Assistant Program Officer - Research

Role Overview

This position is responsible for supporting the Law Society of Kenya’s legislative and legal reform work by monitoring parliamentary activity, analysing proposed laws, and producing clear legal guidance for the Directorate and members. You will spend your days reviewing bills and policy papers, preparing written submissions and briefs, and coordinating input from internal committees and external stakeholders. Your work directly helps the Society respond promptly to legal developments, advocate effectively for sound legislation, and maintain transparent records of all legislative engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive, log, and process all incoming legislative instructions, Bills, and related parliamentary documents to ensure nothing is overlooked.
• Conduct detailed legal research on legislative instruments and policy papers, identifying regulatory implications and advising on necessary action.
• Draft memoranda, official notices, policy briefs, and other legal documents for internal and external distribution.
• Gather, organise, and consolidate contributions from Society members and outside stakeholders for submission to relevant bodies.
• Keep the Directorate’s legislative tracker and official records current, ensuring accurate and easy retrieval of all documentation.
• Support committee meetings and stakeholder engagements by arranging logistics, preparing materials, and following up on action items.
• Prepare meeting minutes, reports, and formal legislative documentation in line with Society standards.
• Provide technical, administrative, and operational backup to the Directorate as required, including assistance with donor-funded project oversight when needed.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised university and a post-graduate diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
• Admission to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with at least three years of post-admission experience and a current Practicing Certificate.
• Sound understanding of legislative drafting techniques, parliamentary procedure, and current legal reform trends in Kenya.
• Proven experience in planning, managing, administering, and monitoring programmes or projects.
• Ability to develop donor funding proposals and to manage grants and donor funds responsibly and transparently.
• Strong professional ethics, personal integrity, and the maturity to handle confidential legal and institutional information.
• Excellent analytical and legal writing skills, along with strong oral presentation, organisational, and computer literacy abilities.

What We Offer / Why Join

This role provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to law reform and the advancement of the legal profession in Kenya, working alongside experienced legal practitioners and policymakers. The Law Society of Kenya is an equal opportunity employer and encourages qualified women and persons with disabilities to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.