Job Description
The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) is inviting applications from accomplished legal professionals for the position of **Principal Legal Services Officer**. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced advocate who is passionate about delivering strategic legal support within a dynamic organization that plays a critical role in Kenya's energy sector. The successful candidate will become part of a highly professional Legal Services Department and will report directly to the Manager – Legal Services while supporting the organization in safeguarding its legal interests, enhancing corporate governance, strengthening regulatory compliance, and minimizing legal exposure across diverse operational activities.
The Principal Legal Services Officer will provide expert legal guidance on complex corporate matters, contractual arrangements, commercial transactions, dispute resolution, governance frameworks, employment issues, and statutory obligations. The role requires sound legal judgment, exceptional analytical capability, and the ability to interpret evolving legislation affecting the energy industry and public sector institutions. The successful candidate will work closely with internal departments, senior management, regulatory agencies, external counsel, and strategic partners to ensure legal risks are identified early and addressed through practical, compliant, and commercially sound solutions.
This position also contributes significantly to strengthening institutional governance by supporting policy formulation, reviewing legal frameworks, advising on compliance obligations, and ensuring business decisions align with applicable legislation and organizational objectives. The officer will oversee the preparation and review of legal documents while ensuring contracts, leases, memoranda of understanding, procurement agreements, financing arrangements, and other legal instruments adequately protect the Company's interests. In addition, the role will support insurance administration, debt recovery initiatives, litigation management, legal research, regulatory monitoring, and continuous improvement of legal processes that enhance operational efficiency and accountability.
The ideal candidate is a highly organized legal practitioner with extensive experience handling complex legal assignments within large organizations. The role demands outstanding communication skills, strategic negotiation capability, professional integrity, leadership competence, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining confidentiality and high ethical standards. This permanent and pensionable position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to Kenya's sustainable energy development while building a rewarding long-term career in one of the country's leading geothermal organizations.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high-level legal advice to management on complex commercial, corporate, regulatory, governance, employment, procurement, and operational matters affecting the organization.
- Review complicated legal disputes and evaluate organizational exposure before recommending appropriate legal strategies and mitigation measures.
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize contracts, commercial agreements, leases, memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements, and other legally binding documents.
- Ensure every legal instrument executed by the organization adequately protects corporate interests and complies with applicable legislation.
- Support litigation management by coordinating with external advocates, preparing legal documentation, reviewing pleadings, and monitoring court proceedings.
- Interpret statutes, judicial decisions, government directives, and emerging legal developments affecting the organization.
- Conduct comprehensive legal research to support strategic decision-making and organizational compliance initiatives.
- Participate in the formulation, review, and implementation of internal legal policies, governance frameworks, and compliance procedures.
- Advise management on regulatory obligations while promoting adherence to statutory and constitutional requirements.
- Coordinate legal aspects of insurance administration and recommend cost-effective approaches for managing organizational risk.
- Lead debt recovery initiatives involving former employees and other outstanding financial obligations through lawful recovery mechanisms.
- Monitor changes in legislation and recommend operational adjustments required to maintain full compliance.
- Prepare legal opinions, advisory reports, management briefs, and governance papers for executive decision-making.
- Represent the organization during legal consultations, negotiations, stakeholder engagements, and regulatory meetings whenever required.
- Promote ethical governance, accountability, transparency, and best legal practices throughout the organization.
- Mentor junior legal officers by providing technical guidance, professional coaching, and quality assurance on legal assignments.
- Strengthen relationships with regulatory authorities, government institutions, professional bodies, and external legal practitioners.
- Support dispute prevention through proactive legal risk assessments and continuous review of organizational processes.
- Ensure legal records, contracts, confidential documents, and case files are securely maintained according to established standards.
- Perform additional legal and governance assignments that support departmental objectives and the strategic priorities of the organization.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Master's Degree in Law or another relevant discipline from a recognized institution.
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized university.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies from the Council of Legal Education.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
- Valid membership with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
- Membership with the Institute of Certified Secretaries (ICPSK).
- Supervisory course lasting not less than two weeks from a recognized institution.
- Proficiency in computer applications.
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya.
How to Apply
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit a comprehensive application consisting of an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), a detailed cover letter, copies of academic and professional certificates, Proof of Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, evidence of valid membership with the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies, certificate for the required supervisory course, and any other relevant supporting documentation. Shortlisted applicants will be expected to provide valid clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority (Tax Compliance Certificate), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Certificate of Good Conduct), Higher Education Loans Board (where applicable), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Self-Declaration Form), and an accredited Credit Reference Bureau. Only candidates who satisfy all stated requirements will be considered. Applications should be submitted before the stated closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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