SMEC’s origins date back to the iconic Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme in 1949. Today SMEC is consistently recognised for technical excellence and design innovation by the world’s leading engineering bodies. Striving to deliver service excellence across a range of industry sectors, SMEC has developed and refined a core service offering covering the lifecycle of a project.

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Legal Manager

Job Type

Full Time

Qualification

BA/BSc/HND , Professional Certificate

Experience

7 - 9 years

Location

Nairobi

Job Field

Legal & Regulatory

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review terms and conditions related to specific contracts and ensure that any obligations placed on SJ group companies are in accordance with our commercial and legal operating guidelines.
• Provide assistance with or lead contract negotiations where required. These contracts shall include, amongst others, agreements with clients, appointments of sub-consultants or contractors; and agreements with other third parties, such as potential business partners.
• Manage litigation matters. This shall include, amongst others: Consultations and communications with our external legal counsel, Involvement in tender appeal processes.
• Managing debt collection processes. And Involvement in the resolution of contractual disputes.
• Review proposals (and requests for tender) as part of business tendering activities and: provide legal and related commercial advice in respect of the proposed project-based activities and contractual provisions provided in the request for tender; effectively interface with bid managers and other (e.g. tax, insurance) reviewers and/or advisors; ensure that feedback is given in due course to the project team; and ensure that potential risks to the company is identified and mitigated against in the proposal
• Provide guidance to project managers relating to contractual obligations under current contracts.
• Provide general legal advice
• Assist with any ad hoc commercial and legal responsibilities, including the drafting of legal notices, letters, and providing legal and commercial advice aligned to SMEC standard practice.
• MIS update and compliance.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDIDCATORS

• Successfully conclude contracts with terms that are commercially and legally favourable to SJ, while ensuring risk mitigation and compliance.
• Effectively manage and achieve successful resolution of litigation, arbitration, and other dispute matters involving SJ.
• Drive recovery of bad debts through appropriate and effective legal mechanisms.
• Ensure implementation, adherence, and monitoring of the company’s policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Lead and support continuous process improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and risk governance.
• Maintain a high level of legal and regulatory compliance, with performance measured through internal and external audits.
• Demonstrate a strong attention to detail, adherence to timelines, and the ability to perform under pressure while following established processes.
• Proactively use independent judgment and initiative to address legal and business requirements.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including drafting, negotiations, and stakeholder interactions.
• Demonstrate flexibility and commitment, including willingness to travel and work beyond official working hours when business exigencies require.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent or better legal qualification. Attorney Certification.
• Maximum 7-9 years post qualification experience.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Experience in handling high stake construction contracts based on FIDIC and IFI standards
• Good exposure in drafting and negotiating engineering design consultancy and construction contracts.
• Experience of working under FIDIC and IFI funded projects for infrastructure, design, architecture, project management and engineering and consultancy contracts.
• Should have handled commercial Litigations and Arbitrations.
• Manage and oversee the company's litigation, including coordinating with external legal counsels and internal stakeholders
• Experience in PowerPoint and MS Excel skills shall be added advantage

• Review terms and conditions related to specific contracts and ensure that any obligations placed on SJ group companies are in accordance with our commercial and legal operating guidelines.
• Provide assistance with or lead contract negotiations where required. These contracts shall include, amongst others, agreements with clients, appointments of sub-consultants or contractors; and agreements with other third parties, such as potential business partners.
• Manage litigation matters. This shall include, amongst others: Consultations and communications with our external legal counsel, Involvement in tender appeal processes.
• Managing debt collection processes. And Involvement in the resolution of contractual disputes.
• Review proposals (and requests for tender) as part of business tendering activities and: provide legal and related commercial advice in respect of the proposed project-based activities and contractual provisions provided in the request for tender; effectively interface with bid managers and other (e.g. tax, insurance) reviewers and/or advisors; ensure that feedback is given in due course to the project team; and ensure that potential risks to the company is identified and mitigated against in the proposal
• Provide guidance to project managers relating to contractual obligations under current contracts.
• Provide general legal advice
• Assist with any ad hoc commercial and legal responsibilities, including the drafting of legal notices, letters, and providing legal and commercial advice aligned to SMEC standard practice.
• MIS update and compliance.

• Strong attention to detail
• Adherence to timelines
• Ability to perform under pressure
• Following established processes
• Proactive use of independent judgment and initiative
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Drafting
• Negotiations
• Stakeholder interactions
• Flexibility and commitment
• Willingness to travel
• Willingness to work beyond official working hours
• Experience in PowerPoint and MS Excel skills

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent or better legal qualification. Attorney Certification.
• Maximum 7-9 years post qualification experience.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Experience in handling high stake construction contracts based on FIDIC and IFI standards
• Good exposure in drafting and negotiating engineering design consultancy and construction contracts.
• Experience of working under FIDIC and IFI funded projects for infrastructure, design, architecture, project management and engineering and consultancy contracts.
• Should have handled commercial Litigations and Arbitrations.
• Manage and oversee the company's litigation, including coordinating with external legal counsels and internal stakeholders