About the position

Our client is a Commercial State Corporation whose mandate is research, production, and marketing of top-quality seeds with an overall objective of adding value to its farming business and contributing to food self – sufficiency in Kenya and beyond.

Our client is seeking to recruit highly qualified and strategic oriented individuals with high degree of professionalism to fill the positions of (i) Head, Research and Development (ii) Company Secretary and Head of Legal Services and (iii) Manager, Human Resource. The successful candidates will play a critical role in driving change and transformation in the Company and will report directly to the Managing Director.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the provision of company secretarial functions to the board, provision of legal advice, litigation management, regulatory compliance, contract preparation and implementation of good corporate governance.

Key responsibilities

• Provision of secretarial services to the Board which include coordinating and scheduling of Board meetings, preparation of Board papers, documenting and ensuring the safe custody of minutes, Board induction and training, preparation of Board work plans, Board evaluation, governance audit, and the implementation of the Company’s code of conduct and ethics.
• Advise the Board and Management on all legal aspects of the Company’s business.
• Co-ordinate litigation management and the appointment of external lawyers.
• Coordinating and ensuring representation of the Company in courts or other judicial authorities.
• Oversee the preparation, review and the execution of contracts and other legal agreements between the Company and external entities.
• Co-ordinate the procurement of insurance services and their administration.
• Maintain an inventory of all Company land and buildings.
• Follow up on the issuance of titles and renewal of leases and leasing of Company properties.
• Participate in the development of Company policies, procedures and guidelines and ensure compliance of the same.
• Ensure that contractual risks are efficiently managed.
• Co-ordinate and ensure representation of the Company in courts or other judicial authorities.
• Manage the Company’s Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism.
• Oversee development of preventive legal policies and strategies aimed at forestalling disputes, controversies and litigation.
• Oversee the Legal Registry.
• Ensure safe custody of the Company Seal, Corporation’s legal instruments, Legal documents, Title documents, intellectual property records and all other Corporations properties / Assets.
• Liaise with the Attorney General, law enforcement agencies and stakeholders on all legal matters.
• Oversee compliance audit in the Company.
• Prepare periodic work progress reports.
• Prepare departmental budgets, work plans and procurement plans.

Person specifications

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree in Law from a recognised institution.
• A Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognised institution.
• Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• Must be a Certified Public Secretary.
• Must be a member of Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
• A minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant work experience with five (5) years at a managerial position in a public or private firm.
• A leadership course lasting not less than four (4) weeks from a recognised institution will be an added advantage.
• Must demonstrate working knowledge of computer applications.
• Must demonstrate leadership and excellent communication skills.
• Must demonstrate ability to be a team player.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, during the recruitment process.

If you fit the profile of this role please follow the link below to apply for the position https://forms.office.com/r/yCK6S3phVT.

All applications must be received by Monday, 23 January 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Hard-copy applications will not be accepted for this recruitment.

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer