Legal Assistant

JOB PURPOSE:

• The Role is poised to ensure proactive timely delivery of legal counselling to its operations in Kenya and to successfully implement and execute the Legal Functional strategy and objectives. To take responsibility in advising their entities in Kenya on all legal matters pertaining to Commercial, Operational, Governance, and Regulatory aspects of the business.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operational/Professional/Business: -

• Contribute to the development and execution of the Legal functional strategy.
• Monitor and interpret the Kenya legislative environment in which the business operates, to ensure that the business understands and meets its legal obligations.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of regulatory issues and the regulatory framework in which the business operates and take responsibility for the development of informed solutions enabling the business to respond to and deal with regulatory constraints.
• Management of any litigation instituted by or against the business as allocated by the Head of Legal, Kenya including devising and executing case strategy.
• Support the Head of Legal, Kenya in entity management and ensuring compliance with good corporate governance practices of our client’s entities in Kenya.
• Participate and contribute to cross functional business projects and initiatives to assess, monitor and anticipate potential threats to minimize legal risks and ensure achievement of business objectives.
• Draft, negotiate and review contractual documentation and develop appropriate standard formats to optimize efficiencies within the Legal sub-function.
• Execute relevant administrative activities in the Function to ensure the availability of resources, continuous flow of information and updated records.
• Ensure an improved control environment in Legal in line with the business strategy.
• Effectively communicate across functions and within the department to keep all stakeholders informed and to find solutions for problems of mutual interest.

Leadership Capabilities: -

• Support, implement and achieve the strategic plans and objectives of the Legal sub-function in line with the business strategy.
• Powerful and effective communication to the business on the relevance and strategic business importance of the area of responsibility of this role.
• Identify new initiatives and proposals in line with the business strategy and values to ensure legal operates at the heart of the business and as effective risk managers and business partners.
• Map out internal and external stakeholders pertinent to areas of responsibility and build those relationships to optimize effectiveness of legal actions.
• Continually optimize and build improved systems and work processes to drive efficiency and reduce costs.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• A recognized legal qualification through a reputable academic institution and competence in providing legal advice to internal stakeholders.
• At least 3-4 years’ post qualification legal experience.
• Desirable to have at least 2-3 years’ experience in fast paced law firms.
• Experience in litigation management
• Desirable to have experience in company secretarial practice and board matters (CPSK).
• Thorough knowledge of local substantive and procedural laws relevant to areas of responsibility e.g. Commercial Law, labour laws, land laws, factory/manufacturing regulations, EHS legislation, etc.
• Strong negotiation, written and verbal communications skills.