The Universities Fund was established under section 53 of the Universities Act, 2012 for financing Universities in Kenya. The Fund is managed by a Board of Trustees known as the Universities Funding Board (UFB) which has been in operation since 2016. The function of the Trustees is to generally manage the Universities Fund

Job Purpose

Director Legal Services will provide corporate secretariat services to the Board and coordinate provision of legal services to the Fund.

Person Specification

For appointment to this a grade, a candidate must have;

• Bachelor of Laws Degree from a recognized institution;
• Master’s Degree in Law or other relevant Social Science from a recognized University;
• Must have served in the grade of Principal Legal Officer, Grade UF 5 for a minimum period of three (3) year or its equivalent
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council for Legal Education;
• Membership to the Law Society of Kenya (LSK);
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya;
• Valid Practising Certificate;
• Certificate in Corporate Governance from a recognized institution;
• Certified Secretary (CS-K) or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution;
• Certificate in Management course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognized institution; and
• Certificate in computer applications.

Key Competencies and skills

• Communication and reporting skills
• Managerial skills and ability to lead teams.
• Mentoring, coaching and leadership skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Emotional Intelligence
• Decision Making skills
• Supervisory skills
• Analytical skills
• Negotiation skills
• Visionary and innovative thinking
• Influencing skills
• Proficiency in IT applications

Responsibilities:

Duties and responsibilities of this position shall entail:

• Providing corporate secretariat services to both the Board
• Coordinating provision of legal services to the Fund.
• Custodian of the Common Seal.
• Interpreting and advising the Fund on all matters relating to the law.
• Overseeing the design, implementation and reviewing of legal agreements and contracts in liaison with relevant departments.
• Advising the Fund towards ensuring compliance with statutory, governance and other regulatory requirements.
• Providing advisory services in the formulation, implementation and review of the relevant laws, regulations and policies.
• Interpreting relevant legislation and advising Management and relevant Departments on changes in Law.
• Providing guidance in research and review of legislation that impacts on the Fund and recommend any necessary amendments.
• Coordination of the provision of legal advisory services to the Board of directors and Management.
• Liaising with the External Counsel representing the Fund in mainstream courts, Tribunals, and other courts.
• Reviewing and advising on contract execution by the Director General
• Being the custodian of the Fund’s contract documents, leases and charges, title documents to all landed property, Intellectual property rights and vehicle log books.
• Providing legal guidance on contractual and statutory obligations binding to the Fund and legal duties for the Board.
• Coordinating the preparation of legal opinions and instruments, memorandum of understanding, bilateral and multilateral legal instruments and other legal documents on  behalf of the Fund.
• Liaising with and coordinating provision of legal and policy guidance by other relevant

Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

• Coordinating the negotiation of legislation pertinent to the interests of the Fund.
• Liaising with stakeholders on consultations on various proposed laws and regulations.
• Providing legal expertise in regional and international partnership.
• Guiding in formulation and overseeing implementation of strategies for the Unit. Dissemination of the Board Resolutions.