Job Description
The Research Officer provides analytical, research, and operational support to the Legal Officer to enhance the Institutes capacity for evidencebased legal decision-making, industrial relations management, and regulatory compliance.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>The role is designed to strengthen organisational effectiveness by:&nbsp;</div><div>Supporting legal advisory services through in-depth research and analysis&nbsp;</div><div>Enabling proactive risk identification and compliance monitoring&nbsp;</div><div>Enhancing industrial relations outcomes through data-driven insights&nbsp;</div><div>Improving efficiency in legal documentation, policy development, and case preparation&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This position contributes directly to the Legal Officers ability to fulfil their mandate of advising management, providing support to manage legal issues, and ensuring governance and compliance.&nbsp;</div>
Key and Critical Responsibilities
<ol><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ol><li><b>Legal Research and Knowledge Management&nbsp;</b><ol><ul><li>Conduct comprehensive research on legislation, case law, industrial relations precedents, and regulatory frameworks relevant to NIHERST operations&nbsp;</li><li>Prepare legal briefs, summaries, and comparative analyses to support timely decision-making&nbsp;</li><li>Maintain a centralised repository of legal research, opinions, and precedents&nbsp;</li><li>Monitor changes in laws and regulations and provide early alerts and impact assessments&nbsp;</li></ul></ol><div><b>2. Industrial Relations &amp; Employment Support&nbsp;</b></div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Support the Legal Officer in investigations, dispute preparation, and grievance analysis&nbsp;</span></li><li>Compile research and documentation for conciliation, mediation, and tribunal matters&nbsp;</li><li>Analyse trends in employee relations issues and recommend preventative interventions&nbsp;</li><li>Assist in preparing documentation for union engagements and IR negotiations&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br></div><div><b>3. Contract and Documentation Support&nbsp;</b></div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Assist in the review, drafting, and analysis of contracts, MOUs, and agreements&nbsp;</span></li><li>Conduct due diligence to ensure compliance with legal, procurement, and governance standards&nbsp;</li><li>Track and maintain contractual obligations, timelines, and renewal schedules&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Periodically review NIHERSTs standard form agreements</li></ul><div>&nbsp;</div><div><b>4. Governance, Compliance &amp; Risk Analysis&nbsp;</b></div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Support the development and review of policies, procedures, and governance frameworks specific to the specialized areas identified&nbsp;</span></li><li>Conduct research to identify legal and regulatory risks and to allow for the implementation of mitigation strategies&nbsp;</li><li>Assist with internal investigations and compliance audits&nbsp;</li><li>Contribute to ensuring adherence to statutory and corporate governance requirements&nbsp;</li><li>Create/design institutional policies in collaboration with other departments and committees&nbsp;</li></ul><div>&nbsp;</div><div><b>5. Litigation and Case Preparation Support&nbsp;</b></div><ul><li>Assist in compiling case files, evidence, and supporting documentation for legal proceedings&nbsp;</li><li>Conduct background research to support litigation strategy and case positioning&nbsp;</li><li>Maintain accurate records of legal cases and their status&nbsp;</li><li>Liaise with external stakeholders as delegated&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>6. Reporting, Analytics and Strategic Support</b>&nbsp;</div><ul><li>Prepare analytical reports and dashboards on legal matters, IR trends, and compliance activities&nbsp;</li><li>Support strategic projects by providing research insights and data interpretation&nbsp;</li><li>Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the legal function&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br></div><div><b>7. Administrative and Operational Support</b>&nbsp;</div><ul><li><span style="letter-spacing: 0.4px;">Maintain confidential legal files, databases, and knowledge systems&nbsp;</span></li><li>Provide logistical support for hearings, meetings, and official engagements&nbsp;</li></ul><div><br></div><div><b>8. Other Related Duties&nbsp;</b></div><ul><li>Perform other related duties aligned with the strategic objectives of the Office of the President&nbsp;</li></ul><div>&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div></li></ol></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ol>
Key Competencies
<div>Foundational experience or demonstrated interest in:&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><ul><li>Industrial Relations&nbsp;</li><li>Employment Law&nbsp;</li><li>Contract Law&nbsp;</li><li>Public Sector Governance&nbsp;</li><li>Experience in civil litigation in employment law, labour law and company law would be an asset&nbsp;</li></ul>