Legal Officer & Corporation Secretary at Kenya leather Development Council (KLDC)

The position is in the Corporation Secretary and Legal Services Unit of the Council. The Unit is responsible for provision of Board’s Secretarial and Council’s legal services.

The job holder is responsible for ensuring the Council functions effectively and operates within its mandate by providing Corporation secretarial services, governance and overall legal advice to the Council as provided within the KLDC Order, 2011 under the State Corporation Act (Cap 446) of the Laws of Kenya and other relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

Managerial / Supervisory Responsibilities

• Develop work plans and budgets for the Unit for approval;
• Oversee the execution of the approved Unit’s work plans and budgets;
• Oversee performance management in the Unit;
• Prepare and submit all monthly, quarterly and annual reports for the Unit;
• Prepare draft board management papers for approval;
• Identify training needs for the Unit staff;
• Participate in workforce planning and recruitment of staff within the Unit;
• Spearhead the development and review of the Council’s strategic plan;
• Identify procurement needs of the Unit;
• Mentor and coach Unit staff; and
• Participate in various Committees in the Council.

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks

• Provide expert and strategic legal advice to the Board and Management;
• Facilitate the holding of Board and Board Committee Meetings including collecting, organizing and distributing information, documents or board papers required for such meetings;
• Ensure Board Committees are properly constituted and provided with clear terms of reference;
• Prepare Annual Board work plan, Board calendar for meetings, take and maintain minutes and communicate board resolutions and action areas for management to attend to Board decisions and resolutions;
• Continually review developments in corporate governance, facilitate proper induction of Board members into their roles and advise and assist them with respect to their duties and responsibilities;
• Provide advice to the Board on legal and governance matters;
• Provide legal advice to the Council and Investors in the Council programme and give due interpretation to the provisions to the Council and other applicable legislation;
• Ensure safe custody of the Council Seal and other vital legal records and documents including Land Titles and lease agreements;
• Oversee the drawing, designing and implementation of legal agreements and contracts in liaison with relevant divisions/departments at the Council;
• Oversee the preparation and processing of legal opinions, legal notices and licensing of Council Enterprises;
• Oversee research on emerging legal issues and advise the Council accordingly;
• Liaise with Department of Justice on litigation of national interest;
• Ensure proper representation for the Council in Court and Arbitration proceedings and liaise with external counsel on legal matters;
• Carry out Legal Audits;
• Ensure the Council complies with all its statutory obligations;
• Identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate legal risks;
• Monitor the performance of the Unit including achievement of performance targets; and
• Provide overall guidance, mentorship, motivation and supervision to staff in the Unit.

Job Dimensions:

Financial Responsibility:

• Development of budgets for the Unit
• Develop and monitor procurement for the Unit
• Recommend expenditure for the Unit

Responsibility for Physical Assets

• Responsible for physical assets assigned by the Council;
• Provide oversight for all the Unit’s physical assets

Decision Making:

• Make strategic, operational and financial decisions for the Unit
• Plan the work of subordinates
• Assign work to subordinates
• Monitor subordinates work performance
• Appraise/evaluate subordinates performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Have five (5) years’ relevant experience as Legal Officer, Legal Services or comparable position in the Public Service or reputable organization.

Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies

• Postgraduate Diploma (Kenya School of Law);
• Member of Law Society of Kenya;
• Advocate of High Court of Kenya;
• Registered Certified Public Secretary by Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICS) Kenya;
• Certificate in computer proficiency from a recognized institution; and
• Meets the provision of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Functional Skills:

• Analytical skills
• IT proficiency
• Report/Minute writing skills
• Litigation skills

Behavioral Competencies/Attributes:

• Team Leadership
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• Professionalism
• Negotiation skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Attention to detail