Legal Officer

Job Summary:

The Legal Officer provides essential legal and administrative support to the hospital's legal department, ensuring efficient operation of legal functions, compliance with healthcare regulations, and support in legal matters related to patient care, contracts, risk management, and hospital operations, requiring discretion, strong organizational skills, and in-depth knowledge of legal processes in healthcare.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Support and Documentation

• Draft, review, and revise contracts, agreements, and other legal documents, including vendor contracts, employment agreements, and patient-related forms.
• Ensure all ISHUs legal documents comply with applicable laws, hospital policies, and JCI accreditation standards while protecting the hospital's interests.
• Maintain accurate and organized records of legal documents, contracts, and correspondence securely and confidentially.

Compliance and Regulatory Affairs

• Monitor ISHUs compliance with Uganda laws and healthcare regulations, international standards (e.g., JCI), and hospital policies.
• Identify potential legal or compliance risks and recommend corrective actions.
• Stay updated on changes in healthcare laws, data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, where applicable), and other relevant legal frameworks.

Legal Research and Analysis

• Conduct legal research on healthcare regulations, employment laws, patient rights, and other relevant areas to support decision-making processes.
• Prepare summaries, memos, and reports based on research findings for management/hospital leadership.

Risk Management

• Identify and assess legal risks associated with hospital operations, including patient care, data privacy, and employee relations.
• Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies in collaboration with the Legal Services team and management.

Administrative and Collaborative Duties

• Coordinate with internal departments (e.g., HR, Finance, Clinical Services) to address legal inquiries and provide guidance on policy adherence.
• Support management in managing external legal counsel and third-party vendors when necessary.
• Serve as the secretary for hospital operations and other official meetings as deemed necessary by management.

Litigation and Dispute Resolution Support

• Gather documentation and evidence for potential legal disputes or litigation involving the hospital.
• Support management in communication with external legal counsel during disputes or investigations.

Policy Development and Implementation

• Develop and implement hospital policies and procedures in collaboration with relevant departments.
• Ensure policies align with legal requirements and industry standards.

Training and Education

• Conduct training sessions for hospital staff on legal issues, compliance, and risk management.
• Promote awareness of legal and ethical standards among hospital employees.

Data Protection, Privacy and Confidentiality

• Oversee compliance with patient confidentiality laws and regulations in Uganda.
• Manage privacy-related policies and procedures.
• Guide data collectors, processors, and controllers on their data protection rights, obligations, and responsibilities under the law.
• Conduct audits to ensure compliance with the Act and proactively address potential issues.

Competencies/Abilities

• Strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in [Primary Language, e.g., English], with proficiency in [additional languages, if applicable].
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw, or local equivalents).
• Attention to Detail: Ability to produce accurate and high-quality legal documentation.
• Confidentiality: Commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate effectively with multicultural and cross-functional teams.
• Time Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ethical Judgment: High ethical standards and integrity in handling legal and compliance matters.

Knowledge/Qualifications and Experience

The ideal Candidate must have:-

• Bachelors degree in Law (LLB).
• Post-graduate Diploma in Law

• Enrolled Advocate
• Possession of a Valid Practicing License

• 3 - 5 years of experience in a legal role, preferably in healthcare, corporate, or compliance settings.

Preferably, the Candidate should have:-

• Basic understanding of healthcare laws, regulations, and compliance standards (e.g., JCI, local healthcare regulations).
• Postgraduate certification in healthcare law, compliance, or a related field.
• Experience working in an accredited or international healthcare environment.
• Familiarity with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) and patient confidentiality regulations.