Legal and Compliance Officer at Credit Direct Limited

JOB SUMMARY

The position involves overseeing legal functions such as drafting and reviewing documents, providing advisory support on various legal topics, conducting research, managing litigation cases, resolving customer complaints, and coordinating legal document execution, while also handling compliance responsibilities by developing, implementing, and monitoring compliance programs, policies, and controls in alignment with CBN regulations, and evaluating internal processes to mitigate risks.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities

The Legal and Compliance Officer will provide comprehensive support to the Department, as well as other business units within the company where necessary, across the following functions: 

Legal 

• Drafting and review of legal documents including but not limited to agreements, letters and legal opinions, as well as provision of sound and instructional inputs that will guide contractual reviews and negotiations.
• Provision of timely advisory support across a variety of legal topics, including but not limited to labour law, contractual compliance and regulatory provisions.
• Conducting legal and non-legal research and providing analytical feedback upon which advice will be proffered to the requesting officer/team.
• Appropriately advice external counsel to either institute or defend new litigation cases on behalf of the company and ensure proper follow up on such cases.
• Work with relevant teams within the business’s operations to appropriately resolve and manage customer complaints which are adversarial in nature. 
• Oversee and coordinate the execution and delivery of all legal documents.
• Attendance of relevant meetings and documentation of minutes. 

Compliance

• Develop, review, update and implement compliance programmes, policies and controls in line with relevant CBN regulations.
• Monitor the company’s activities to identify any potential regulatory infractions and proffer viable resolution measures. Also, evaluate internal processes, systems, and operations to uncover any vulnerabilities and develop strategies to mitigate risks.
• Monitor regulatory changes by staying up to date with changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards to ensure that the company remains compliant. Additionally, maintain liaisons with external regulatory bodies and stakeholders to ensure maintenance of open lines of communication.
• Conduct investigations into allegations of fraud and forgeries within or against the company by staff and/or external parties. This will involve gathering of evidence, interviewing employees, and recommending appropriate actions to address the issues.
• Prompt preparation and submission of regulatory and statutory reports to requisite regulatory authorities including CBN and NFIU, as well as the Company’s Group Internal Audit (GIA). 
• Reporting and documentation of records of compliance activities, including incident reports, audits, and remedial actions. Also, prepare and submit reports to management and regulatory bodies as required.
• Facilitate trainings and awareness programmes across divisions and departments to educate staff members about their respective responsibilities and promote a culture of compliance.
• Other general administrative duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Head of the Department.

JOB EXPERIENCE

Qualifications and Skills

• LL.B qualification and admitted to the Nigerian Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years post-call work experience with a bank or finance company with adequate industry knowledge of relevant CBN regulations, AML/CFT policies, etc.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking and communication skills.
• Candidate must also possess problem-solving skills, show ability to take initiative and pay attention to details .