Senior Science Officer- Legal

Job Description

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the laws governing public
• bodies, including the UNCST Act, Public Finance Management Act, Public Procurement and Disposal
• of Public Assets Act, Employment Act, Data Protection and Privacy Act, and related statutes and
• regulations.
• 2. Working knowledge of international legal instruments relevant to science and technology, including the
• Convention on Biological Diversity, the Nagoya Protocol, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and
• intellectual property conventions.
• 3. Advanced skill in legal drafting — contracts, agreements, legal opinions, pleadings, bills, regulations, and
• guidelines — with precision and clarity.
• 4. Strong legal research and analytical skills, including the use of electronic legal databases and research
• tools.
• 5. Competence in litigation management, arbitration, mediation, and other dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Ability to identify, assess, and advise on legal and compliance risk, and to design practical mitigation
• measures.
• 7. Sound understanding of corporate governance, board procedure, fiduciary duties, and statutory recordkeeping.
• 8. Competence in standard ICT applications (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, legal and
• records management systems).
• Unimpeachable integrity, professional ethics, and adherence to the advocate's duty of confidentiality.
• 10. Sound judgement, objectivity, and the courage to give candid legal advice, including where it is
• unwelcome.
• 11. Strong negotiation, persuasion, and advocacy skills.
• 12. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal issues into
• clear guidance for non-legal audiences.
• 13. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, including with government ministries, the
• Attorney General's Chambers, development partners, and the courts.
• 14. Leadership, supervisory, and mentoring ability.
• 15. Attention to detail, accuracy, and thoroughness.
• 16. Resilience and composure under pressure, including in contested and adversarial settings.
• 17. Results orientation, ability to work under minimal supervision, and effective time and workload
• management.
• 18. Team player with a flexible attitude and commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal advice and opinions to the Executive Secretary, Management, and the Governing
• Council on matters affecting the Council's mandate, operations, and decisions.
• 2. Interpret and advise on the application of the UNCST Act, subsidiary regulations, and other national and
• international laws, treaties, and protocols governing science, technology, and innovation.
• 3. Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, memoranda of understanding, grant agreements,
• service agreements, material transfer agreements, and other legal instruments to which the Council is party,
• ensuring the Council's interests are protected.
• 4. Conduct legal research and prepare position papers, legal briefs, and advisories on emerging legal issues in
• science, technology, innovation, biosafety, bioethics, intellectual property, data protection, and access and
• benefit sharing.
• 5. Spearhead the development, review, and reform of the Council's legal and regulatory framework, including
• drafting bills, regulations, guidelines, and policy instruments, and supporting their passage through the
• relevant government processes.
• 6. Ensure the Council's compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and governance obligations,
• including public procurement, employment, data protection, and public finance management laws.
• 7. Manage litigation and dispute resolution involving the Council, including instructing and liaising with the
• Attorney General's Chambers and external counsel, coordinating case files, and monitoring case progress
• and outcomes.
• 8. Represent the Council, as authorized, before courts, tribunals, arbitration panels, regulatory bodies, and in
• negotiations with third parties.
• 9. Establish and maintain a legal risk register, identify legal and compliance risks across Council operations,
• and recommend mitigation measures to Management.
• 10. Provide legal support to the Council's regulatory functions — including research clearance, biosafety,
• access and benefit sharing, and technology transfer — to ensure decisions are legally sound and enforceable.
• 11. Provide legal counsel on human resource and administrative matters, including disciplinary proceedings,
• employment contracts, and staff grievances, ensuring due process and adherence to the law.
• 12. Serve as Secretary or legal adviser to Council and Management committees as assigned, ensuring proper
• record-keeping, and advise on corporate governance, fiduciary duties, and conflict of interest management.
• 13. Maintain custody of the Council's legal documents, contracts, title deeds, seals, and statutory registers, and
• maintain a comprehensive contracts and legal instruments database.
• 14. Advise on the protection, registration, and management of the Council's intellectual property and that
• arising from research and innovation activities it supports.
• 15. Build legal awareness and capacity across the Council through briefings, training, and guidance notes on
• legal obligations and risk avoidance.
• 16. Supervise, mentor, and appraise assigned staff, and coordinate the work of the legal function, including
• consultants and external service providers.
• 17. Prepare periodic legal reports, compliance statements, and analytical summaries for Management, the
• Governing Council, and oversight bodies.
• 18. Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.