DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES (1 POST)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following posts:

DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES (1 POST) 

Registrar’s Department             

The Director will play a critical and leading role in establishing and heading a proactive Legal Services Section which is set to provide in-house professional legal assistance to the university; thereby minimising incidents of legal liability. Reporting to the Registrar, the incumbent will be responsible for handling, monitoring and advising the executive on all legal issues of the University, including attending to the Institution’s lawsuits, compliance matters and training staff on pertinent legal issues. Further, s/he will be expected to develop and/or review the University’s research and commercial agreements and contracts, partnerships and collaboration agreements, intellectual property registration and management protocols; and data protection protocols.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • A good Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognised University. Possession of a Masters Degree in Law or other relevant post graduate qualification will be an added advantage;
  • Registered Legal Practitioner with experience in handling legal matters as a practising Attorney-at-law or in a corporate environment;
  • Experience in, or understanding of the public sector and/or higher education environment is highly beneficial;
  • Excellent knowledge of litigation, judicial processes and legal drafting;
  • Proven success in providing legal guidance in the context of complex organizations and a deeply held commitment to, and belief in the value of Committee-driven collaborative decision-making;
  • Strong negotiation, arbitration and mediation skills and proven ability to communicate effectively at all levels;
  • High ethical standards with a strong commitment to legal ethics exhibited in knowledge and practice, and professional responsibility;
  • Exceptional analytical thinking, interpersonal and judgement skills;
  • Results oriented and ability to manage a heavy work load while paying attention to detail;
  • High level of honesty and integrity.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director, Legal Services, shall mainly be responsible for:

  • Providing expert and strategic legal advice to the University’s Executive and staff members on laws affecting the University with a view to promoting compliance;
  • Formulating and implementing Legal Risk Management Strategy for the University;
  • Drafting and reviewing collaboration and partnership agreements and contracts including service level agreements;
  • Analysing and reviewing the University’s legal agreements, documents, policies and procedures.
  • Litigation management through review of cases and tracking progress on various litigation cases;
  • Serve as the liaison person with external  University lawyers, corporate entities, government agencies and individuals over litigation, compliance and regulatory issues;
  • Providing and interpreting statutes and legal information governing the University to management and staff;
  • Keeping abreast  of relevant legal and regulatory developments, laws and government policies and providing timeous legal updates to the relevant sections of the University; and
  • Representing the University and its organs in Courts of law and other judicial and administrative tribunals like the Staff Disciplinary Committee and Student Disciplinary Committee.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Medical Aid, Leave and Pension Benefits are offered. The information on salary and other benefits will be made available to the short-listed candidates.  

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. Applicants must submit six (6) sets of applications which should include a curriculum vitae (giving full personal particulars of applicant including full name, place and date of birth, qualifications, employment and experience, present salary, telephone numbers and the names, addresses (including email) and telephone numbers of three contactable referees) and certified copies of certificates  addressed to:-

The Senior Assistant Registrar (Academic)

Human Resources Department              

National University of Science and Technology

P O Box AC 939

Ascot Bulawayo,   

ZIMBABWE

Tel. No.    263-29-282842/289435/289438/289456

Fax. No. 263-29-289057                                                                                                                                                    

The closing date for the receipt of the applications is Friday, 26 April 2019.

The National University of Science and Technology is an equal opportunities employer.  In the interest of promoting gender parity, female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.