Principal Legal Officer

Job Specifications

An officer at this grade will:

• Implementing the Authority’s legal policies and procedures, and conducting legal research on emerging legislation, case law, and regulatory developments affecting the Authority;
• Preparing legal opinions and advisory memoranda on matters referred to the legal function, and supporting senior officers in liaison with the Office of the Attorney General;
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), service-level agreements, leases, and other legal instruments, ensuring legal soundness and protection of the Authority’s interests;
• Implementing the custody and management of the Authority’s legal documents and the maintenance of records of legal status of assets, liabilities, and claims;
• Preparing Board and Committee agenda, papers, minutes, and resolutions, and supporting Board induction, training, and governance compliance activities;
• Implementing routine engagement with regulatory agencies, statutory bodies, and oversight institutions on legal and compliance matters;
• Operating the register of conflicts of interest, the Code of Conduct and Ethics implementation framework, and the governance compliance reporting system;
• Preparing licence applications, statutory returns, annual filings, and licence renewal documentation, and conducting compliance assessments;
• Conducting litigation support activities, including the preparation of pleadings, witness statements, and instructions to external counsel, and attending court proceedings as required;

Person Specifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• Cumulative service of nine (9) years of relevant work experience, three (3) of which must have been served at the grade of Senior Legal Officer or in a comparable and relevant position in legal practice, corporate governance, or regulatory affairs;
• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised institution;
• A Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Kenya School of Law;
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current valid practising certificate;
• Membership in good standing of the Law Society of Kenya;
• A certificate in a Management Course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognised institution;
• Proficiency in computer application skills; and
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.