Legal Officer at icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

Overall Purpose of the Job

To offer institutional support under the direct supervision of the Chief Legal Officer. The Legal Officer will assist the Chief Legal Officer in undertaking all responsibilities associated with the Legal Unit such as provision of legal advice to the Centre’s management on all matters pertaining to the institution’s operations, human resource, assets, rights and obligations.

Specific Duties

• Prepare or assist in the preparation of legal opinions/advice on a wide range of both local and international public or private law issues, decisions involving, inter alia, privileges and immunities, litigation, Arbitration, interpretation of different laws and policies of the organization.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of institutional guidelines, policies, and procedures and legal documents such as project and collaborative agreements, material transfer agreements, non-disclosure agreements, licensing agreements, memorandum and letters of agreement and Memorandum of Understanding and other contracts with governments, NGOs and other public and private entities.
• Assist and undertake negotiations and settlement of claims and disputes.
• Organize, file and maintain all legal documents, memos, records, correspondence, and reports often confidential in nature.
• Track and organize patents, trademarks and contracts and ensure compliance with regulatory and employment matters.
• Maintain legal documents and contracts database.
• Assist the Chief Legal Officer in coordinating and scheduling a wide variety of meetings and on-site/off-site Board meetings.
• Assist in making travel arrangements, arrange for conference sites/rooms, calendar management, arrange and ensure proper filing of board packs and offer the necessary support to the Centre’s Governing Council.
• Assist in coordination of land cases, arbitration and litigation claims before arbitral and other tribunals handled by external advocates or administrative proceedings, including disciplinary cases and real estate issues.
• Track the status and calendar deadlines for Arbitration and litigation matters.
• Interface with other departments and communicate and coordinate with officers both internally and externally, in a professional and positive manner.
• Respond to legal issues raised by various units and work with the Chief Legal Officer and other department members.
• Conduct or assist in conducting extensive legal research and analysis and preparing legal documents briefs, reports and correspondence and undertake basic or extensive reviews of legal documents, instruments, or other material, identifying important issues, similarities, and inconsistencies.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies aimed at providing an enabling legal framework that preserves the integrity of the Organization while ensuring compliance to statutory requirements in all Organizations’ transactions.
• Assist in managing and safeguarding the Centre’s Intellectual Property Rights, and real estate and Land holdings.
• Provide or assist in providing legal advice on human resources matters; review administrative matters and perform any other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in law from a recognized university.
• A Post-graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
• At least 4 years’ experience post admission to the Bar experience of progressively responsible experience in law, including legal analysis, research, and writing.
• Admitted to practice as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate.
• Knowledge of the Laws of Kenya and the practice of international laws.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertinent to intergovernmental organisations.
• Knowledge of legal drafting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of legal research skills and techniques.
• Knowledge of court procedures and practices and of rules of evidence.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.