Graduate Trainee – Legal Officer x 2 (24 Months fixed terms contract)

Job Purpose: To support the Legal and Corporate Services (LCS) Unit in delivering legal advisory services, corporate governance and board secretarial support, data protection compliance, and enforcement activities under the supervision of the Board Secretary and Head of LCS. The Graduate Trainee will gain structured, hands-on experience across the full spectrum of the LCS mandate, with particular emphasis on regulatory law, data protection under the Botswana Data Protection Act, and corporate governance practice.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Legal Advisory and Drafting

• Assist in providing legal advice to the Authority, the Board, and management on matters arising from the Medicines and Related Substances Act and related legislation.

• Assist in reviewing, drafting, and preparing legal documents including contracts, agreements, policies, MOUs, and correspondence.

• Support the review and update of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, Regulations, and subsidiary instruments.

• Assist in liaising with the High Court, subordinate courts, Government Ministries, and other institutions on legal matters affecting the Authority.

• Assist in attending or supporting litigation for or against the Authority to protect the interests of the Authority.

• Take custody of, and maintain records of, legal documents including contracts, agreements, and title deeds as directed.

Data Protection and Privacy

• Assist in monitoring compliance with the Botswana Data Protection Act and related regulations, policies, and governance frameworks.

• Support the conduct of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) for BOMRA’s data processing activities to identify and mitigate privacy risks.

• Assist in maintaining and updating the Authority’s register of data processing activities.

• Participate in and support the delivery of internal awareness campaigns and training sessions on data protection best practices.

• Serve as a supporting contact for data protection queries from internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Support engagement and correspondence with the Information and Data Protection Commission (IDPC) and other relevant regulators.

• Assist in reviewing data sharing agreements, data processor agreements, and privacy notices.

Governance and Board Secretariat

• Assist in organising and coordinating Board and committee secretarial services, including agenda preparation, pack compilation, and minute-taking.

• Support the maintenance and distribution of governance documents including the Corporate Governance Framework, Terms of Reference, Board charters, and registers.

• Assist in ensuring the implementation of governance standards by the Board and its committees.

• Support the tracking and follow-up of Board and committee action items and resolutions.

• Assist in coordinating the Authority’s Annual General Meeting and related shareholder engagement activities.

• Assist in maintaining the governance document estate, including policies, frameworks, and the governance calendar.

Compliance, Risk, and Enforcement

• Assist in implementing the legal risk and compliance framework.

• Assist in conducting investigation and enforcement activities under the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

Other

• Support the development of the Enforcement Framework and related procedures.

• Help build intelligence on illegal activities in the pharmaceutical sector in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

• Assist in preparing investigations and enforcement reports.

• Assist in developing guidelines, manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the LCS Unit.

• Assist in the development and monitoring of the Unit’s performance and budget activities.

• Provide periodic reports on assigned activities to the Board Secretary and Head of LCS.

• Carry out any other duties as may be assigned by the Authority.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• LLB Degree (minimum requirement), Bachelor of Laws from a recognized institution.

• Admitted to the Bar of Botswana, or eligible and in the process of admission, is an added advantage.

• Postgraduate diploma, coursework, or professional certification in data protection, privacy law, or corporate governance (e.g., CIPP, CIPM, ICSA, CGI) is an added advantage.

• Degree in Information Technology, Data Management, or Compliance as a second discipline is an added advantage.

• No prior work experience required (graduate entry-level position).

• Internship or vacation work experience in a legal, compliance, regulatory, data protection, or corporate governance environment is an advantage.

• Demonstrated interest in regulatory law, data privacy, or governance through academic work, projects, or voluntary engagement is desirable.

COMPETENCIES

• Legal Research and Analysis: Ability to research legal questions and synthesise findings into clear, concise legal opinions and memoranda.

• Written and Verbal Communication: Ability to communicate legal and technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.

• Data Protection and Privacy Awareness: Knowledge of or demonstrated interest in data protection law and practice, including the Botswana Data Protection Act.

• Governance Awareness: Understanding of corporate governance principles, board operations, and compliance frameworks.

• Integrity and Professional Ethics: Commitment to the highest standards of professional conduct and confidentiality.

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a small, multi-disciplinary team.

• Attention to Detail: Ability to handle legal documents and governance records with precision.

• Adaptability and Eagerness to Learn: Willingness to engage across all areas of the LCS mandate.

• Result Orientation: Ability to manage assigned tasks to completion within agreed timelines.

If you believe that you have the above capabilities, meet the minimum requirements, and would like to grow with BOMRA, kindly send your application, latest CV, certified copies of certificates, and two (2) current referees’ details to: recruitment@bomra.co.bw