Job Summary
Reporting to the General Counsel and Senior Executive, Legal Services Department, this position is responsible for the provision of quality legal services to the Bank through internal legal advice, preparation of legal documents and supervision of legal work to effectively manage the Bank’s legal risks.
Minimum Years of Relevant Experience
A minimum of 8 to 10 years of combined relevant experience, including international work experience in a commercial, financial or legal advisory institution and/or public sector financial body (e.g. International law firm, multi-national corporate, bank, insurance company, investment advisory firm, DFI, Ministry of Finance, National Treasury, Sovereign Wealth Fund).
Qualification, Knowledge and Skills
A Juris Doctor degree or Master’s degree in Law from an accredited institution.
Admission to the bar (as an attorney, advocate, barrister or equivalent) in the jurisdiction of qualification.
Robust background as a banking, finance, and corporate lawyer.
Experience in cross-border financing will be an added advantage.
A proven track record leading teams to achieve results.
Strong legal drafting, problem solving, negotiation, organizational skills with the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, manage dynamic priorities, and work under pressure to deliver on strict deadlines.
A team player with experience in leading teams and collaborating in cross-functional working groups.
A results oriented individual with excellent communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills.
Fluency in English is a requirement and further fluency in French or Portuguese will be an added advantage.
Responsibilities
The Principal Officer, Legal Services performs the following duties:
Collaborate with businesses in undertaking appraisal due diligence reviews, as and when required for obtaining approvals for prospective transactions.
Negotiate, Draft and/or Review and administer legal and transactional documentation in a timely manner with the relevant parties, always in line with the Banks’s policies and charter.
Manage the legal process on the loan and security documentation by coordinating and following up with the customer and external counsel to ensure satisfaction of the legal conditions precedent.
Manage the legal process on litigation/arbitration/receiverships in coordination with external legal counsel (where applicable).
Draft and/or review service provider agreements to ensure that the Bank’s interests are protected, but always in line with the Banks’s policies and charter.
Provide effective leadership, mentorship, coaching and by example, live the bank’s core values and inculcate these among staff under one’s management.
Participate in the management and administration of the Legal Department as assigned by the supervisor.
