Serve as the Chief Legal advisor for the Board of Directors and the Bank, advisor on legal/regulatory and compliance risk management and Secretary to the Board.
Responsibilities
Legal Support
Administer the legal affairs of the Bank, provide in-house legal research and advice, and manage relationships with external legal advisors for:
correct perfection of Bank’s securities
efficient management of the litigation portfolio
negotiation of agreements/contracts on behalf of the Bank
Coordinating all commercial legal related matters with the Bank’s external counsel.
Providing legal advice to management and board as well as identifying new or modified laws and regulations that may affect the Bank’s business and advising management.
Evaluating legal risks posed by new business activities, products etc. and advising management.
Assist in structuring of business transactions to minimize legal risks
Develop and maintain efficient and effective relationships with external counsel, as well as review the performance of the panel of lawyers against the agreed upon SLA’s.
Scrutinize of all credit and security documents to certify the completeness and correctness
Preparing and reviewing contracts and other legal documents (facility letters, chattels mortgages, SLAs, contracts)
Liaise with external lawyers for perfection of security and maintain a bi-weekly schedule of outstanding securities
Custodian of contracts, certificates, licenses and other legal documents
Co-ordinate litigation for and against the company.
Regulatory Compliance
Keeping abreast of developments in Corporate Governance practices and advice the business accordingly.
Serve as central liaison for all engagements with Regulatory authorities
Review of all Bank’s standard documents from time to time
In charge of the bank’s Compliance
Support to Risk and Compliance by ensuring that Bank’s procedures and laid down instructions are followed to minimize legal risks
Prepare legal risk reports when so required
Ensuring the regulator is updated promptly on changes in board membership and direct reports to the managing director
Preparing the application for renewal of the different licenses and policies, annually, within the prescribed time frame;
Board Support
Coordinating board and management committee meetings, preparing Board papers, managing attendance of the meetings and ensure minutes are kept
Preparing, distributing and co-ordinating the follow-up of minutes and matters arising from board and other management committee meetings
Convening and servicing annual general meetings (AGM) meetings (producing agendas, taking minutes; conveying decisions among other tasks.);
Providing support to committees and working parties such as the Board of Directors, Board Committees, other banks committee;
Handling correspondence before and after meetings;
Providing legal/financial advice during and outside of meetings.
Secure client financial information and maintain the Bank’s policy and procedure manuals
Attended to and resolved shareholders’ and directors’ queries and issues.
Qualifications
Education / Qualifications:
University degree – LLB from recognized university
Possession of Masters (LL.M, MBA is an added advantage)
Banking qualifications (AKIB, ACIB is an added advantage)
Professional Qualifications:
Advocate of the High Court
CPS(K)
Experience/Background expected from the job holder:
An experienced Advocate of the High Court with good exposure to wide complex commercial, conveyancing and debt recovery work pertaining to Banks
Experience in general company secretarial duties
Exposure to general banking operations
Experience in dealing with different stakeholders and diversified viewpoints, and ability to look at issues from multiple dimensions