Head of Legal Unit

About the role

The University of Eastern Africa Baraton seeks a senior legal professional to lead its Legal Unit, providing strategic governance, compliance and advisory services across the institution.

Key responsibilities

• Advise the University Management Board and Senate on governance matters, ensuring compliance with statutes, Seventh‑day Adventist Church policies, institutional rules and Kenyan law.
• Draft, review, negotiate and manage a wide range of agreements including MOUs, partnership, consultancy, research, grant, vendor, lease and IP licences.
• Oversee litigation and dispute resolution, engage external counsel, prepare pleadings and maintain a litigation register.
• Support accreditation, monitor legislative changes affecting higher education and advise on policy adjustments.
• Provide legal risk assessments, maintain risk registers and counsel senior management on mitigation strategies.

Required profile

• LLM and LLB from a recognised university.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practising certificate.
• Minimum five years post‑admission experience, preferably in corporate, commercial or institutional law.
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
• Demonstrated experience in governance, compliance and legal advisory within a complex organisation.

Required skills

• Contract drafting and negotiation.
• Litigation management and alternative dispute resolution.
• Compliance monitoring and governance advisory.
• Data protection and privacy law compliance.
• Intellectual property law and technology transfer.