Legal Officer (Advisory, Collaboration and IPR) at Pwani University

EF: PU/ADV/13/01/2021

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION OF LEGAL OFFICER (ADVISORY, COLLABORATION AND IPR) GRADE 11

Appointment to this position is either on permanent and pensionable terms or on a three (3)-year renewable performance-based contract, depending on age, citizenship or any other reason.

Academic Qualifications

The candidate must have a Bachelors Degree in Law from a recognised University.

In addition, the candidate must have:

• Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law or an exemption from Council of Legal Education.
• Admission to the Roll of Advocates of the High Court of Kenya
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya
• The requirements set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
• Proficiency in computer applications
• Not any pending complaints with Advocate Complaints Commission, the Disciplinary Committee or adverse report from present or previous employers.
• Have at least three (3) years relevant Post Admission experience either in private practice or other relevant employment.

Skills

Interested applicants should possess the following:-

• Communication Skills
• Computing Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Counselling Skills

In addition the candidate should

• Show active involvement in International/Continental/Regional /National/ Local/Community activities
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of university policies and regulations regarding public events and public disclosures, and the intricacies of governmental actions.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the history, administrative structure and activities of public universities and current affairs

Duties and Responsibilities

The officer will perform the following duties and responsibilities

• Keep abreast with local and global best practices with respect to compliance and risk management for the University’s operations and make recommendations.
• Prepare legal opinions, advice and reports on technical legal matters to the Board and Departmental Managers including reviewing legal documentation, management of legal due diligence and liaising with external counsel as required.
• Management of Legal and Regulatory Compliance including monitoring and reporting on changes to applicable statutes and regulations.
• Draft standard contracts and specialised contracts, review and negotiate contracts and ensuring such documents and third-party contracts are properly and promptly executed.
• Maintain proper coordination between the legal function and other user departments with respect to contracting with suppliers, vendors and third parties.
• Develop a Risk Management Framework and continuously assess and evaluate risks and identify mitigation mechanisms.
• Oversee audits of policy and compliance to standards in the University’s operations including liaison with internal and external auditors.
• Provide legal support in research on developments in law and maintenance of a legal Library for reference.
• Fill in for the Head Legal and Council Affairs and for other Legal Officers as necessary to ensure continuity of service provision to clients.
• Assist to provide Board Secretariat services to Council as requested by the Head of Legal and Council Affairs to improve efficiency and ensure continuity of service provision to Council.
• Attend various university committees as appointed in order to provide legal guidance as required by such Committees.
• Oversee the work of legal interns and other temporary legal staff, when necessary to achieve required work output and ethos; and
• Handle ad-hoc legal issues which may arise from time-to-time and any other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Legal and Council Affairs or his designee to ensure that all unforeseen legal responsibilities are promptly and effectively managed.

TERMS OF SERVICE

Benefits for the above position include a competitive basic salary, house allowance, medical cover for staff and dependants, life Insurance, opportunities for further development and training and other regular allowances.