Senior Legal Advisor
Entity: Aga Khan University
Location: Karachi, Pakistan
Introduction:
Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents (www.aku.edu). An integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org), AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries and operates 7 hospitals (soon 8) and over 325 outreach clinics, all at international standards.
As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.
The position will be based in Karachi but may require the incumbent to travel to various campuses of the University as required by the General Counsel.
Responsibilities:
- Reporting to the General Counsel, you will have responsibility for management of the Legal Office in Pakistan and have oversight of other campuses in Kenya Tanzania and Uganda as well. Provide advice to the senior leadership and management on a wide range of strategic and legal matters and ensure that AKU’s assets, facilities, programs, intellectual property, research and publications are protected under applicable local and international laws as appropriate.
- Overseeing the University’s litigation portfolio, assessing legal risks and liability, and handling legal issues pertaining to institutional legal, accreditation and compliance status, including governance related matters across jurisdictions. You will also be responsible for the following:
- Providing legal opinions and advice on a range of legal issues.
- Overseeing pending cases before the courts including appearance in court hearings as required and assessing new cases and instructing external counsel.
- Attending and providing legal advice at internal and external meetings.
- Conducting legal research as needed and providing written analysis of findings or risks.
- Anticipating and acting proactively regarding legal issues in the University's operations.
- Working to improve existing internal procedures and processes and introducing best practices for service to the University constituencies.
- Advising management with respect to legal issues related to the development and implementation of its business strategy, governance and compliance policies, intellectual property issues, tax exempt status legislation, conflict of interest policies, corporate structure and related matters. Ensuring corporate filing requirements are observed for all entities falling under the general governance of AKU, as applicable.
- Preparing and reviewing contracts, agreements, leases, licenses, memoranda of understanding as required including those related to construction, research projects, clinical trials, financing.
- Developing and conducting training sessions for mentoring of legal and other staff on a wide range of topics including loan documentation, construction documents, etc. Determining and establishing such legal educational sessions that may benefit the Institution (medical malpractice, IP, etc.).
- Performing other duties as implicit in the mandate and/or as assigned.
Requirements:
You must have:
- Bachelor’s degree in law (JD, LLB, etc.). An advanced degree in Law and/or a specialized law certification would be an asset.
- License to practice law and be in good standing with home Bar Association/Council for at least 10 years.
- Minimum 10 years of law firm or in-house counsel experience with excellent drafting skills. Knowledge of construction law and related fields would be an asset.
- Knowledge of legal principles and practices, including civil, constitutional, criminal, contract, employment, administrative, property and business law and procedures.
- Be well versed with various methods, procedures and practices used in the conduct of civil litigation; judicial procedures; rules of evidence; and administrative codes.
- Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Highly developed leadership, communication skills and demonstrable capability in relationship building at all levels.
- Ability to act quickly to address a crisis situation, whether nationally or internationally, drawing on appropriate resources.
- Ability to adapt to new ideas and initiatives across a wide variety of issues or situations and demonstrates creativity.
- Strong self-management with a high level of energy, agility and flexibility.
- Must possess the highest level of professionalism, work ethic, discretion and integrity with the ability to maintain and protect confidential and sensitive information.
Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.
