Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsel

Brief Description

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 department, will be responsible for leading conclusively and in a professional and timely manner all legal activities across the company.

Description

Position Title: Senior Legal Counsel

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 department, will be responsible for leading conclusively and in a professional and timely manner all legal activities across the company

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

• Build the company’s legal structures and systems and develop a small but strong team to handle legal matters at all levels of the company
• Developing and implementing departmental plans, policies and procedures to guide all legal issues arising in the company.
• Developing and implementing strategies on risk management, litigation, records and property issues in the company
• Participate in drawing and vetting staff and commercial contracts, leases and other legal instruments while working closely with the lands department legal support team
• Participate in negotiations between the company and other parties to assure the company’s legal rights are upheld
• Ensure safe custody and proper management of company instruments such as land titles, seals, stamps, securities and records
• Negotiate disputes and conflicts with third parties, community stakeholders and other public interfacing with the company to ensure settlement out of court as much as this leads to the company’s best interest
• Represent the company and its officers in court in all litigation matters
• Ensure the company is in compliance with all statutory requirements
• Liaise with external lawyers and company secretary to ensure the company’s interests are adequately protected.
• Advisor to the company human resources and other management teams in all legal issues

Required qualifications, skills and attributes

• LLB degree from a recognized institution
• Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law
• Hold a valid practicing certificate
• Possession of company secretarial skills and exposure to resolution of labour issues and informal community issues will be valuable
• At least 5 years experience in a similar position in middle to senior level management within a corporate or large training institution or a busy and well established legal practice
• Qualified or well exposed arbitrator with proven negotiation skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word and Excel required)

About You

• Strong ability to lead and develop a team of junior legal officers and specialized paralegals
• 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
• Performs 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 communication skills
• Confident, courageous and persuasive in court and during negotiations
• Provides weekly and monthly reports and goes over with department heads and CEO
• 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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Land Compliance Auditor

Brief Description

We are seeking a full-time Land Compliance Auditor, who will be a vital member of the land team in their push to find plots of land suitable for schools inside slums and in low-income areas all over the country.

The Land Complicate Officer will be responsible for ensuring we have all the necessary documentation to buy the land and build our school and manage a team of people.

Description

Land Compliance Auditor

Nairobi, Kenya

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 are seeking a full-time Land Compliance Auditor, who will be a vital member of the land team in their push to find plots of land suitable for schools inside slums and in low income areas all over the country.

A central part of our operations includes the identification, verification, negotiation and purchase of plots of land for our schools – this might be inside a slum or in a low-income community on the edge of a city.

These plots sometimes have clouded title histories, but through our land identification and procurement process we must establish a certain amount of security -- understanding the previous ownership, other potential competing claims, titling possibility, issues with city / municipal council, lands office, etc.

To make these determinations and the actual purchase, the process may involve negotiations with local village elders, local government administration, and local landlords, and ultimately a sales or lease contract written with some or all of these participants.

The Land Compliance Auditor will form the link between the field and the office, checking on plots of land, verifying the documentation needed to ensure a clean and efficient purchasing process.

The Land Compliance Auditor will report to the Head of Department, offering written reports on plots, checklist on the documentation we have and need to have, their ownership and the research undertaken to ensure the company has the security to purchase the plot.

S/he will also be responsible for communication from the Land Department to the Finance Department, and so therefore must be an experienced Field and Operational Auditor.

The Land Compliance Officer will focus on certain elements of the land acquisition and linkage to the Finance Department.

These include:

Land:

• Meeting and dealing with land agents and vendors
• Managing a team of land specialists (people who go to the Ministry of Lands of the Local Council to undertake title searches, file documents, collect documents from vendors, etc)
• Recognising potential conflict surrounding land and land purchases, and ensuring documentation exists to fill any gaps in the plot purchase process
• Writing briefing notes and site specific reports
• Investigating conflicting land ownership claims
• Establishing and utilizing contacts at local and central government to find clear information on land ownership

Planning

• Prepare and present annual Land audit plans for review with HOD and senior management teams
• Implement the audit plans on weekly/monthly/quarterly basis

Process and Tools

• Assist in design and implementation of structures, processes, documentation and procedures for improvement of land procurement and financial controls on the same

Analysis

• Maintain up to date records of each piece of land with all pieces of information that would be required in the finance cycle e.g. tenure, documentation, minutes, notes and minutes of procurement discussions
• Prepare weekly analysis of progress on ongoing land procurement to highlight and indicate the completion state and financial/legal/contractual requirements remaining to be done for that piece of land

Field Audit

• Visit the sites with land officers and verify facts as presented by land scouts and land officers.
• Follow up any issues that are not clear and ensure they are clarified upfront before the next stage of the plot procurement
• Meet the potential sellers and ensure they are aware of the steps to expect in completing the land sale. Ensure clarify that no money should be paid to land scouts/officers and any agents purporting to work for Bridge International.
• Assess suitability of land locations and seller credentials as guided by the risk analysis requirements of the Lands department
• Make any other pertinent observations that would assist the company in making the most optimal land procurement decisions
• File regular field audit reports to the Head of Lands and COO/CEO

Reporting

• Prepare and circulate weekly land updates to respective heads of department
• Prepare monthly land transaction reports and audit commentaries for review with head of lands and head of finance
• Prepare quarterly land procurement cash flow projections with monthly reviews and revisions
• Prepare land cost analysis for evaluation of agreed review issues e.g. cost per square foot comparatives etc

Inspection

• Inspect commencement of construction in new schools to provide the bridging support between lands and construction at the transition point
• Review land records with respective agents to ascertain accuracy, authenticity and any encumbrances
• Inspect land reports and records in the company’s Navision system and assure proper and consistent application of internal policy and standard land accounting policies

Approval/Payment support

• Initiate land payment processes at each level of land procurement for approval by heads of lands and finance
• Provide feedback of process completion before next level of payment can be made
• Participate in the payment supervision and collation of evidence of payment in every aspect of Land procurement

Compliance/Liaison

• Monitor city/municipal/county council fees and other payments requirements and liaise with finance for prompt payment to the right agencies
• Ensure compliance with all other internal and external rules, regulations and processes affecting land procurement and payments

Oversight

• Regular visit to the Legal advisers on land to review our land files for completeness and other required actions
• Market value reviews and feedback

This is a very hands-on job, with the Land Compliance Auditor in the field about 20% of the time (although reducing once the correct processes are tools are in place leading to greater efficiency)

About You

• You are knowledgeable of land transactions and the procedures involved
• You have project management and supervisory skills
• Operational and finance audit experience for 5-7 years preferably in a reputable property company or leading audit firms in Kenya
• Ability to plan and consistently deliver on agreed activities throughout the year
• Understanding of legal/property/financial processes will be essential- qualifications in accounting, finance, land economics or law will be required.
• Cross departmental communication skills are essential
• Highly ethical professional with proven integrity
• Well organised and process minded person
• Experience in working in very poor communities is a real plus
• Experience in dealing with sensitive issues regarding land
• You are not afraid of getting your hands dirty
• You have experience managing and working with teams of people
• You function well in a fast-paced informal environment where constant change is the norm and the bar for quality is set high
• You are comfortable with numbers and maps
• Advanced computer skills (Excel, Project Management) and web literacy

Our team has a passionate belief that basic primary education is critical to the development of every child, family, community and nation.

We believe that it is possible to address this critical need for poor families through new and innovative approaches leveraging the private sector, and that by providing low-cost but high-quality primary education, we will give millions of children the opportunity to accomplish their dreams. We are looking for someone who wants to join us in this rewarding task.

You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted   

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Pathfinder International - Finance Management Advisor - Mombasa, Kenya

Our client, Pathfinder International (Pathfinder), is a global leader in reproductive healthcare.

For more than fifty years Pathfinder has been focusing on ensuring that vulnerable groups of people have the right and opportunity to live a healthy reproductive life.

Pathfinder is seeking to recruit a high calibre, results oriented, experienced and highly skilled professional for the position of Finance Management Advisor.

The role

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, the ideal candidate will be responsible for effective and efficient management of the Finance, Administration and Information Technology (IT) functions for the APHIAplus Coast project.

Based in Mombasa, the individual will oversee the management of financial resources for the project in line with donor guidelines and regulations, and ensure effective and efficient provision of administrative and IT support services for all project activities in the Coast region.

The person

The ideal candidate will possess an undergraduate business degree, professional accounting certification, and at least seven (7) years financial management experience in a leading organisation.

The candidate must have a demonstrable track record of integrity, effective grant management and at least three (3) years experience in management of USAID funded projects.

The offer

If your career aspirations match this exciting opportunity, please write in confidence quoting the position title and reference number on the subject of the email or cover letter on or before Friday, December 30th 2011.

Applications including your curriculum vitae, a working e-mail address, daytime telephone contacts, qualifications, experience, present position, current remuneration, names and addresses of three referees should be emailed to esdpi@kpmg.co.ke.

Applicants will be required to provide the following addressed directly to KPMG:

1) a reference letter from their immediate past employer.

2) a character reference from an individual who has known the applicant for at least 3 years.

3) confirmation from the professional organisation that they are a member in good standing.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

A detailed job profile can be accessed by clicking the link: Finance Management Advisor profile.