Apply for Legal Officer job at Electricity Regulatory Authority

Organisation: Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) is a statutory body established in accordance with the Electricity Act, 1999 (Cap. 145 of the Laws of Uganda). The Act empowers ERA to regulate the Generation, Transmission, Sale, Export, Import and Distribution of electrical energy in Uganda.

Job Summary: The Legal Officer – Licensing will be responsible for the following:

·         Review and process licence and permit applications and documentation.

·         The incumbent will carry out due diligence of licence and permitapplications to ascertain the validity of their legal documentation.

·         Draft license and permit documentation in line with the Authority’s licensing terms and conditions, guidelines, procedures and practices.

·         Draft, review and process contracts in line with procedures and practices applicable to the Authority.

·         Actively monitor and liaise with the licence and permit applicants to ensure completeness of documentation submitted for permit and licenceapplications.

·         Technically support the formulation of licensing policy and procedures for the regulation of the Electricity Supply Industry.

·         Serve as the primary focal point of drafting, coordinating and dispensing of all statutory and licensing notices, complaints, directives, modifications and amendments.

·         Draft and review all contracts and agreements to which ERA is a party.

·         Routinely review and carry out due diligence on applications for permits and licences and advise and escalate issues of potential legal and regulatory nature related to the applications.

·         Work closely with other departments and support routine licensing and permit administration, management and processing through filing, record keeping, maintaining licensing and permit databases and other related tasks.

·         Conduct research and provide legal opinions, inputs and assessments on the review and interpretation of policies, laws, terms and conditions related to licensing and policy regulatory obligations in the electricity supply industry as need arises.

·         Co-ordinate and support the work and activities of the Licensing and Projects task team in regard to new and existing projects/applications.

·         Routinely review existing and new licences for appropriateness and compliance with conditions and related obligations.

·         Develop, maintain and update databases on status of licence and permitapplications and related filings and records.

·         Responsible for the renewal of existing licences, permits and contracts in a timely manner prior to expiration.

·         Handle requests for legal support and advice from other departments related to licensing and contract management.

·         Regularly review, interpret, assess, compose and negotiate contracts and legal documents effectively with all internal and external national and international parties.

·         Offer support to the management of Public Hearings.

·         Actively monitor developments in legal, regulatory, public private partnerships, business laws and policies that relate to the Electricity Supply Industry.

·         Perform any other related and incidental duties as may be reasonably assigned.

·         The applicant should hold an honour’s degree in Law (LLB).

·         Possession of a Diploma in legal practice from the Law Development Centre.

·         The incumbent must be an enrolled Advocate of the High Court of Uganda with a valid practicing certificate.

·         Hold professional qualification like ICSA and Masters in Law will be an added advantage.

·         A minimum of three (3) years of relevant post-enrollment working experience in a busy law firm, reputable organization, government/regulatory agency.

·         Working knowledge about the Electricity Supply Industry in Uganda or a similar regulated sector.

·         Ability to multitask, prioritize tasks, goals and objectives and work in a fast- paced environment.

·         Computer literacy i.e. Proficiency in relevant computer packages such asMicrosoft Word and Outlook.

·         Excellent analytical skills and ability to pay attention to detail.

·         Excellent interpersonal, organizational, problem solving and communication skills.

·         Strong drafting, writing and proof reading skills.

·         Result oriented and a team player with a high degree of professionalism.

·         Age: Between 25 – 35 years.

All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their application letters, detailed Curriculum Vita and relevant certificates including daytime telephone number or e-mail address of the applicant and addresses (including daytime telephone number or e-mail address) of three professional referees.

The applications should be delivered preferably by recorded delivery, addressed to:

The Director Financial and Administrative Services,

Electricity Regulatory Authority Plot 15, Shimoni Road,

P. O. Box 10332, Kampala – Uganda