Ongoing Recruitment at Nile University of Nigeria

Responsibilities

• The Legal Advisor will serve as a key legal expert within the university, providing strategic guidance and support on all legal matters under the supervision of the Head of Compliance. The role involves ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations, safeguarding the university’s legal interests, and mitigating risks through proactive legal strategies.

He/she is expected to;.

• Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. 
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Head, Compliance, and other senior leadership on all legal matters, including regulatory updates, emerging risks, and policy implications. 
• Collaborate with the Head, Compliance to ensure alignment of legal strategies with broader compliance frameworks. 
• Conduct regular legal risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and recommend mitigation strategies. 
• Oversee investigations into alleged violations of legal or ethical standards, ensuring fair and impartial resolution. 
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and partnerships to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks. 
• Provide guidance on intellectual property rights, data privacy, and other legal concerns specific to higher education. 
• Ensure all contractual obligations are clearly defined, enforceable, and aligned with the university’s best interests. 
• Collaborate with external legal counsel to address complex legal issues and manage high-stakes disputes. 
• Develop and implement strategies to minimize the university’s exposure to legal liabilities. 
• Assist the Head, Compliance in establishing and enforcing governance frameworks to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Support the implementation of compliance programs and training initiatives to enhance legal awareness among staff, faculty, and students.
• Provide guidance on regulatory reporting and ensure timely submission of required documentation to relevant authorities. 
• Lead incident response efforts related to legal breaches or compliance failures, ensuring effective mitigation and communication with stakeholders. 
• Prepare and present regular legal reports to the Head, Compliance, and relevant governance committees, highlighting key risks, trends, and performance metrics.

Qualification & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Law (LL.M) or a related field is preferred. 
• A Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) is required, along with a valid license to practice law. 
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in legal advisory, corporate governance, or a related field, including at least 3 years in a senior advisory role. 
• Experience in higher education, financial services, or a similarly regulated organizational environment is highly desirable. 
• Professional certifications such as Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or equivalent are a plus. 
• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). 
• Knowledge of Nigerian and international regulatory frameworks is essential

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Responsibilities

• The Head, Compliance will lead the university\'s compliance strategy and operations, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards, institutional policies, and ethical practices while safeguarding the university’s financial integrity and legal standing. The role will involve identifying and mitigating compliance risks, fostering a culture of accountability and integrity, and supporting the institution’s strategic objectives through robust governance frameworks.

He/she is expected to;

• Develop and implement a comprehensive compliance program aligned with the university’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. 
• Serve as the primary advisor to the Pro-Chancellor and Executive Management on all compliance-related matters, including regulatory updates and emerging risks. 
• Monitor changes in local, national, and international laws and regulations to ensure the university remains compliant with applicable legal requirements. 
• Conduct regular compliance audits and risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and implement corrective actions. 
• Establish and enforce university-wide compliance policies, procedures, and standards to promote accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct. 
• Oversee the development and delivery of compliance training programs for staff, faculty, and students to enhance awareness and understanding of compliance obligations. 
• Oversee adherence to accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, GAAP) and ensure accurate financial reporting and record-keeping
• Lead investigations into financial irregularities, fraud, or mismanagement, alleged violations of compliance policies or ethical standards, ensuring prompt resolution and appropriate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with internal and external auditors to facilitate audits and ensure timely implementation of recommendations. 
• Develop and manage the compliance budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to support strategic priorities. 
• Foster a culture of compliance and ethics by promoting open communication channels and encouraging reporting of potential violations through whistleblower mechanisms.
• Oversee incident response efforts related to compliance breaches, ensuring effective mitigation and communication with stakeholders. 
• Prepare and present regular compliance reports to the Pro-Chancellor and relevant governance committees, highlighting key risks, trends, and performance metrics.

Qualification & Experience

• A Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred.
• A recognized professional qualification such as ICAN, ACCA, CPA, CFA, or CIMA.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in financial compliance, auditing, or a related field, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Experience in higher education, financial services, or a similarly regulated organizational environment is highly desirable. 
• Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) or equivalent certification. 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent project management certification is a plus.
• Knowledge of Nigerian and international regulatory frameworks is essential