DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Director of Legal Services provides strategic legal leadership and serves as the chief legal advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, Management, and Council. The role encompasses oversight of all legal, governance, regulatory, and contractual matters of the University.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Legal Leadership & Governance

• Advise the Vice-Chancellor, Management, and Council on legal, governance, and regulatory matters.
• Contribute to the formulation, review, and implementation of the University’s strategic plans, statutes, and governance frameworks.
• Ensure legal soundness and institutional integrity across University operations.

Legal Advisory, Drafting & Risk Management

• Provide legal advice across academic, administrative, financial, and commercial activities.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and vet contracts, agreements, and other legal instruments.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks affecting the University.

Regulatory Compliance & Institutional Assurance

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements, and standards.
• Monitor changes in legislation and advise Management on implications for University policies and operations.

Litigation, Dispute Resolution & External Representation

• Manage litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution matters involving the University.
• Liaise with external legal practitioners, courts, and regulatory bodies.
• Represent the University in legal and quasi-judicial proceedings when required.

Policy Interpretation & Institutional Support

• Provide legal interpretation of University statutes, policies, and procedures.
• Support Faculties, Directorates, and Units to ensure lawful and consistent decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement & Directorate Leadership

• Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and capacity development within the Legal Directorate.
• Promote professionalism, accountability, and ethical conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Minimum Academic and Professional Requirements

• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized and accredited institution.
• Qualification as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana, having successfully completed the Professional Law Course and enrolled with the General Legal Council.
• A Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from a recognized university.
• A minimum of ten (10) years post-call experience, with progressively responsible senior-level experience in legal practice, regulatory compliance, and institutional governance, preferably within a large and complex organisation.

Technical Knowledge & Professional Competence

• Strong expertise in corporate governance, labour and employment law, contract management, regulatory compliance, and institutional policy development.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret legislation, manage institutional legal risk, and provide strategic legal advice at senior management and governing council levels.
• Sound knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment governing tertiary institutions in Ghana.

Leadership & Personal Attributes

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• High ethical standards, professional integrity, and sound judgment.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and legal drafting skills.
• Decisiveness, creativity, diplomacy, resilience, and adaptability.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collegial skills necessary for engagement across diverse university constituencies.
• Proven leadership ability, discretion, emotional maturity, and the capacity to manage sensitive and complex legal matters within an institutional environment.