Senior Legal Officer

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Legal Officer
Department: Legal & Board Affairs
Reports To: Manager, Legal and Board Affairs
Location: Uganda National Airlines Company Limited (UNACL), Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda

Job Summary:
The Senior Legal Officer provides critical support to the Manager and Assistant Manager of Legal and Board Affairs in all daily legal and board-related matters. This includes drafting, reviewing, negotiating and managing contracts, conducting litigation support, handling legal research and advisory tasks, and ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory and corporate governance requirements across UNACL and its subsidiaries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support review, negotiation, and drafting of agreements between UNACL, suppliers, contractors, and joint venture partners.
• Assist in execution and implementation of contract terms, tracking deliverables, milestones, invoicing, and contract close‑out or renewal.
• Support allocation and management of contractual and regulatory risk in transactions.
• Prepare legal opinions and advisory notes on emerging issues.
• Develop and maintain contract inventories, trackers, and risk matrices.
• Monitor compliance with contracts and regulatory frameworks, and ensure internal policies are followed.
• Research legal and regulatory developments in Uganda and internationally, and advise on implications.
• Support corporate governance functions, including coordination of board and AGM operations.
• Prepare court documentation, assist in litigation management, and represent UNACL in hearings and legal proceedings.
• Coordinate with the Solicitor General’s office to obtain necessary approvals for contracts as required.
• Provide assistance with other assignments as directed by the Legal and Board Affairs team.

Financial Responsibility:

• Draft department budgets
• Implement cost saving initiatives for the department

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree (Hons) in law (LLB).
• A diploma in Legal Practice.
• A master’s degree in law, or proof of admission to pursue a master’s degree in any aviation related studies, commercial law, corporate law, project finance or Management will be an added advantage.
• Must have a valid practising certificate.

Knowledge & Experience:    

• The candidate must have two years’ experience in a busy corporate entity or law firm of high repute.
• Demonstrated experience in drafting, negotiation and dealing with contracts and compliance aspects.
• Excellent analytical, researching, and drafting skills. 
• Excellent judgment and ability to anticipate legal issues or risks.
• High level of integrity.
• Proven track record of outstanding performance, and ability to work under pressure as part of a team.
• Strong managerial skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills particularly to management/staff relations.

Core Competencies:

• Commercial Acumen
• Commercial law
• Contracting/Legal Drafting /Documentation
• Contract Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance Management 
• Legal Research and drafting 
• Litigation& Alternative Dispute Resolution.
• Negotiation & Influencing 
• Stakeholder Management 
• Knowledge of the aviation law and regulatory regime

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