activities in order to develop and  improve new and current skills and to adapt to evolving needs of the organization 
• Excellent team working ability to ensure smooth operation in the legal department as a whole Qualifications & Experience: 
• A minimum of 2 years’ post admission experience working in a law firm; 
• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university;  
• Post Graduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law;  
• Certificate of Admission to the Roll of Advocates of the High Court of Kenya; 
• Current Practicing Certificate; 
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office software especially Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• French language, international and inhouse experience would be added advantages.