ILRI Legal Officer Job in Kenya

Legal Officer

Vacancy Number: IP/ LO/02/2013
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Duration: 2-year contract renewable

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to enhance the roles livestock play in pathways out of poverty in developing countries. 

ILRI is a member of the CGIAR Consortium, a global research partnership of 15 centres working with many partners for a food-secure future. 

ILRI has two main campuses in East Africa and other hubs in East, West and southern Africa and South, Southeast and East Asia. http://www.ilri.org.

CGIAR is a global agricultural research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 research centres that are members of the CGIAR Consortium in collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations. www.cgiar.org.

Reporting to the Intellectual Property & Legal Counsel and working closely with Research and other Support Units of ILRI, the Legal Officer will provide legal expertise and support in a range of fields including management of Contracts, Organizational and Corporate Law, Labour Laws, IP Law to deliver high quality, result-oriented and efficient services to the Institute.

Key responsibilities

• Contract lifecycle management, including preparation, review, negotiation and advise on all research agreements (including donor agreements, partnership and host country agreements, MoUs, research collaborations, consultancies, material transfer agreements, licensing agreements etc) and other institutional agreements and contracts; monitoring finalisation and submission/return of completed contracts, appropriate follow-ups and archiving of all research and other institutional agreements.
• Maintaining and updating the ILRI Contracts Management System.
• Keeping abreast with legal and policy developments at national, regional and international level and providing updates and advise on such developments in law that are of relevance.
• Contribute to the development of implementation guidelines for and support the implementation of ILRI’s IP Policy and other Research Policies;
• Contribute to the development and improvement of the Legal Unit including the implementation of new systems.
• Research and preparation of legal opinions and briefs
• Provide advice and guidance to staff members in order to build capacity, leverage knowledge and ensure effective and consistent management and provision of legal services;
• Coordinate the organization of meetings including teleconferences and serving as secretary to such meetings by taking, preparing and sending minutes to the participants;
• Assist with issues related to the CGIAR Consortium and governance issues.
• Performing such other tasks as Management and Legal Counsel may assign from time to time.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B) from a university recognized in Kenya. Candidates with relevant post-graduate or other qualifications in IP Law will have an added advantage
• Post-graduate diploma in Legal studies from the Kenya School of Law
• An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
• Be of good standing and possess a current LSK practicing certificate
• Have at least two year’s post-admission experience in legal practice in a busy environment, preferably in a corporate environment or an international non-profit organisation
• Demonstrate good grasp of relevant laws including but not limited to Laws governing International non-profit organisations; Kenyan Law and the Constitution of Kenya 2010; IP Law and related International Laws and Treaties, Labour Laws and Corporate Governance.
• Possess excellent communication, research, presentation and analysis skills
• Proactive and self-motivated individual able to work with minimum supervision
• Proficiency in basic Computer and Typing skills ( word, excel, outlook and PowerPoint)

Other competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to ILRI’s mission, vision and values.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Ability to perform work of a confidential nature and handle large volume of work
• Commitment to personal learning and development and applies newly acquired knowledge and skills
• Ability to provide input to implementation of new systems
• Ability to provide helpful feedback, advice and support to ensure effective teamwork in meeting the organization’s objectives
• Good knowledge of personnel administration rules and regulations

Terms of Appointment: 

This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position based at ILRI’s Nairobi campus.  It is open to Kenyan nationals only.  

The position is on a 2-year contract renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Job level and salary: 

This position is job level 2D with a starting gross salary of KES 170,796 per month. The benefits package includes pension, medical and other insurances for ILRI’s Nationally Recruited Staff.

Location: The position will be based at the ILRI campus.

How to Apply: 

Applicants should send a cover letter and CV combined as one document addressed to the Human Resources Director, explaining their interest in the position, what they can bring to the job and the names and addresses (including telephone and email) of three referees who are knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience by 20th February, 2013.  

Log on to:  http://www.myjobsinkenya.com/ilri_jobs.

The position title and reference number REF: IP/LO/02/2013 should be clearly marked on the cover letter. 

Only online applications will be considered, and only short listed candidates will be contacted.