Legal Officer I

Role Overview

The Legal Officer I is responsible for the provision of effective and efficient management of the legal department, provision of legal advisory services, and ensuring the effective management of legal and contractual risks within the University. The Legal Officer reports directly to the Vice Chancellor and plays a critical role in safeguarding the institution's interests.

Key Responsibilities

• Contract Management: Draw and review all contracts, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and lease agreements concerning the university to ensure the institution is not exposed to any legal risks.
• Legal Auditing: Carry out legal audits of the university to ensure that it complies with legal statutes, policies, and acts of parliament.
• Procurement Compliance: Review tender documents before award of the tender to ensure compliance with the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.
• Litigation and Defense: Receive and review all court summons to ensure that the university prepares an adequate defense in all cases filed against it. Appear in court and defend the university in cases where the legal department does not have a conflict of interest.
• Advisory Services: Draft memoranda to the Vice Chancellor and other heads of departments to advise them on legal liabilities, omissions, or commissions that they may commit in the course of their duties.
• Policy Review: Review all university policies, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance with the law.
• Disciplinary Support: Attend university disciplinary committee meetings to ensure that students and/or employees are allowed the right to defend themselves and ensure the university complies with laid-down legal procedures.
• Training: Conduct regular training for staff members and student leaders on emerging legal issues that may affect the university.
• Ethics and Risk Strategy: Ensure compliance with ethical standards by all university employees by keeping and monitoring the conflict of interest register and gift register. Assist the University in adopting and propagating appropriate and effective legal strategies to limit the University's legal liability.
• Budgeting: Prepare and manage the budget for the legal department.
• General Duties: Perform any other duty as assigned from time to time.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: Masters in Law (LLM) OR Bachelors of Law (LLB) with Certified Public Secretary (CPS-K) or equivalent.
• Professional Status: Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• Experience: At least six (6) years' experience, of which at least three (3) years must be at the level of Legal Officer II Grade 11 or its equivalent.
• Membership: Must be a registered member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in good standing.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in relevant computer applications.

How to Apply

Applications should be accompanied by an application letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae, and certified copies of relevant academic and professional certificates, National Identity Card or valid Passport, testimonials, e-mail addresses, telephone contacts, and any other relevant supporting documents.

Submission Details:

• Email: Send a soft copy in PDF format of the application documents with the reference numbers of the positions applied for clearly indicated to: recruitmentextfeb26@jooust.ac.ke.
• Hard Copies: Ten (10) hard copies should be sent by post or hand-delivered to the address below.
• Referee Reports: Applicants should request their three (3) referees to send confidential reports to recruitmentextfeb26@jooust.ac.ke addressed to the undersigned by the deadline.

Address for Delivery: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Administration & Finance) Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology P.O. Box 210-40601 BONDO

Deadline: Wednesday, 9th April 2026, by 5:00 p.m.

Required Clearances (for successful candidates only):

• Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
• Higher Education Loans Board (HELB)
• Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
• Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Certificate of Good Conduct)
• Registered Credit Reference Bureau (CRB)