In addressing issues linked to education and training for a competent legal profession in Kenya, both the pre and post-colonial governments have undertaken various initiatives and set up several commissions of inquiry to formulate appropriate policy. These include the establishment of The Kenya School of Law following recommendations by the Denning Committee (1962) to provide vocational legal training. In an attempt to streamline and re-organise the Kenya School of Law in the 1990s the Akiwumi Committee (1995) on the Status and Management of the Kenya School of Law was appointed. In 1998 the Kwach Committee on the Administration of Justice was similarly appointed to look into wider issues pertaining to the administration of justice. The recommendations of the Akiwumi Report culminated in the re-establishment of the Council of Legal Education under the Council of Legal Education Act, Cap 16A of the Laws of Kenya (now repealed). Although the Council of Legal Education was bestowed with legal personality, the Kenya School of Law was made its operational agent under the Act, thereby making the Council ineffectual. The operations of both the Council of Legal Education and the Kenya School of Law was thus intertwined and confused. To address the problems and confusion created by the Akiwumi Report, the Muigai-Ministerial Committee on the Development of a Policy and Legal Framework for Legal Education and Training in Kenya (2005) was appointed. The Muigai Committee undertook a comprehensive re-evaluation of legal education and training in Kenya and made recommendations to re-design and re-establish all legal institutions implementing legal policy in Kenya including the Council of Legal Education and the Kenya School of Law. The impetus for these recommendations was to institutionalize international best practice and segregate institutions carrying out regulatory cum supervisory functions from those carrying out training functions. In essence, policy formulation and oversight within the context of legal education was separated from policy consumption at the training level. The Muigai Report was officially launched by the then Minister of Justice & Constitutional Affairs, the Hon. Ms. Martha Karua, EGH, MP on 18th January, 2006. As part of the implementation of the Muigai Report, two Bills were prepared to re-establish the Kenya School of Law and Council of Legal Education as separate legal entities. The bills culminated in the enactment of the Kenya School of Law Act No.26 of 2012 and Legal Education Act No.27 of 2012. Council of Legal Education became operational in September 2012 but officially separated from the Kenya School of Law in January, 2014 and moved to its new premises in Karen Office Park along Langata Road.
Overall purpose of the job
Overall purpose of the job: Reporting to Council Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and coordination of the planning, financial management, human resource and administration functions of the Council.
Responsibilities
Provide direction in the management of the Finance, Planning and Administration Department;
Oversee the implementation of human resource, administration, finance and ICT policies, procedures and strategies;
c) Manage the Councils’ financial process;
Collate financial reporting for all donor segments, and oversee ad financial, project/programs and grants accounting;
Oversee a comprehensive recruitment, training and develop program fot professional development and a compensation and benefits structure;
Oversee ICT infrastructure and automation of systems and processes;
Formulate sound strategies for the development and utilization of the Council’s assets;
Lead the review, design and implement sound financial systems, policies and procedures to ensure efficiency and sustainability;
i ) Monitor budgeting and forecasting process to ensure alignment to the strategic plan and divisional work plans, as well as ensuring cömpiance with government policy;
Providing guidance on setting performance targets and development performance contracts for the Council;
Coordinating the implementation of the Council’s strategic plans and annual reports;
Ensure that Council ISO Certification is sustained;
Responsible for preparation of annual budgets and financial projections;
Ensure timely preparation of accurate Management Accounts and Financial Statements/ Reports;
Ensure maintenance and updating of the fixed assets register;
Responsible for compliance matters in regards to statutory requirements;
Liaise with external auditor to ensure effective implementation of audit recommendations; and
Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Secretary/CEO.
Qualifications and Skills
Degree in Finance, Accounting or Economics from a recognized university
Masters Degree in Finance or Economics from a recognized university (relevant MBA would be an added advantage);
Full professional qualification in CPA-K or ACCA;
A minimum of 8 years relevant working experience 4 of which should be at senior management level;
Excedent knowledge of Financial Management Systems and Reporting;
Excellent interpersonal, planning and organizational skills and a person of high integrity;
Strong analytical and communication skills;
Excellent Leadership skills;
Must be computer literate with emphasis on accounting packages;
Be of the highest ethical standards, integrity and professionalism and comply with the requirements of Chapter six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya. Candidates will be required to produce evidence of clearance by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Revenue Authority, Credit Reference Bureau and provide a Certificate of Good Conduct.
Basic Pay:
215,600 x 19,712 – 235,312 x 19,712 – 255,024 x 19,712 -274,736 x 19,712 294,448 x
19,712 – 314,160 per month
HOUSE ALLOWANCE: Kshs.60,OOO
COMMUTTER ALLOWANCE: Kshs. 14,000
Shortlisted candidates shall be required to provide evidence or clearance by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Revenue Authority (Tax Compliance Certificate), Police Clearance Certificate, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and Credit Reference Bureau (CRB) Certificate of Clearance.
