Job Description

Reporting to the Company Secretary Safaricom Plc, the role holder will be responsible for ensuring that Safaricom Plc and its subsidiaries maintain high standards of corporate governance. He / She will be the repository of governance knowledge and advice, and the guardian of the proper compliance with both the law and best practice corporate governance, overseeing corporate integrity.

Responsibilities

Health and Safety

• Uphold the company code of conduct, policies, and procedures, ensuring integrity and accountability in all work.
• Adhere to safety, health, and wellbeing policies, guidelines, and procedures in all actions and decisions.

Governance & Legal Support

• Provide strategic legal advice and governance support to the Board, Board Subsidiaries, and senior leadership.
• Manage external counsel relationships and align legal strategies with business objectives for effective risk management.
• Advise on corporate transactions (M&As, joint ventures, restructuring) and risk management.
• Coordinate license renewals, registrations, and legal processes for business entities in the region.
• Manage entity maintenance, including incorporations, dissolutions, mergers, liquidations, and statutory records.
• Draft, review, and maintain board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and corporate documents.

Board & Committee Support

• Prepare for all Safaricom Plc Board, Subsidiary Boards, and Committee meetings, including drafting agendas and sending board and committee packs.
• Prepare and draft Board resolutions, minutes, proxy forms, capital votes, certified extracts, and documentation required for Annual General Meetings (AGMs).
• Ensure all documentation required under applicable legislation is kept up to date.
• Prepare and finalize all documentation required for AGMs.
• Maintain registers of present and past directors, shareholders, minute books, and statutory registers.
• Assist with appointments and resignations of directors, issuing of shares, changes of year-end, and registered office adjustments.
• Prepare and lodge statutory returns.
• File and record documents in physical and digital formats.
• Serve as the liaison with registries including Business Registration Services, Companies Registry, and Tribunals.
• Coordinate calendars and diaries between the main board and subsidiary boards.

Core Competencies, Knowledge and Experience

• Working with Others
• Operational Excellence
• Business Know-how
• Working with Change
• Project and Programme Management
• Negotiation
• Service Quality and Planning

Functional Competencies

Exceptional Organization Skills

• Highly organized, proactive, and able to multi-task to ensure smooth coordination of board and committee meetings and timely communication.

Governance & Technical Expertise

• Expert in corporate governance, company law, and NSE Listing Requirements, with strong technical competence.

Integrity

• Must demonstrate outstanding integrity due to the sensitivity of board and committee matters.

Commitment

• Must be committed to excellence and delivering high-quality work.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience (post-CPS qualification) in a busy corporate legal department, law firm, or certified secretarial practice.
• Certified Public Secretary CPS (K), registered with the Institute of Certified Secretaries, with a current practicing certificate.
• Bachelor of Law degree with a current practicing certificate.
• Solid understanding of corporate transactions (M&As, joint ventures, restructuring) and risk mitigation, with strong advisory skills in these areas.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance best practices with practical experience supporting boards and committees.
• Experience interacting with senior Board and Committee members.
• Experience leading or advising on corporate projects including M&As and restructuring.
• Experience organizing and coordinating committee, board, and general meetings; engaging stakeholders; and preparing minutes with minimal supervision.
• Thorough knowledge of NSE Listing Requirements, Companies Act, and Corporate Governance Codes.
• Experience analyzing constitutive documents (Memorandum and Articles of Association) and advising on amendments.
• Experience handling entity registration, capital increases, share transfers, director changes, mergers, acquisitions, restructuring, and drafting related documents.
• Experience in governance work including drafting Board Charters, governance documents, terms of reference, annual work plans, governance audits, Board training, and Board evaluations.
• Experience working with publicly listed entities is an added advantage.
• Strong interpersonal, oratory, and written communication skills, with the ability to work with diverse stakeholders.