SENIOR ASSOCIATE -LEGAL (INTERNAL ADVERT ONLY)

THE ORGANIZATION The Alliance of Bioversity International (www.bioversityinternational.org) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) (www.ciat.cgiar.org) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crisis of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people in a climate crisis.


      POSITION

The Alliance is seeking to recruit a qualified and competent Senior Legal Associate to be based at the Africa Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala Office, Uganda. The position will be part of the Global legal team and will work very closely with the Managing Director for Africa, the Support offices in Africa, such as Human Resources & Organizational Development, Business Operations and Finance, Strategic Partnerships, Engagement and Communications. This position also provides legal services to the research areas and their leaders on legal and compliance issues in the region.

The Senior Legal Associate will advise on regional perspectives on labor laws, contractual matters, risk management, insurance, international public law, international business law, public law, taxes, civil law, business law, political context and other relevant matters that will help the region to have a timely and accurate response to its needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General Responsibilities for this position will include:

  1.    Working closely with the Legal Team, provide legal expertise and support specific to Africa in diverse fields including              Regional Risk Assessment, Labor Laws Review, Tax Laws Review, Insurances, Contracts Review, Intellectual                         Property, Public International Law, Organizational and Corporate Law management

Specific duties:

  • Draft and revise agreements (grant agreements with donors, sub-agreements with Partners, Material Transfer Agreements, Licensing Agreements, etc.).
  • Negotiate terms and conditions of the agreements with donors, partners and other institutions.
  • Monitor finalization, submission and return of completed contracts, appropriate follow-ups and archiving of all research and other institutional agreements for the Region that are reviewed only by the Legal Office and ensuring all agreements are uploaded in the legal tool.
  • Provide advice and guidance to staff members in Africa in order to build capacity, leverage knowledge and ensure effective and consistent management and provision of legal services including Intellectual Property.
  • Keep abreast with legal and policy developments at national, regional and international level and provide updates and advice on such developments in law that are of relevance.
  • Assist in the development/review of Alliance Policies and/or Guidelines related to the Legal Office.
  • Manage the Africa insurance program and coordinate with the operations to ensure the insurance is needed according to the risk matrix.

2. Drafting, reviewing and negotiating various contracts and providing internal legal advice to other teams while adhering to The Alliance internal policies, national and international laws.

Specific duties:

  • Assist in drafting, revising and reviewing the following corporate documents:
  • Partner agreements and contracts (MOU, LOA, MOA)
  • Procurement agreements and service provider contracts.
  • Request for proposals.
  • Service level agreements.
  • Review and update all labor contracts (ensuring all statutory provisions in each country are captured adequately)
  • Assist in legal research and preparation of legal opinions.
  • Assist in drafting, reviewing and implementation of Policies and Guidelines.
  • Assist in legal risk analysis and follow up in the implementation of the mitigation plan with the owner of each risk.
  • Assist in following up on Audit Recommendations in the Region.
  • Provide litigation and case support assistance to the Global Legal Office within the Africa Region.
  • Manage the insurance program in coordination with Africa Finance and Operations.

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

Kenya Applicants

  • Master of Laws (ML.B) Degree from a recognized university
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law
  • Admission to the Bar
  • Member of the Law Society of Kenya
  • Specialization certificate
  • Have at least five years post-admission experience in legal practice in a busy environment, preferably in an international non-profit organization
  • Demonstrate good grasp of relevant laws including but not limited to Laws governing International non-profit organizations, IP Law and related International Laws and Treaties, Labor Laws, Business Law, Tax Laws and Corporate Governance

Uganda Applicants

  • Master of Laws (ML.B) Degree from a recognized university approved by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre
  • Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Enrollment as an Advocate on the Roll of Advocates (High Court of Uganda)
  • Valid Practicing Certificate issued annually by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Have at least five years’ post-admission experience in legal practice in a busy environment, preferably in an international non-profit organization
  • Demonstrate good grasp of relevant laws including but not limited to Laws governing International non-profit organizations, IP Law and related International Laws and Treaties, Labor Laws, Business Law, Tax Laws and Corporate Governance

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

  • Possess excellent communication, research, presentation and analysis skills.
  • Proactive and self-motivated individual able to work with minimum supervision.
  • Client oriented

APPLICATIONS

Applicants are invited to visit http://ciat.cgiar.org/ciat-jobs to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number RFP 301219-Senior Associate -Legal as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s lastname, firstname for ease of sorting.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts


Applications closing date: 22nd April, 2026

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org



Requirements

REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

Kenya Applicants

  • Master of Laws (ML.B) Degree from a recognized university
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law
  • Admission to the Bar
  • Member of the Law Society of Kenya
  • Specialization certificate
  • Have at least five years post-admission experience in legal practice in a busy environment, preferably in an international non-profit organization
  • Demonstrate good grasp of relevant laws including but not limited to Laws governing International non-profit organizations, IP Law and related International Laws and Treaties, Labor Laws, Business Law, Tax Laws and Corporate Governance

Uganda Applicants

  • Master of Laws (ML.B) Degree from a recognized university approved by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre
  • Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Enrollment as an Advocate on the Roll of Advocates (High Court of Uganda)
  • Valid Practicing Certificate issued annually by the Law Council of Uganda
  • Have at least five years’ post-admission experience in legal practice in a busy environment, preferably in an international non-profit organization
  • Demonstrate good grasp of relevant laws including but not limited to Laws governing International non-profit organizations, IP Law and related International Laws and Treaties, Labor Laws, Business Law, Tax Laws and Corporate Governance

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

  • Possess excellent communication, research, presentation and analysis skills.
  • Proactive and self-motivated individual able to work with minimum supervision.
  • Client oriented


At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.