Principal Legal Services Officer at Geothermal Development Company (GDC)

Job Summary

The job holder is responsible for assisting the Legal Services Manager by providing technical legal leadership in the preparation, drafting, vetting, and negotiation of contracts, company loan documents, leases, and other formal agreements between GDC and various stakeholders. The role also ensures comprehensive and cost-effective insurance of company assets and personnel, and provides legal advice to the organization.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Assisting in reviewing of complex, sensitive and high-risk legal matters in order to determine which cases pose the greatest threat to the security of the Company.
• Providing legal advice and assistance as necessary.
• Assisting in ensuring that the Company’s insurance portfolio is run in the most cost-effective manner.
• Spearheading debt collection from staff who is no longer engaged with the company.
• Ensuring that the preparation, drafting and the negotiation of contracts, leases, formal agreements and other legal instruments between the Geothermal Development Company and other parties are done in the Organization’s  Best interest.
• Monitoring developments in legal research, participate in outreach programs to strengthen corporate governance and improve the quality-of-service delivery.
• Drafting legal documents, interpret and implement laws and rulings including government policies and regulations.
• Assisting in establishing and maintaining contractual agreements with appointed external legal counsel.
• Gathering evidence in cases involving Geothermal Development Company to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings to formulate legal defence or to initiate legal action.
• Conducting legal research, develop concept papers, prepare legal briefs and opinions as well as develop effective defence strategies, arguments, and testimony in preparation for legal proceedings.
• Assessing staff performance, identify training needs, as well as design and implement training programmes to equip staff with appropriate job Competencies to improve service delivery.
• Ensuring complete and accurate company records in compliance with the requirements of the Companies Act; and
• Liaising with Attorney General’s Chambers, Registrar General, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders throughout the country in connection with prosecution of offenders and to develop and advance criminal cases when the violation warrants more severe action.

Job Specifications

• A minimum period of eight (8) years relevant work experience, three (3) of which must have been in a supervisory role.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized institution.
• Supervisory course lasting not less than two (2) weeks.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• Membership to relevant professional body – LSK and ICPS (K).
• Proficiency in computer applications; and
• Fulfilled the provisions of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya.

Key Competencies and Skills

• Excellent Interpersonal
• Management
• Excellent communication
• Good Team player.
• Excellent Negotiation
• Analytical
• Critical thought process; and
• Excellent organization