Director, Legal Services

The Office of the Auditor-General is seeking a Director of Legal Services to head its legal and governance directorate. This is a senior leadership post for an advocate who can act as principal counsel to the Auditor-General and the executive team, translating statutory obligations into practical policies, contracts and compliance controls that the Office relies on every day.

Role Overview

The Director of Legal Services owns the Office's legal, governance and compliance agenda, ensuring that the institution's audit mandate is exercised on a sound statutory footing. Day to day, the role holder directs a team handling contract negotiation, litigation, legal compliance reviews and governance advice to the Auditor-General and management, while also running the directorate's budgets, work plans and risk controls. The position matters because the Office's credibility rests on unimpeachable legal foundations: sound advice, disciplined documentation and visible ethical standards protect both the institution's decisions and its public reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, roll-out and periodic review of the Office's legal and governance policies, systems and procedures so that they stay aligned with prevailing statutes, regulations and internal policies.
• Advise the Auditor-General and senior management on their statutory duties, responsibilities and powers, and on the governance framework needed to deliver the Office's objectives and comply with applicable law.
• Direct the full contract lifecycle — drafting, review, negotiation, execution and approval — for agreements, service level agreements, memoranda of understanding, leases and other legal instruments entered into with external parties.
• Oversee the Office's litigation and dispute resolution portfolio, including preparation and representation in court proceedings, instruction of external counsel, and engagement with external agencies conducting investigations touching on the Office.
• Drive legal compliance audits and risk management practice across the directorate, covering accountability systems, internal controls, business continuity and succession planning, and advise leadership whenever the law changes.
• Maintain the register of conflict of interest and enforce the Code of Conduct and Ethics, promoting high ethical standards in line with the Public Audit Act, 2015, the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025 and ISSAI 130.
• Plan and manage the directorate's annual work plans, budgets, procurement and asset disposal plans, and performance contract delivery, reporting legal, governance and compliance results on schedule.
• Build consultative relationships with government organs, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders, and lead awareness workshops on transparency and accountability in the public sector.
• Act as custodian of the Office seal and its usage record, and safeguard legal documents and discussion papers so they remain secure but readily retrievable for decision-making.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised university.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education.
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with a current practising licence and membership in good standing of the Law Society of Kenya.
• Completion of a Senior Leadership Development Programme from a recognised institution is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in computer applications.
• At least 15 years of practical legal services experience with a reputable organisation, preferably in the public sector, including a minimum of 3 years at the level of Deputy Director of Legal or an equivalent, comparable position.

Applications are accepted by email only; physical or paper submissions will not be considered. Candidates should submit a completed application form indicating the post applied for, full name, National ID number, telephone and alternate contact numbers and email address, together with academic and professional certificates, a curriculum vitae and relevant testimonials. Applications for this post should be sent to [email protected].