Principal accountabilities

• Overall responsibility for the proper functioning of the legal department as well as managing and leading the legal department team to ensure objectives of the Legal Department are met effectively.
• Provide expert legal advice to the Company’s management on all areas of the Company’s business.
• Identify proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate legal risks.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage a wide range of agreements, including but not limited to commercial agreements (retail, distribution, supply, aviation and industry sales, procurement services, etc.) lands acquisition and lease contracts, amicable protocols, various partnership and JV agreements and innominate contracts.
• Ensure that all contracts reflect management’s intent; contain adequate protection of the Company’s interests as identified by law and approved by management.
• Ensure company compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Develop, draft and/or review internal policies and other legal documents to ensure the Company’s full legal rights.
• Communicate in a timely manner with the Group Legal Coordinators on matters coming to Group management for review and endorsement.
• Report information timely and accurately to the Group Legal Coordinators in a predetermined periodic manner or as required from time to time.
• Organizing periodic meetings with and managing local outside counsel.
• Initiate and if necessary, pursue legal proceedings as required by the Company.
• Prepare writs, defences, submissions and other pleadings in cases both for and against the Company.
• Review, advise and follow-up matters including ongoing legal cases, directed to external counsels and advice the Company management and/or Group accordingly.
• Ensure perfect filing and safe keeping of Company’s corporate data and other key documents (titles deeds, lease contracts, licensing, registers, etc.)
• Deal with external parties, including but not limited to external counsel, auditors, partners, suppliers, clients and public authorities.
• Keep “up to date” of legislative changes that may affect the Company and Group.
• Provide training to the Company management and staff on implemented Company’s policies and fundamental legal topics.
• Monitor judgment notifications, summons, receipt of notice, assignments, demands.
• Carry out Company secretary’s duties including prepare, in compliance with regulatory, statutory and internal requirements, all required documents to the governing bodies for the Board and Shareholders’ meetings or otherwise and have them endorsed by the appropriate corporate support functions in the Group.
• Perform and complete legal formalities including but not limited to minutes of statutory meetings, publication, updating the trade register.
• Verifying of legal-related invoices, fees, and payment obligations.
• Attend and/or represent the Company at any external meeting where required.

Supervision

Responsible for the supervision and management of the legal function and team members.

Profile of the candidate:Academic Qualification & Professional Experience

• Master Degree of Law (LLM degree) from a reputable university
• At least 10 years relevant legal experience in a busy commercial law practice or private company.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of the laws of Kenya, courts, procedures, and practice in:
• Business and commercial law (domestic and international trade law)
• Contract law / labour law / local trade law
• Litigation
• Dispute Resolution
• Competition rules
• Shareholders rights
• Familiarity with corporate secretarial obligations and applicable filing regulations
• Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity
• Sound judgement and ability to analyse situations and information
• Apt Legal drafting applying business language, spoken and written
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Impeccable planning, discipline, organization and supervisory skills
• Precision, rigour, accuracy and attention to detail