Job Description

SENIOR ASSOCIATE -LEGAL ( EXTERNAL ADVERTSEMENT)

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: 8th May, 2026

Please note that email
applications will not be considered.

Only short listed

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.