Job Scope:

The Legal Manager is responsible for overseeing the legal functions of the organization, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and providing strategic legal advice to support business operations. This role involves managing legal risks, drafting and reviewing contracts, handling litigation, tax matters and administering the legal team.

This position ensures that the Company has an effective contract management system, dispute  resolution mechanism and a regulatory compliance system. The position shall be an advisory one with the Legal Counsel providing expert opinion in all matters pertaining to corporate commercial laws.

The Legal manager will also be responsible for managing relationships with regulators, government and non-governmental stakeholders ie.: BOT,, BRELA, TRA and other related organizations and acting as a company secretary during board meetings.

Key duties and Responsibilities

• Provide accurate and timely legal advice to the Board of Directors and senior management on a variety of legal topics (labor law, contract law, regulatory environment, data protection, international ventures, financing transactions, new product development legal aspects, etc.). 
• Participate and review legal documentation for proposed financial transactions, 
• Provide legal opinions and engage in strategic negotiations with the counterparties if needed. 
• Draft, review, update and amend the Company’s documents, including loan and  security agreements, data protection notices, internal resolutions, and other documents. 
• Represent Watu companies at trials, hearings and proceedings as may be necessary.
• Provide legal guidance including general legal advice on best practices for compliance, input on business decisions and contract negotiations, and legal strategies for litigation and other legal activities. 
• Proactively attend to Tax related matters, participate in audit and advise the organization on potential risks etc.
• Ensure compliance with laws and guidelines related to Watu business or other activities including anticipation of the changing laws and regulations. 
• Communicate and negotiate with external parties (e.g.,regulators, business partners, external counsels, public authorities etc.) within the given mandate. 
• Execute procedures for protecting intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and industrial designs. 
• Perform other ad hoc tasks as directed by the management. 

Key Performance Indicators  

• Revenue realization through proper contract negotiation. 
• Management of legal liabilities/ costs. 
• Benchmark costs against other in-house and external legal service providers.
• Litigation and contractual dispute numbers 
• Monthly monitoring and internal legal risk assessment to ensure continuous legal  compliance across all functions.  
• Introduce and apply case mitigation strategies for reduction of the total number  of litigation cases. 
• Timely drafting and renewal of all commercial and non – commercial contracts.
• On time application and renewal of all licenses and certificates.
• Review of laws and regulations guiding microfinance
• Adhere to work ethics, values, business contribution and personal  contribution. 

Qualifications: 

• Education level: Postgraduate diploma in legal practice from a recognized institution.    Masters of  law (LLM) is desirable.
• Experience: Minimum of Seven (7) years of legal practice, working in a financial institution is an added advantage.

Technical skills:  

• Excellent knowledge of Legal Policies and Procedures. 
• Sound judgement and ability to analyze situations and information.
• Conversant with Microfinance regulations
• Performance Management.  
• People skills. 
• Teamwork and collaboration.  
• Contract and Litigation Management.  
• Records Management. 

Behavioural skills:  

• Focus on ways to resolve disputes.  
• Develop and improve on processes. 
• Creative in developing solutions.  
• Self motivated. 

People & Leadership Skills

• Participate in mid-year performance appraisals, annual performance appraisals and monthly 1-1s as per Watu performance management cycle. 
• Work together to create an environment that fosters teamwork and cooperation.
• Attend training sessions offered to continuously improve skills and knowledge.
• Be proactive and self-motivated to achieve set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Recommend new ways of working to continuously improve efficiency, productivity and enhance both our internal and external customer experience.
• Keep updated on any changes in policies, schedules, and product knowledge to the team.
• Attend and participate in team meetings.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Be a part of an international, dynamic and driven team that has set their aspirations high and work hard to achieve those
• Opportunities to learn and grow together with us
• Competitive compensation package 
• Health benefits

Do you see yourself being part of the WATU team? Then please apply with your CV and a cover letter, we are looking forward to working with you!

**Please be cautious, this vacancy does not require individuals to pay for job opportunities**