Job description
Seeking ambitious and high performing leader
Summary
The legal profession operates in a knowledge based framework which places an enormous value on information. Our knowledge management team provides our lawyers with the information they need to advise with authority and ensures they have access to training programs to develop the skill set required from Africa’s leading law firm.
Job Description
Our Head of Knowledge Management is responsible for managing the Firm and its Affiliates’ knowledge strategy and developing policies and procedures to ensure best practice. They will lead a team of professionals to ensure that the information and training needs of the firm are met in a timely, effective and efficient manner.
Based in Nairobi, the successful candidate is expected to take the lead in encouraging lawyers to share knowledge, ensure they are aware of the knowledge management resources available to support their work, are appropriately trained through internal and external training programs and are using the systems efficiently and productively.
The position holder is a key member of the A&K Management team, and reports to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and also works closely with the Partners and the other support departments.
Key roles
Provide a strategic knowledge management (KM) and research service to the firm’s lawyers, appropriately tailored for each practice area and jurisdiction;
Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and KM within the firm and its affiliates based in Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Dubai;
Work closely with Africa Legal Network to disseminate knowledge and training materials across a network of law firms in Africa;
Develop the firm’s reputation for excellence in KM both externally and internally;
Drive forward the level of high-quality knowledge, information and standard documents contained within the firm’s KM database and ensure that they are continually updated, managed and improved;
Ensure the KM strategy is underpinned by appropriate technology-enabled solutions in the areas of KM, standard legal documentation and documentation management etc;
Monitor changes in relevant law and practice, updating lawyers where relevant, and ensure that the firm consults on draft legislation;
Oversee the preparation and delivery of legal briefings, articles and updates to our clients and for legal publications; and
Maintain oversight of the Firm’s library and ensure its resources therein are well managed and up to date.
Experience and personal qualities
Qualifications:
Qualified lawyer with international experience; a minimum of ten (10) years working experience is preferred;
Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential, including the ability to communicate effectively on a practical and academic level;
The drive, initiative and pro-activity to deliver in a wide ranging role;
Technologically aware and able to make the best possible use of available systems and IT;
Excellent team management skills; and
Passion and academic interest in the law.
The following personal qualities are preferred:
A degree of personal authority commanding respect, but with an open, participative and collaborative style combined with a ‘can do’ attitude, patience and humour;
A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently;
Ability to communicate and present effectively and persuasively, in person and in writing;
The ability to build and maintain highly effective working relationships with a range of people (both internally and externally);
A commitment to ALN’s mission and extremely strong ethical integrity;
Proven project management skills with the ability to obtain buy-in and support for projects from diverse stakeholders;
Experience developing compelling value propositions for services/campaigns and creating integrated issue based platforms;
Self-starter, able to work independently and enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives;
Flexible and able to operate in a diverse environment; andTechnology savvy including use of digital media and data analytics; solid understanding of how to use and apply such tools and data to benefit the partnership.
