CONSULTANCY FOR COMPANY SECRETARY SERVICES

1. Introduction

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is the continent’s premier research institution and think tank, exploring questions of population health and wellbeing. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and with a West Africa Regional Office (WARO) in Dakar, Senegal, the Center seeks to drive change with evidence led by a growing cadre of research leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa. APHRC conducts policy-relevant research on population, health, education, urbanization and related development issues in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Center wishes to engage the services of a Company Secretary, on a consultancy basis, to manage and coordinate its Board affairs. He or she is expected to operate in line with the Center’s board charter and other relevant governance instruments. The Company Secretary shall report directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors but administratively to the Executive Director. The appointment will initially be for a one-year term with potential for renewal.

2. Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities are given below:

     Board Functions

1. Assessing and advising on corporate governance best practices and structures, updating the Board on pertinent issues and emerging trends;
2. guiding the Board in ensuring compliance with established procedures and good governance practice;
3. preparing and ensuring implementation of Board and Committee annual work plans;
4. organizing all Board meetings, ensuring accuracy of the record of Board deliberations and following up on implementation of Board decisions and recommendations;
5. coordinating recruitment and induction of new Board members;
6. conducting Board assessments as necessary;
7. ensuring that governance instruments are regularly updated in line with good governance practice and emerging trends;
8. advising the Board and management on emerging governance, legal and regulatory issues.

The above are considered routine Board functions. The Company Secretary will in addition be expected to coordinate the implementation of recommendations from a recently concluded Board and governance assessment.

     Regulatory Compliance Functions

1. Assessing and ensuring compliance with The Kenya Companies’ Act 2015 including preparing and ensuring timely filing of statutory returns with the registrar of companies.
2. Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance and the management of legal risks for APHRC.
3. Updating of statutory registers.

3. Qualifications and Competencies

The consultant must hold the following minimum qualifications:

• Member of the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) in good standing
• An advocate of the High Court with at least 10 years’ experience
• Member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) with a current practicing certificate
• An advocate with experience in corporate and commercial law

Additionally, he/she must have:

• Good analytical and numeracy skills
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Good communication/presentation skills
• Commercial awareness
• High integrity/ethics
• Ability to meet tight deadlines
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Discretion and diplomacy

4. Duration

The consultant is expected to commit 40-50 days in one year for this work.

5. Application documents

Required Documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2. 3 referrals/recommendation letters from non-family related referees; and
3. Copies of Degree Certificates, Police Clearance Certificate and Identity Card.

If you meet the criteria above and are interested in this exciting opportunity, please email consultancies@aphrc.org and a copy to procurement@aphrc.org with the subject: Company Secretary Services 2021.  APHRC will contact the shortlisted candidates only.

Your application should reach us by 24 March 2021. Late applications will not be considered.

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons.