Legal Officer II - 8 Posts at Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA)

IPOA/HR/25/2024;

Job Purpose

Responsible for provision of guidance and legal opinions to the Authority and spearheading representation of the Authority in all legal, civil and criminal court proceedings.

Key Responsibilities/ Duties / Tasks

• Support implementation of policies, strategies, guidelines, plans, standards and procedures pertaining to legal Services in the Authority;
• Represent the Authority in all civil court cases and Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms;
• Institute civil proceedings for enforcement of the Authority’s recommendations;
• Institute civil proceedings for compensation of victims of police misconduct;
• Carry out research on legal issues pertinent to operations of IPOA in collaboration with the division of research;
• Assist in conducting legal assignments and projects as directed;
• Support in preparation and drafting of contracts, leases, Memoranda of understanding formal agreements and other legal instruments;
• Participate in outreach programs to strengthen IPOA’s governance and improve the quality of service delivery by conducting legal aid clinics on constitutional matters in collaboration with department of communications and outreach;
• Assist in conduct of legal audits to ensure legal compliance by the Authority;
• In liaison with department of preventive services assist in conduct of audits of processes and actions of the National Police Service to ensure compliance with applicable legal and human rights standards;
• Evaluate evidence in completed investigations by the Authority submitted in non-complex matters for determination of its sufficiency and recommending appropriate action to the Director of Public Prosecutions;
• Review evidence in completed investigations by the IAU for determinations of its sufficiency for recommending appropriate disciplinary action;
• Prepare Authority’s cases for prosecution;
• Watch brief for the Authority in the prosecution of criminal matters touching on the Authority’s mandate;
• Represent the Authority in criminal court proceedings including public inquests;
• Update records in the division;
• Consolidate data for internal and external reports in the division;
• Implement risks mitigation measures;
• Implement management decisions; and
• Develop and implement individual annual work plan.

Job Dimensions:
Financial Responsibility

• Prepare Work Plans, procurement plans and the Budgets

Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Responsible for Office equipment, furniture and records

Decision Making / Job Influence

• Operational decisions

Working Conditions

• Predominantly in an office setting with occasional field travel.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).
Academic qualifications

• Post graduate Diploma in legal studies;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Law.

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

• Registered as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Hold a current practicing certificate;
• Member of Law Society of Kenya.

Previous relevant work experience required.

• This is an entry level job