Bridge International Academies - Paralegal Officers

Position Title: Paralegal Officers

About Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies is a for-profit startup company revolutionizing education across Africa with a unique business model.

The company runs a large-scale network of low-cost primary schools in Kenya that significantly outperforms other primary schools in the same areas because of our “school in a box” systems.

Our schools profitably deliver this high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month, which enable the schools to cover all their costs and create a profitable central organization at scale.

We have launched 37 schools in Kenya, we will double in size in the next 6 months, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve more than 1 million students across the continent.

About this position

We have and are continuing to develop one of the most sophisticated approaches to providing affordable education to MILLIONS of children in one of the most challenging environments in the world.

This position within the finance and administration environment, will report to the Senior Legal Officer and be responsible for offering detailed field legal support across the company.

In particular, the paralegal officers will play a major role in following up issues within the communities where we work and ensuring a professional approach to monitoring, following up, reporting and documenting arising legal issues.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

• Support the development of the company’s legal structures and systems
• Developing and implementing action plans in consultations with department heads and the Senior legal Counsel
• Visit construction sites, schools and training sites to build adequate information on potential legal issues for discussion with respective heads of departments and Senior Legal Counsel
• Trainee contract reviews and follow up any defaulters in a structured way
• Handling correspondences on legal aspects and recommending appropriate legal actions
• Participate in drawing and vetting staff and commercial contracts, leases and other legal instruments while working closely with the lands department legal support team
• Train a team of champions within departments basic legal procedures and incident reporting.
• Ensure proper records and action based minutes of all legal matters handled at community and site levels
• Accompany staff on field activities where disputes and conflicts occur to guide discussions and collate all pertinent information to be used for decisions and actions.

Required qualifications, Skills and attributes

• Diploma or Certificate in Law from the Kenya School of Law
• Paralegal training with specializations in land, labour, children’s rights, arbitration or commercial areas
• Exposure successful resolution of labour issues and disputes within informal communities will be valuable
• Possession of strong and positive and reliable networks within major urban settlements in Kenya is highly desirable
• At least 3 years experience in a similar position in middle level management within a corporate NGO or working in a busy legal practice specializing in community support
• Qualified or well exposed arbitrator with proven negotiation skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel required)

About You

• Must have strong knowledge of customer relations/satisfaction as they relate to legal and commercial concepts
• Works well in an environment with firm deadlines; results oriented
• Perform multiple tasks effectively
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong analytical skills required
• Capable of making timely, independent decisions while consulting as appropriate
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communications skill with excellent Kiswahili language skills
• Confident, courageous and persuasive in court and during negotiations
• Provides weekly and monthly reports and goes over with department heads and Legal team leaders
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all matters
• Opens and closes all legal files
• Responsible for overall coordination of legal issues
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Possess advanced skills in customer service and provides effective solutions
• Ability to work long hours including weekends
• Passionate about children and education in Africa
• Must be well organized , detail-oriented and personable with a professional demeanor
• Excellent communication skill necessary to interact with other attorneys/lawyers and clients by both telephone and written correspondence

In order to be considered for this position all candidates must register and upload their CV’s on our website at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com

VSF Germany - Logistics Officer - Nairobi, Kenya

Background:

VSF Germany is an international Non Governmental Organization, providing humanitarian aid and development assistance to pastoralists and vulnerable communities in areas where livestock is of importance.

In the region, VSF Germany implements activities in southern Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

With support in animal health, agriculture, marketing, food safety but also with developing the capacity of communities and governmental institutions or initiating peace and conflict resolution we work towards food security and strengthened livelihoods of pastoralist communities.

We seek to recruit a highly motivated Logistician to support the operations and program implementation process in the region.

Key responsibility:

• Manage project Procurement of goods & services for the Projects.
• Keep an updated database on all purchases.
• Maintain procurement and inventory records as required.
• Conduct market surveys to gather & compare information on materials and applicable pricing.
• Maintain an updated database of prospective suppliers and regularly update respective price lists.
• Monitor & appraise Supplier and vendor reliability.
• Enter new Items into the main property data base and Keep an updated inventory of all VSF-G Assets.
• Tracking all goods throughout the supply chain from procurement to respective project Locations.
• Initiate requests for quotations and proposals including preparing Tender documents in liaison with the Program Managers.
• Analyze proposed pricing from potential suppliers and complete cost and price analysis.
• Raise and Issue Local Purchase Orders after ensuring relevant authorization.

Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required.

• College Diploma (Administration or Supply Chain diploma preferable).
• Excellent ability to manage account processing, with proven ability to function in a detail-oriented environment.
• Proficiency in Computer skills (MS Office) and familiar with the issue of databases.
• Experience with ERP or procurement/supply chain management software a plus.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a team member. Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Strong written and verbal English language skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills. A minimum of 3 years experience in humanitarian work logistics/operations
• Knowledge of NGO operations – an added advantage.
• Knowledge of humanitarian security issues in the region.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit an application letter and CV indicating their current and expected salary to: postal address or via email address given above.

Indicate on the subject the Job Title.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Closing date for receiving applications is 13th December 2011, on or before 16.00hrs

The State University of New York (Kenya) - Grants Manager

The Parliamentary Strengthening Project, funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the British Department for International Development (DfID), and implemented by the State University of New York’s Centre for International Development, seeks qualified candidates for the position of Grants Manager.

The Project works in partnership with the National Assembly to support Parliament’s various institutional development activities. The successful applicant, to be based in the Nairobi SUNY Kenya office, will report to the SUNY Kenya’s Deputy Chief of Party.

Functions and Requirements of the Position: The Grants Manager will manage a small grants programme that SUNY is undertaking to enable Kenyan civil society organisations support the work of the Kenya Parliament.

The Grants Manager will:-

• Oversee the grants review and selection process, ensure selected projects meet their contractual obligation to deliver quality services according to USAID regulations and requirements, and report results across the program to USAID and other stakeholders.
• Provide management leadership for the grant award process, including development of Requests for Applications (RFAs), coordinate and participate on the proposal review panel to score and select grant recipients to ensure they meet the objectives and comply with USAID rules and regulations.
• Coordinate the procurement process with the Finance Department to issue the grant awards and serve as principal contact for all grant applicants and other potential partners, develop RFAs, frequently asked questions (FAQs), document and respond to additional requests for information.
• Supervise and serve as the liaison between the grantee organizations and the USAID Parliamentary Strengthening Program to ensure contractual obligations for the projects are met and to process contractual actions such as deliverables, and modifications.
• Coordinate the financial reporting process when each grantee project submits requests for reimbursements, and reports financial status, monitoring and evaluation data and a narrative report on progress.
• Will conduct site visits to selected grantee organizations to directly observe project implementation, provide project management support, train grantees on USAID rules and regulations
• Compile and report information which is shared with USAID on a quarterly basis and is utilized to fulfil regular information requests from other government agencies or offices.
• Maintain the operations manual to document the process for each grant cycle. Compile and organize all grant materials.
• Organize and maintain all project documents and files related to grant process and individual grantee activities.
• Maintain and update specific project and related correspondence files, tracking and status sheets, and databases.
• Assume additional responsibilities of a programmatic/financial/administrative nature as position may require.
• The incumbent will carry out any other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director.

Desired Qualifications

• A university degree in Finance and/or Accounting with a CPA (K)
• At least 5 year(s) of relevant experience required in program management and support, ideally including managing a grants program.
• Thorough knowledge of and at least three (3) years experience working with, USAID rules and regulations.
• High level computer literacy with excellent knowledge of word processing and spread sheet software applications required (MS Word; MS Excel).
• Ability to initiate and implement activities with minimal oversight and supervision, assess priorities, and competently complete a variety of activities with a high level of accuracy and timeliness;
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and communication skills combined with problem-solving skills; Proven ability to concurrently handle and prioritize multiple tasks for multiple projects; excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Excellent communications skills, including writing and editing facilities;
• Strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to interact effectively, and with tact, with a variety of people and organizations;
• Strong financial management skills, knowledge of auditing practices and principles required.

To Apply:

Prepare a one-page cover letter summarizing your interest in and qualifications for the position you are interested in and append a brief CV. Forward this by email to suny@sunykenya.org addressed to The Country Director, Parliamentary Strengthening Project, SUNY Kenya. Applications will be accepted until 21st December, 2011 at 12.00 noon.

Following application reviews, short-listed candidates will be notified.

Only those who qualify for this high level position should apply.

No phone calls please.

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

As there is a high number of applications expected for this position, please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not receive a response from us

The Parliamentary Service Commission - Kenya National Assembly Pupilage Programme Career Opportunities

Republic of Kenya

Kenya National Assembly

The Parliamentary Service Commission

Pupilage Programme

The National Assembly is one of the institutions set out in the Council of Legal Education (Admission) Regulations, 2007 as an institution in which students of the Kenya School of Law may undertake their pupilage program.

The parliamentary Service Commission now seeks three (3) highly motivated Kenyans to undertake their pupilage program in the National Assembly for a period of six (6) months commencing January, 2012.

The successful pupils shall be selected from applicants who-

(a) Possess a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree (Upper Second Class Honours) from a recognized University;

(b) Are admitted to the Kenya School of Law;

(c) Demonstrate a good verbal and written communications skills in both English and Kiswahili;

(d) Demonstrate a proactive attitude and willingness to learn and to be part of a team handling challenging tasks within strict timelines; and

(e) Are computer literate.

Applications, together with certified copies of academic certificates and testimonials, should be submitted so as to be received on or before Friday 16th December, 2011.

The applications shall be in a sealed envelope clearly marked “Application for Pupilage” and shall be addressed to-

The Clerk/Secretary
Parliamentary Service Commission
Parliament buildings
P.O.Box 41842-00100
Nairobi

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews