The Sacco Legal Officer provides crucial legal advisory services, ensures stringent regulatory compliance, manages contracts, oversees litigation processes, and generally protects the Sacco from legal and compliance risks. This role is pivotal in ensuring the Sacco operates in full accordance with the laws governing co-operatives, SASRA regulations, data protection legislation, labour laws, and all other relevant legal frameworks. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
1. Legal Advisory & Compliance
- Provide timely legal advice to Management, the Board, and various departments on all matters affecting the Sacco.
- Ensure compliance with the Co-operative Societies Act, SASRA Regulations, Data Protection Act, Employment Act, and all other applicable laws.
- Review, develop, and regularly update policies, procedures, bylaws, and governance documents.
- Monitor legal and regulatory changes and proactively advise the Sacco on necessary adjustments.
- Coordinate and respond effectively to regulatory inspections, audits, and compliance reviews conducted by bodies such as SASRA, the Commissioner for Cooperatives, and the Data Commissioner.
2. Human Resource & Administrative Legal Support
- Advise on disciplinary cases, staff contracts, termination processes, and labour disputes.
- Ensure comprehensive compliance with prevailing labour laws and internal HR policies.
3. Litigation and Dispute Management
- Manage all litigation matters involving the Sacco, including liaising effectively with external advocates.
- Prepare detailed instructions for advocates and ensure the timely submission of all necessary supporting documents.
- Monitor case progress diligently, prepare management reports, and recommend appropriate legal action.
- Support debt recovery processes through legal mechanisms, including issuing demands, CRB listings, and initiating court action.
4. Governance Support
- Provide essential legal guidance to the Board, Board Committees, and Management.
- Assist in the preparation of Board papers related to legal and compliance matters.
- Ensure strict adherence to corporate governance standards and the Sacco code of conduct.
5. Contract Management
- Draft, review, and negotiate all Sacco contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), leases, service agreements, and partnership documents.
- Ensure that all contracts safeguard the Sacco's interests and comply with relevant laws and internal policies.
- Maintain a proper and secure contracts registry.
6. Records & Legal Documentation
- Manage legal files, the contracts library, insurance policies, and statutory documents.
- Ensure the proper and secure custody of all legal and corporate documents.
7. Member & Customer Issues
- Handle customer complaints that require legal interpretation or input.
- Support alternative dispute resolution processes between members and the Sacco.
Qualifications & Experience
- Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from an accredited law school.
- At least two years post admission experience.
- Must possess a valid practicing certificate.
- Be a Registered member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the Sacco business model and other operational issues of a Sacco.
- Good analytical, communication, and writing skills.
- Excellent organization and interpersonal skills.
- High level of attention to detail.
