Senior Legal Officer / In-House Counsel
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology
Job Overview
Position: Senior Legal Officer / In-House Counsel
Employer: Uganda National Council for Science and Technology
Location: Plot 6, Kimera Road, Ntinda, Kampala
Number of vacancies: 1
Required experience: At least 10 years
Minimum qualification: Bachelor of Laws and postgraduate Legal Practice qualification
Salary: Not disclosed
Deadline: 13 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. EAT
Jobspace Uganda Vacancy Summary
The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology is recruiting an experienced legal professional to serve as Senior Legal Officer and In-House Counsel. This senior position will provide strategic legal guidance to management and the Council while establishing a dependable internal legal function covering contracts, governance, compliance, institutional risk and dispute resolution.
The opportunity is best suited to an advocate with extensive professional experience in an in-house, corporate, regulatory, public-sector or institutional environment. The successful candidate must be capable of translating complex legal requirements into practical advice that protects UNCST’s interests and supports its science, technology and innovation mandate.
About UNCST
The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology is a government agency mandated to develop and implement strategies for integrating science and technology into Uganda’s national development process.
Who Should Apply?
This position may be suitable for a legal professional who:
- Is eligible to practise law in Uganda.
- Has at least ten years of relevant professional legal experience.
- Has substantial experience in contract drafting and negotiation.
- Understands corporate governance, regulatory compliance and institutional risk.
- Can advise senior management and governing boards on complex legal matters.
- Has experience coordinating litigation, arbitration or other dispute-resolution processes.
- Can provide clear and practical advice to colleagues who are not legal professionals.
- Demonstrates integrity, confidentiality, sound judgement and strong leadership.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic legal advice to the Executive Secretary, management, the Council and relevant committees.
- Draft, review and negotiate contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, partnerships and other legal instruments.
- Conduct appropriate legal due diligence for major transactions and institutional partnerships.
- Advise departments on contractual obligations, liabilities, remedies and possible legal exposure.
- Develop and periodically review standard contracts, legal clauses and institutional legal documentation.
- Identify legal and regulatory risks and maintain an institutional legal-risk register.
- Monitor changes in legislation, regulations, policies and court decisions relevant to UNCST.
- Support the development and implementation of compliance policies and procedures.
- Provide legal support on corporate governance, statutory records, regulatory filings and Council resolutions.
- Coordinate litigation, arbitration, mediation and other dispute-resolution matters.
- Engage and monitor external legal counsel, including performance and expenditure.
- Advise on employment contracts, staff grievances, disciplinary proceedings and other human-resource matters.
- Maintain custody and registers of contracts, title deeds, seals, litigation records and regulatory obligations.
- Advise on the registration, protection and management of intellectual property associated with research and innovation.
- Conduct legal-awareness briefings and training for UNCST staff.
- Supervise assigned staff, legal consultants and other service providers.
- Prepare legal reports, compliance statements and analytical updates for management and oversight bodies.
Academic and Professional Qualifications
- A Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognised institution.
- A postgraduate qualification in Legal Practice.
- Eligibility to practise law in Uganda.
- An ICSA, Chartered Governance qualification or related certification is required or highly desirable.
Added Advantages
- A Master of Laws or related postgraduate degree.
- Specialisation in intellectual property, environmental, health, technology and innovation, international, commercial or contract law.
- Relevant postgraduate study in public administration.
- Training in contract management, arbitration, alternative dispute resolution or corporate governance.
- Training in legislative drafting, data protection or public procurement law.
Required Experience
- At least ten years of relevant professional experience.
- Significant exposure to an in-house legal, corporate, regulatory or institutional environment is preferred.
- Demonstrable experience in contract drafting, negotiation and commercial arrangements.
- Experience in corporate governance, legal compliance, risk management and dispute resolution.
- Experience managing external counsel and complex legal assignments.
- Experience advising senior management or boards will be an added advantage.
Key Competencies
- Excellent legal research, analysis and drafting skills.
- Strong contract-negotiation ability and commercial awareness.
- Knowledge of Ugandan corporate, public-sector, contractual and regulatory law.
- Sound understanding of corporate governance and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to identify, assess and manage legal risk.
- Strong communication, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to explain legal issues clearly to non-legal professionals.
- Excellent judgement, confidentiality and professional ethics.
- Ability to manage several complex assignments under demanding deadlines.
Required Application Documents
- A signed application letter.
- An updated curriculum vitae.
- Copies of academic certificates and transcripts.
- Names and contact details of three referees.
Application Procedure
Qualified candidates should submit their applications through the official UNCST careers portal. The application should be addressed to:
Head, Human Resources
Uganda National Council for Science and Technology
Plot 6, Kimera Road, Ntinda
P.O. Box 6884, Kampala
APPLY THROUGH THE UNCST PORTAL
Closing date: 13 September 2026, not later than 5:00 p.m. East African Time.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Official Source
View this vacancy and apply through the official UNCST careers page.
Application Checks
- Sign the application letter before uploading it.
- Ensure that the CV clearly demonstrates at least ten years of relevant experience.
- Include all requested academic certificates and transcripts.
- Provide accurate contact information for three referees.
- Complete the online submission before 5:00 p.m. EAT on the deadline.
Date posted: 31 August 2026
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