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Job Title:  Principal Legal Officer – Litigation  

Organisation: Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited (UETCL)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Manager

About US:

Uganda Electricity Transmission Company limited (UETCL) is responsible for bulk purchase of electricity from the generating companies and selling it in bulk to the distribution companies throughout Uganda. UETCL is also responsible for exports and imports of electricity to Uganda. Our vision is: “To Become a leading strategic business partner in the transmission and Single Buyer Business and to support sustainable energy development in Uganda.”

Job Summary:  The position is located at Head Office and reports to the Manager, Corporate Services and its primary purpose is effective representation in courts of law, provision of legal advice and management of litigation risk of the company. This will involve review and assembling relevant documentation, prepare witness and materials for case preparation, review and approve pleadings, organizing exhibits, court filings, prepare for and attend trials and providing legal protection and risk management advice on Litigation. The primary purpose is to represent the organization in courts of law, provision of legal advice and management of litigation risk of the company.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Representing the Company in courts of Law and litigation management Appearing in Court as required and instructing counsel when they are briefed to advise and appear.

• Ensure that all litigation matters are updated; Court diaries are centralized and updated, weekly cause lists are availed to the Manager Corporate Services.
• Ensure that each file has a Legal brief detailing the facts, merits and strategy of the case.
• Ensure adequacy of information on all litigation files; all litigation files should be clearly marked indicating the Court, the Court file number and all pleadings should be securely filed.
• Manage Alternative Dispute Resolutions like mediation, arbitration and/or conciliation of all matters.
• Quarterly progress report on litigation cases including number of cases concluded (won and lost)
• Prepare witnesses and materials for court.
• Review and approve pleadings.
• Prepare case briefs and court updates for Head Corporate services.
• Timely court filings submitted; including preparation and filing all court documents
• Ensure that no case lost due to lack of representation or failure to file relevant documents to court.
• Evaluate and determine which cases should be outsourced.
• Review and follow up invoices for outsourced cases.
• Prepare a shortlist of firms for outsourcing.
• Manage and periodically review performance of external Counsel.

Legal risk management. Identification, assessment and management of the Company’s litigation risk

• Provide quarterly reports to the Manager Corporate Services on the potential litigation risks and recommended risk management strategies to mitigate the risks.
• Legal advice provided on ongoing litigation cases and prevention of litigation.
• Advise management on likelihood of success of cases
• Case register developed and updated on identified legal risks in various departments with mitigation measures proposed and implemented.
• Contract management of contracts within the section.
• Sensitization of staff on litigation legal risks.

Legal advisory Services; Prepare comprehensive legal opinions and advise management.

• Prepare Legal opinions on the merits/demerits/strategy of litigation in each case and the proposed way forward.
• Annually review the template for employment contracts which shall be used by the Human Resources Department for compliance with the applicable laws and Human Resources manual before execution.
• Review of policies for compliance with the applicable laws.
• Upon request express Legal opinions to the HR department on any disciplinary case advising the HR department on the Legal rights and duties of the Company and the employee.
• Land transaction advisory.
• Attend internal and external meetings as advisor

Management of litigation information.

• Case database established and updated
• Monthly and quarterly reports on litigation activities prepared and submit to the Head Corporate.
• Report on Legal information interpreted and disseminate to staff.
• Responding to audit reports and litigation and implementing agreed recommendations
• Develop case monitoring tools

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal applicant must hold a Degree in Law from a recognised University.
• Hold a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Must be an advocate of the High Court of Uganda with a valid practicing certificate.
• At least 10 -12 years working experience in litigation 5 of which in a senior position with a reputable organisation.
• Training in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) will be an added advantage.
• Post graduate training in management will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in handling litigation issues/matters.
• Experience in land matters will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated working experience in litigation related to land and contract issues.
• Experience in contractual dispute resolution or representation in arbitration proceedings.
• Demonstrate experience ADR
• Ability to work as part of a team and to develop subordinates.
• Excellent interpersonal, particularly staff/management relations, oral and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to work and produce accurate results in an environment with multiple and challenging tasks.
• High level of integrity.

How to Apply:

All Interested persons should send their applications to: Click Here to Apply

• Only electronically sent applications will be accepted.
• Documents should be sent in a single PDF or MS. Word Document. No other format will be accepted.
• Applicants MUST submit copies of their academic documents.

Deadline: 18^th April 2022 

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