Legal Officer I

The Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, is recruiting a Legal Officer I (KMFRI Grade 7, 1 post, reference KMF/EX/ADVT/LOI/9). Applications close on 30 November 2026 at 23:59 hrs (EAT).

Key facts

• Role: Legal Officer I
• Employer: Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)
• Reference: KMF/EX/ADVT/LOI/9
• Grade: KMFRI Grade 7
• Posts: 1 post
• Deadline: Monday, 30 November 2026, 11:59 pm EAT
• How to apply: careers.kmfri.go.ke (online only)

Duties and responsibilities

From the official advert:

• Providing legal advice to ensure the best legal approach is taken by the Institute
• Drafting contracts, agreements and other legal documents
• Undertaking research on different information to ensure the Institute is acting in accordance with all applicable laws
• Participating in preparing Board reports and minutes, and resolutions
• Assisting in managing the risk exposure of the Institute by ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory and regulatory requirements
• Working with external lawyers to initiate lawsuits or to formulate a defence, to gather evidence in legal proceedings involving the Institute and rendering general advice relating to any legal proceedings involving the Institute
• Keeping track and updates of the amendments and changes in legislations
• Assisting facilitating Board induction and development and implementation of the capacity building programmes
• Assisting in facilitating legal, compliance and governance audits
• Providing input in the development and implementation of the Board charters and the Code of Conduct and Ethics
• Providing input in the preparation and monitoring of the Departmental budgets and expenditures; and
• Providing Secretariat to the Senior Management Meeting and ensuring management decisions are converted to Board papers where applicable

Person specification

For appointment to this grade, the official advert requires:

• Cumulative service period of three (3) years’ relevant work experience, at the grade of Legal Officer II
• Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognized university
• Post graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law
• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a mean grade of C+ (Plus) or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution
• Admitted as an advocate of the High Court Kenya
• Member to the Law Society of Kenya
• Current Practicing Certificate
• Certified Public Secretary CPS (Part II) or its equivalent qualification from a recognized Institution
• Shown merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results
• Proficiency in computer applications
• Demonstrated results in work performance; and
• Fulfilment of the requirements of Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010

Remuneration

Figures below are taken from the official advert.

• Basic salary scale: KShs. 69,766 – KShs. 90,695 per month
• House allowance: KShs. 28,000 per month
• Commuter allowance: KShs. 7,000 per month
• Annual leave allowance: KShs. 10,000 per year
• Medical cover and other allowances: As provided by KMFRI

How to apply

Applications are accepted online only through the official KMFRI recruitment portal. Hard-copy applications will not be accepted. The detailed job descriptions, person specifications and other requirements are on the portal and in the official external advertisement PDF.

1. Read the full specification for this post in the official KMFRI external advertisement (PDF, 23 pages) or on careers.kmfri.go.ke.
2. Submit your application online through the KMFRI recruitment portal.
3. Applications must be received on or before 30 November 2026, 23:59 hrs (East Africa Time).

Successful candidates will be required to present originals of: a Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations; a HELB clearance or compliance certificate; a KRA tax compliance certificate; EACC clearance; and clearance from a recognised credit reference bureau. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an oral and practical interview and must produce originals of their national identity card and academic and professional certificates. Canvassing leads to automatic disqualification.

KMFRI is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from persons living with disability, women, youth and people from marginalized areas.

KMFRI has research centres and stations at Mombasa, Kisumu, Naivasha, Baringo, Kegati, Sangoro, Sagana, Turkana, Mutonga and Shimoni, a research substation at Gazi, and a Nairobi liaison office. The official advert does not assign this post to a single station.

Recruitment by public bodies in Kenya is free. These agencies do not charge a fee to apply, shortlist or offer a job. Nobody can sell you a slot. See how to spot fake job adverts.

Source: official KMFRI external advertisement, 10 November 2026, published on kmfri.go.ke/resources/careers and in the 23-page advert PDF. If anything here differs from the official advert, the official advert wins.