Principal Legal Officer

Role Overview

This position sits within the legal directorate of a state agency that manages student financing, where you will take ownership of litigation, delegated criminal prosecution, and alternative dispute resolution matters. Your work involves shaping written policies and legal frameworks, steering investigations, and representing the agency before courts and quasi-judicial bodies to protect its interests. By ensuring consistent legal conformance and proactive risk management, you help the organisation avoid sanctions, resolve disputes efficiently, and uphold the integrity of its statutory mandate.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and maintain policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures governing litigation, delegated prosecution, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Develop legal and policy frameworks that guide prosecution, dispute resolution, and litigation strategies across the agency.
• Coordinate investigations and oversee quasi-judicial processes, including delegated criminal prosecution and alternative justice mechanisms.
• Monitor compliance with court decisions, internal policies, and legal standards to minimise sanctions and litigation exposure.
• Prepare legal briefs, written submissions, and oral arguments for external lawyers, courts, and tribunals.
• Identify and map legal risks, then design mitigation frameworks to protect the agency’s operations.
• Conduct negotiations and establish accountability structures that support sound legal governance.
• Promote legal education and awareness programmes for strategic stakeholders while maintaining an updated legal universe.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A minimum of nine years of relevant legal work experience, with at least three years at the level of Senior Legal Officer or an equivalent role.
• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution.
• A postgraduate diploma in legal studies from the Kenya School of Law.
• Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with a valid practising certificate.
• Active membership in good standing with the Law Society of Kenya.
• A management course certificate lasting at least four weeks from a recognised institution.
• A certificate in computer applications.
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a senior legal role within an organisation that directly supports access to higher education, offering you the chance to shape how public institutions manage complex disputes and prosecution processes. The position is offered on a contract of up to three years, renewable subject to performance and retirement age, and places you at the centre of high-impact legal decision-making in the education financing sector.