Legal Officer at ImaliPay

About the role

We are looking for a highly qualified Legal Officer passionate about ensuring that the legal affairs of ImaliPay are handled appropriately and in accordance with the country laws in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. You will be tasked to provide strategic, business-focused legal support related to all activities. You are expected to have a Pan-African experience of the laws and dynamics.  You will also be responsible for providing counsel on all relevant issues, including contract negotiations, corporate governance, and compliance with regulations.  

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality legal support and act as a direct business partner for all activities of ImaliPay in a highly diverse and pan african environment;

•  Draft and negotiate complex and high value commercial contracts with B2B customers around the globe, including complex licensing and contract agreements, in line with legal requirements and internal guidelines and policies.

•  Assess legal risks to the business and work with the stakeholders to define and implement solutions to manage these risks, including training and communications.

• Manage potential and actual legal disputes and provide robust assessments of contractual claims and proposed solutions.

•  Drive simplification and standardization projects and support the implementation of new tools and systems.

•  Provide contextual guidance to the business with strong operational and business acumen, setting legal requirements in context with operational needs as well as transactional and strategic aspects.

• Provide internal advisory services to the various country markets, business units and departments within ImaliPay.

• Provide commercial legal support to all departmental projects and job functions.

• Monitor the maintenance of the registers and other records required to be maintained by ImaliPay under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

• Assist in the development of guidelines, policies, and procedures.

• Analyze and review legal agreements, legislation, and documents for the Board.

• Ensure (internal & external) compliance with laid down guidelines, policies, and procedures; investigate issues of non-compliance as may be required.

• Review and draft contracts, agreements, and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements.

• Reviewing and analyzing laws, regulations, and cases related to specific industries such as insurance, banking, or securities trading to advise ImaliPay on how to comply with legal requirements.

• Collaborate with management to devise efficient defense strategies.

• Research and apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible legal issues.

•  Liaising with external lawyers and the state law office on matters that are beyond the scope

•  Developing, implementing and reviewing legal policies and procedures to ensure that they are in accord with the existing legislation

•  Providing necessary support in the board secretarial function when needed

•  Carry out any other duties relating to laws of the country or the organization 

Requirements and Qualifications

• University degree in law (preferred: in a continental European or common law jurisdiction).

• Bar eligibility and/or postgraduate education are an asset

• Basic Knowledge of all applicable laws, rules, and regulations across Anglophone Africa.

• Minimum of 3-5 years relevant post-qualification experience, ideally gained within a financial environment or with a law firm representing financial institutions.

• Documented success in drafting and negotiating contracts and ability to analyze complex legal issues.

•  Sound experience in working cross-functionally with multiple stakeholders handling a high volume of activity involving multiple and complex projects simultaneously.

• Strong verbal & written communication skills, together with a high ability to influence and negotiate.

• A professional & culturally sensitive work ethic.

• Ability to work in an agile and entrepreneurial manner to meet business objectives

• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.

• Basic knowledge or experience in the technology sector is an added advantage 

• Strong negotiation skills.

• Ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Application Deadline 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with a final deadline of December 30th, 2022