Role Purpose
Reporting to Director-Legal Services and Board Secretary, the successful candidate will be responsible for planning, organising and managing the Council’s legal services to ensure the efficient provision of legal and Board secretarial services to the Council.
Key Performance Areas
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Quality of legal advice resulting in minimal litigation against Council activities.
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Compliance with good corporate governance and business practices.
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Cost effective provision of legal services.
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Security and availability of legal documentation including contracts, correspondence etc.
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Timely delivery and availability of legal documents and advice.
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Timely availability of Board packs.
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Efficient Board meetings and accurate Board minutes and actions.
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Compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, policies, and procedures.
The main duties include but are not limited to:
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Manage and coordinate the day-to-day legal affairs of the Council.
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Develop and review the Council policies and standards to ensure they comply with applicable legislation and regulations.
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Provide effective and appropriate advice in support of the Council’s decision-making process.
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Contribute to the promotion of governance, ethics, and integrity in all of the Council’s dealings.
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Contribute to the development and implementation of the departmental strategy and plans. Monitor international developments on corporate governance and bring these to the Director and other management’s attention where they would add value.
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Draft the schedule of Board and committee meetings for the year in conjunction with the Director.
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Ensure that information is dispatched timeously to all Board Members to enable them to prepare adequately for these meetings.
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Draft Board and Committee meetings minutes and actions as needed and ensure that following review and approval they are distributed as soon as possible thereafter to aid directors in implementing Board decisions.
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Ensure that the Board’s instructions are communicated to the relevant persons in the Council and that pertinent issues from management are referred to the Board where appropriate.
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Assist the Director in formulating priorities in the Board agenda for consideration by the Board.
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Prepare the induction process of new Board members, encompassing their duties and responsibilities in general and specific matters pertaining to the Council itself and the professional and ethical sector.
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Prepare information packs relating to the Council’s mandate for Board members.
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Identify training requirements for Board members and prepare an ongoing programme to keep them well informed of developments in the Council and in respect of matters relevant to their responsibilities generally.
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Support Directors and management in ensuring they operate within an authority framework approved by the Board and reviewed and updated from time to time.
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Ensure that statutory deadlines are met, and that the statutory and regulatory disclosures are validated, particularly in relation to statements given on corporate governance standards and practices in the Council.
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Draw attention to the Director to identify areas of advice for the Board and management on issues of compliance with the Act.
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Contribute to advise given to Board Members in corporate governance and legal affairs.
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Manage the day-to-day safe custody of all contracts and agreements.
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Support the Council management and staff in ensuring that that governance rules, regulations, procedures, code of conduct and relevant laws are complied with.
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Draft, maintain and update relevant legal documents including contracts for the procurement of goods, works and services and represent the Council in relevant contract negotiations.
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Support the Director in representing the Council in Ethics and Disciplinary Committee hearings and other legal matters.
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Ensure that the Council complies with relevant legislation in all disciplinary, compliance and legal matters.
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Keep up to date with relevant legal, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
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Provide impartial legal advice and support to the Board and management of the Council to safeguard and protect the rights and interests of the Council.
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Keep the Council informed of corporate legal responsibilities.
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Facilitate the review and input on legislation and regulations pertaining to professional and ethical regulatory sector.
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Assist the Director, legal Services legal matters pertaining to the Council, including affairs of ethics and standards compliance including investigation and disciplinary matters.
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Render professional legal advice to management for any proposed legal action to be initiated and/or defend the interests of the Council.
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Prepare legal briefs for the initiation of legal action.
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Maintain a system of filing, archiving, and securing the Council’s legal records and ensure only authorised personnel have access to such records.
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Manage the execution of outsourced work from sourcing of funds, invitation to tender and monitoring that Terms of References (ToRs) are met.
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Authorise departmental expenditure in accordance with financial policies, authorities, and budgets.
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Manage departmental recruitment, selection, performance management, learning and development, employee relations, talent development, staff welfare and succession planning.
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Ensure appropriate departmental risk management and internal controls are effectively implemented.
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Ensure all policies and contracts of the Council comply with applicable laws and regulations.
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Implement effective legal controls.
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Identify, to the extent possible, all significant legal risks to the Council and consider and establish, where appropriate, procedures to mitigate the impact of the risks.
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Liaise with key stakeholders on Council legal matters within delegated responsibilities.
Competencies
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Networking Skills.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Strong negotiation skills.
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Communication and impact.
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Legal technical skills.
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Research, legal analysis and advocacy skills.
Qualifications and Experience
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A Degree in Law and license to practice in the Courts of Botswana is required.
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Membership in good standing with the Law Society of Botswana is essential.
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A minimum of 8 years post qualification experience in a legal advisory and management role and at least 3 years’ experience in a Board Secretary role preferably in the education sector.
Interested candidates should submit their cover letter addressed to Manager Human Capital & Administration, detailed curriculum vitae (CV),certified copies of academic certificates and ID to:
| Closing Date: | 19th Jan 2024 |
| Apply to: | recruitment@botepco.org.bw |
| Email Subject: | Must be the position Applied for |
We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.