Deputy Company Secretary & Legal Counsel

Job PurposeTo provide legal support to Barclays Bank of Kenya and other associate companies in Kenya.To identify and managing legal risk in the SBU, liaising directly with the businesses as appropriate.To provide Company Secretarial services to select associate companies of Barclays Bank of Kenya.To act as liaison and provide organisational and administrative services to the East African Governance & Control CommitteeMain accountabilities and approximate time splitLegal Time Split% (40%)
Supporting the long-term growth of the business by providing pragmatic and effective legal advice to manage legal risk across the business and assist in the design and implementation of procedures to manage, at an appropriate level, this risk.
Ensuring that all aspects of legal risk are identified covered and controlled in the implementation of new projects, systems, procedures and products.
Developing and delivering strategic legal risk management initiatives.
Ensuring best practices are adopted and guidelines complied with, and that all activities comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Ensuring that changes and developments in legislation, regulations, guidelines and practices affecting the markets in which Barclays Kenya operates are analysed, evaluated and reported as required. Management & Financial information
Identifying and meeting management information requirements for the measurement of legal risk exposure, performance (both of internal and external legal resources) and productivity.
Managing and controlling external legal resources in terms of cost and performance, including negotiation and settlement of external lawyers’ fees.
Act as liaison between banking personnel and external legal advisors as appropriate.
Service management Contribute to the development of Barclays Kenya strategy through the identification of legal risk.
Liaising with the Heads of Functions & Departments to ensure that these teams are able to meet the ongoing requirements of the business
Controls :
Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards. Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.
Company SecretarialTime Split% (50%)ResponsibilitiesThe following Company Secretarial responsibilities for select associate companies of Barclays Bank of Kenya
Delivery of high level business information/data relating to local and regional business activities
Channel for distributing and receiving information critical to Group Corporate Secretariat (GCS) as required
Monitoring compliance with GCS and Group policies
Formulating standards and policies within Kenya and the region and for the Function
Assisting with annual audit of companies and directors
Identify risk and problem areas in the business that need assistance
Organisation of Board & Board Committee Meetings
Preparation of Board Minutes, Resolutions, Powers of Attorney etc;
Maintenance of statutory records;
Organisation of General Meetings
Filing of Statutory Returns and Procurement of required Licences
Board Management including induction, training and development of Directors
Provision of company secretarial services and advice to senior management, including listing obligations (debt and equity), AGM, Report and Accounts etc.
Responsibility for process of notifications to the regulatory authorities.
Management of database of information on Group companies and directors.
Monitoring and implementing appropriate Corporate Governance regulatory and statutory developments.
Managing the Company Secretarial budgets.
Team LeadershipTime split%: 10%
Provide education, training and support to the businesses on relevant legal risk issues and developments as appropriate.
Ensure an up to date and relevant knowledge of principal areas of law and practice in all relevant jurisdictions.
Risk and Control
“Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards. Understand and manage risks and risk events (incidents) relevant to the role.”
Technical Skills / Competencies
Ability to develop and support internal clients
Prioritising
Strong commercial/legal risk management focus
Strategic planning
Project and resource management
Delivery under pressure
Effective communicator
Analytical, problem solving skills with the ability to develop imaginative solutions
Networking skills
Ability to pull together and mange ad hoc teams & resources to deliver timely and effective solutions
Knowledge, Expertise And Experience
Experience of a significant number of those areas of business law relevant to Barclays Kenya namely Company Law, lending, products litigation, employment law, commercial contracts
Understanding of Barclays Kenya’s strategy, business and markets
Strong technical legal ability
Knowledge of Financial Services sector
Understanding of Barclays Group strategy, business & markets
Wide experience and full understanding of legal risk management
Company secretarial, compliance and investor relations
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya/Solicitor/Barrister (or equivalent)
Certified Public Secretary
At least 6 years PQE of legal risk management in banking law / financial services law within the banking sector or the equivalent in a busy corporate body or law firm of good repute.
Masters or advanced degree in law or business would be an added advantage
Barclays Guiding PrinciplesApprovalsThe guiding principles provides a framework for how we in Barclays work together and how we serve our customers and the communities we are in
Respect
Integrity
Service
Excellence
Stewardship