Purpose of the job

This purpose of the role is to provide strategic leadership in provision of legal and regulatory advisory services on matters Corporate governance and development of legal strategies that ensure a robust legal and regulatory framework for the Office to achieve its mandate.

Responsibilities or duties

• Oversee the formulation, implementation and review of the Office’s legal and governance policies, systems and procedures in line with relevant legislations, regulations and policies to safeguard the interest of the Office and to ensure the achievement of Office’s mandate;
• Advise the Auditor-General and management on development and implementation of a governance framework that fosters achievement of Office’sobjectives and compliance with corporate governance, applicable laws and policies;
• Provide legal counsel to the Auditor-General and the management on their duties, responsibilities and powers and how these should be exercised in the best interest of the Office in line with statutory requirements;
• Oversee recording and updating of the Office’s register of conflict of interest and Code of Conduct;
• Guide the Office on matters touching on investigations of the Office by external agencies to ensure that the Office’s image and interest are secure;
• Oversee conduct of Legal Audit Compliance to ensure legal compliance with national, regional and international legal requirements;
• Oversee the Office’s engagements on all legal and regulatory matters, dispute handling processes needed to ensure the engagements are legally sound;
• Oversee all contracts, agreements and memoranda of understanding drafting, reviewing, negotiation and execution with external parties to ensure compliance with Policies and Statutes on behalf of the Office;
• Provide leadership in execution of risk management policy and strategies that ensure the directorate has a robust system and processes of accountability, risk management, internal controls, business continuity and succession management;
• Spearhead formulation, implementation and review of the Directorate’s annual work plans, budgets and procurement and asset disposal plans in line with the Office’s performance targets and strategic plan;
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of corruption prevention and mitigation strategies in the directorate;
• Coordinate implementation of a robust performance management system within the directorate through providing oversight of the delivery of the annual performance contract and the strategic plan;
• Establish effective collaboration and partnerships with organs of government, international organizations, private sectors, civil society and any other relevant stakeholders
• Establish and maintain effective, open and consultative relationships with clients and stakeholders (both internal and external);
• Foster high standards of ethical behaviour within the Office based on the provisions of the Public Audit Act, 2015, Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, ISSAI 130 and the Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Office;
• Spearhead capacity building by organizing periodic workshops to promote awareness of the public and other stakeholders on the need for transparency and accountability in the public sector;
• Provide leadership in planning, development, implementing and monitoring of budget for the Legal Services directorate to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the Office financial resources;
• Custodian of the seal and a record of its usage to authenticate the Office’s documents;
• Review and approve contracts, Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, leases and other legal documents to ensure compliance to statutory requirements and the Office’s policies;
• Review and provides advice on legal risks at the Office to avert errors of omission and commission while maintaining the Office’s reputation;
• Advise the Auditor-General and Management on changes in the law to ensure legal obligations are met; and
• Interpret legal documents on behalf of the Office
• Coordinate safe custody of the office legal documents, of discussion papers, and preparation of OAG Committee papers and company seals to protect the documents from access by unauthorized persons, and for fast retrieval for decision making purposes;
• Coordinate adequate preparation and representation of the Office in litigation cases, to ensure favourable ruling for the Office by the courts of law; and
• Coordinate the compilation of legal, governance and compliance reports in a timely manner.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

• Bachelor of Law (LL. B) degree from a recognized university;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education
• Be an advocate for the High Court of Kenya;
• Be a member of good standing of the Law Society of Kenya;
• Be in possession of a current practicing license;
• Senior Leadership Development Programme from a recognized Institution will be an added advantage;
• Proficiency in computer applications;

Experience needed

At least 15 years of practical experience in legal services from a reputable organization preferably in the public sector, three (3) of which must have been at the level of a Deputy Director of Legal or its equivalent and comparable position.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

Discover more

• Oversee the formulation, implementation and review of the Office’s legal and governance policies, systems and procedures in line with relevant legislations, regulations and policies to safeguard the interest of the Office and to ensure the achievement of Office’s mandate;
• Advise the Auditor-General and management on development and implementation of a governance framework that fosters achievement of Office’sobjectives and compliance with corporate governance, applicable laws and policies;
• Provide legal counsel to the Auditor-General and the management on their duties, responsibilities and powers and how these should be exercised in the best interest of the Office in line with statutory requirements;
• Oversee recording and updating of the Office’s register of conflict of interest and Code of Conduct;
• Guide the Office on matters touching on investigations of the Office by external agencies to ensure that the Office’s image and interest are secure;
• Oversee conduct of Legal Audit Compliance to ensure legal compliance with national, regional and international legal requirements;
• Oversee the Office’s engagements on all legal and regulatory matters, dispute handling processes needed to ensure the engagements are legally sound;
• Oversee all contracts, agreements and memoranda of understanding drafting, reviewing, negotiation and execution with external parties to ensure compliance with Policies and Statutes on behalf of the Office;
• Provide leadership in execution of risk management policy and strategies that ensure the directorate has a robust system and processes of accountability, risk management, internal controls, business continuity and succession management;
• Spearhead formulation, implementation and review of the Directorate’s annual work plans, budgets and procurement and asset disposal plans in line with the Office’s performance targets and strategic plan;
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of corruption prevention and mitigation strategies in the directorate;
• Coordinate implementation of a robust performance management system within the directorate through providing oversight of the delivery of the annual performance contract and the strategic plan;
• Establish effective collaboration and partnerships with organs of government, international organizations, private sectors, civil society and any other relevant stakeholders
• Establish and maintain effective, open and consultative relationships with clients and stakeholders (both internal and external);
• Foster high standards of ethical behaviour within the Office based on the provisions of the Public Audit Act, 2015, Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, ISSAI 130 and the Code of Conduct and Ethics for the Office;
• Spearhead capacity building by organizing periodic workshops to promote awareness of the public and other stakeholders on the need for transparency and accountability in the public sector;
• Provide leadership in planning, development, implementing and monitoring of budget for the Legal Services directorate to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the management of the Office financial resources;
• Custodian of the seal and a record of its usage to authenticate the Office’s documents;
• Review and approve contracts, Service Level Agreements, Memorandum of Understanding, leases and other legal documents to ensure compliance to statutory requirements and the Office’s policies;
• Review and provides advice on legal risks at the Office to avert errors of omission and commission while maintaining the Office’s reputation;
• Advise the Auditor-General and Management on changes in the law to ensure legal obligations are met; and
• Interpret legal documents on behalf of the Office
• Coordinate safe custody of the office legal documents, of discussion papers, and preparation of OAG Committee papers and company seals to protect the documents from access by unauthorized persons, and for fast retrieval for decision making purposes;
• Coordinate adequate preparation and representation of the Office in litigation cases, to ensure favourable ruling for the Office by the courts of law; and
• Coordinate the compilation of legal, governance and compliance reports in a timely manner.

• Proficiency in computer applications

• Bachelor of Law (LL. B) degree from a recognized university;
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education
• Be an advocate for the High Court of Kenya;
• Be a member of good standing of the Law Society of Kenya;
• Be in possession of a current practicing license;
• Senior Leadership Development Programme from a recognized Institution will be an added advantage;
• Proficiency in computer applications;