Legal Officer at Kenya Red Cross Society

PURPOSE:

The role is responsible for provision of legal advisory services and legal support to the organization and related entities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Management of Legal risk

• Review and provide legal advice on legal documents.
• Review ongoing cases and advice management accordingly.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken.
• Provide legal protection and risk management advice to management especially on contract management.
• In collaboration with the internal audit, overseeing KRCS legal risk management programs for the entire system, including its non-profit and for-profit subsidiaries;
• Recommending and assisting in the development policies, procedures and systems pertaining to risk management issues
• Provide and interpret legal information, conduct training and disseminate appropriate legal requirements to staff.

Policy development

• Review and advice management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures.
• Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements.

Litigation management

• Review progress of ongoing litigation cases, liaise with and manage external lawyers.
• Advising the organization and related entities on the litigation risks of possible business decisions, providing preventive counselling with respect to the legal risks associated with business practices and developing strategy with both inside and outside counsel in response to civil litigation and regulatory inquiries.

Regulatory compliance

• Formulate compliance check-lists to be used for the purpose of ensuring that all information required is provided accordingly.
• Continuously monitor compliance with statutory obligations and advise senior management accordingly.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for the department for senior management meetings.

Contract review and negotiation

• Review all contracts or any other documentation where the organization and related entities are parties to and assess legal implications that need to be brought to the attention of the Senior Management.
• Prepare, review and modify contractual instruments to assist and support various business activities.
• Negotiate, review and draft documentation for business transactions and prepare and advise on the necessary checklist to be adopted to ensure information is submitted on time.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• LLB undergraduate degree;
• Masters degree will be an added advantage;
• Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• At least three years legal experience ideally in a leading organization or law firm, with a proven track record in contract negotiation and drafting

Technical Skills & Abilities:

• Good knowledge of international humanitarian law.
• Proven track record of providing accurate and effective legal counsel;
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, laws dealing with government and/or commercial contract administration, particularly contract negotiation, preparation and administration;
• Ability to provide independent advice (orally and in writing) to senior level management on highly technical matters;
• Demonstrate success in managing and conducting a variety of litigation matters;
• Excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills necessary for interaction with the Government of Kenya, the Judicial system and negotiating parties and the senior management team of the society