Legal Counsel

Job Purpose

Key Roles & Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of the Department's strategy, as well as annual business plans.
• Contribute to the development of the Department's policies and procedures, in line with the overall business objectives of the University, ensuring they promote leading practices and excellence.
• Contribute to the development and management of the Department’s budgets and report back on a timely basis to ensure that divergences are addressed promptly.
• Monitor Academic Partner contractual KPIs and obligations in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct regular reviews of contract performance to identify deviations, breaches, or emerging compliance issues.
• Review contractual deviations and coordinate corrective action plans, ensuring timely implementation and closure.
• Maintain an up-to-date register of contracts, KPIs, amendments, variations, key terms, and milestones.
• Ensure AP arrangements comply with institutional policies, regulatory frameworks, and applicable laws.
• Prepare and maintain documentation and evidence to support internal and external audits and compliance reviews.
• Interpret contractual clauses and provide guidance to internal stakeholders on rights, obligations, and compliance requirements.
• Identify legal and contractual risks associated with AP agreements and escalate significant issues to the Executive Director.
• Prepare risk assessments, case summaries, and recommended actions for management consideration.
• Coordinate with legal teams on contractual clarifications, amendments, dispute resolution, and enforcement actions.
• Review and support drafting of legal correspondence related to contracts (notices, clarifications, variation letters).
• Contribute to the development and periodic update of contract-related policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Adhere to the University's information security and confidentiality policies and procedures, and report breaches or other security risks accordingly
• Coordinate with other departments to facilitate the accomplishment of tasks and responsibilities, as and when needed.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment and practice to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Line Manager.
• Provide coaching, guidance and mentoring as required to enhance the internal capabilities of the team and ensure the achievement of established objectives and plans.
• Recommend appropriate training courses as per the pre-determined training needs, evaluate their effectiveness, and monitor their results.
• Carry out performance appraisals for subordinates according to planned schedules and recommend necessary actions as per the applied practices.
• Conduct periodic meetings with subordinates to ensure that priorities are clear and workflow is running smoothly.
• Follow-up on employees' administrative affairs such as vacations, leaves and other administrative and related affairs.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Business Administration, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
• Finance Certification or excellent knowledge with Legal methodologies and tools
• Adaptability, proactivity, willingness to take on additional responsibilities; skilled in relationship building and teamwork.
• A minimum 12 years of experience