Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) is a non-profit organization that combats urban poverty and gender inequity. The Contracts & Compliance Officer is responsible for managing the legal lifecycle of contracts and ensuring organizational compliance. This role involves drafting complex legal documents, advising on donor-funded grant requirements, and mitigating legal risks to protect the organization's reputation and operational integrity.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Drafting, Review, and Negotiation
Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements including vendor agreements, consultancy contracts, partnership agreements, MOUs, NDAs, and service contracts.
Ensure all agreements are legally sound, aligned with SHOFCO policies, and compliant with applicable laws in Kenya and other jurisdictions.
Identify contractual risks and provide practical recommendations to mitigate financial, legal, and reputational exposure.
Maintain and improve standard contract templates to support efficient and consistent contracting across the organization.
Donor and Grant Agreements
Review and support negotiation of donor funding agreements, grant agreements, sub-grant agreements, and consortium or partnership agreements.
Advise internal teams on donor contractual obligations, including compliance requirements, reporting, intellectual property provisions, and audit rights.
Support the Grants, Finance, and Program teams in interpreting donor terms.
Assist in structuring agreements with downstream partners or community-based organizations to ensure appropriate risk allocation.
Legal Advisory to Programs and Operations
Provide timely legal advice to SHOFCO program, operations, procurement, and finance teams on contractual and operational matters.
Participate in program design and partnership discussions to address legal considerations early.
Support staff in understanding contractual obligations and approval processes.
Contract Management and Documentation
Support the maintenance of SHOFCO’s contract management systems and processes.
Monitor contract timelines, key obligations, and renewal dates to support compliance and operational continuity.
Ensure proper documentation and legal review for high-value or high-risk agreements.
Legal Compliance and Risk Management
Monitor legal and regulatory developments affecting SHOFCO’s operations (e.g., PBO Act) and advise stakeholders.
Identify legal risks related to partnerships and procurement and recommend mitigation strategies.
Support the implementation of legal and compliance policies, including business licenses and statutory filings.
Dispute Prevention and Resolution
Assist in managing contractual disputes, breach of contract issues, or claims involving vendors or partners.
Coordinate with external legal counsel as required and support preparation of legal documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with the General Counsel and collaborate across Programs, Finance, Procurement, and HR teams.
Provide training to staff on contracting processes, legal risk awareness, and donor compliance.
Qualifications and Experience
Law degree (LLB required).
Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
5–8 years of experience in contract law, commercial law, or nonprofit legal work.
Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) in good standing.
Admission as a Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public is preferred.
Solid understanding of contract law and relevant regulatory frameworks in Kenya.
Familiarity with nonprofit, procurement, labor, and regulatory compliance (particularly PBOs).
Strong analytical and drafting skills.
How to Apply
All interested applicants should send their application with a detailed cover letter and CV to recruitment@shininghopeforcommunities.org with the job position “Contracts & Compliance Officer” in the subject line. Applications should reach us no later than 10th April 2026.
How to Apply
All interested applicants should send their application with a detailed cover letter and CV to recruitment@shininghopeforcommunities.org with the job position “Contracts & Compliance Officer” in the subject line. Applications should reach us no later than 10th April 2026.
