Job Purpose
The Senior Legal Officer serves as a key legal advisor providing strategic legal counsel and guidance to University management on a comprehensive range of legal and policy issues relevant to the institution's operations, ensuring legal compliance, minimizing institutional risk and protecting the University's legal rights and interests.
Key Responsibilities
Provide timely, accurate and strategic legal advice and counsel to University executives, management and department heads onon diverse legal topics including labor law, contracts, real transactio affaire au transactions, compliance, corporate governance, intellectual property, student affairs and estate estate regulatory matters;
Draft, review, negotiate and approve a wide variety of legal documents including contracts, agreements, leases, policies, procedures, memoranda of understanding and other legal instruments to ensure the University's full legal rights and regulatory compliance; ii) able local Monitor and ensure institutional compliance with applicable local, national and international
laws, regulations, statutory requirements and legal obligations affecting all facets of University operations;
Identify, activities by assess and mitigate legal risks in business processes, strategic decisions and operational by conducting legal research, risk analysis and developing proactive legal strategies; wwith the Office of the Attorr with the Office of the Attorney General, external legal counsel, regulatory authorities and ternal lealregulatan authorities government agencies on legal matters affecting the University, coordinating responses
Liaise ensuring proper representation;
Represent or oversee the representation of the University in judicial and administrative proceedings, negotiations, dispute resolution and litigation management, including selection and supervision of external counsel when required;
Review and update University policies, regulations, bylaws and legal frameworks to ensure alignment with current legislation, regulatory changes and institutional best practices;
Provide legal support for University governance including serving as legal advisor to the University Council, attending attending Council Cou meetings, preparing legal documentation and supporting Council calendar development;
Conduct legal training and education programs for the University community through seminars, workshops and advisory sessions to enhance legal awareness and promote compliance culture; and Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation, emerging legal trends and developments in higher education law through continuous professional development, research and participation in professional networks.
Job Specifications
Minimum red requirements:
Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from a recognized university with nine (9) years of progressive legal experience, three (3) of which must be as Legal Officer Grade 12 or equivalent; OR
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized institution with twelve (12) years of progressive legal experience, three (3) of which must be as Legal Officer Grade 12 or equivalent;
Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law or equivalent;
Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya; v) Be a registered member of Law Society of Kenya and in good standing;
Valid and current practicing certificate issued by the Law Society of Kenya