Legal Counsel

Job Summary To support the Business by providing pragmatic and effective legal advice to manage legal risk; ensure that changes and developments in legislation, regulations, guidelines and practices affecting the business are analyzed, evaluated and reported as required; manage litigation; advise on contractual arrangements between the Bank and third parties; and support the Company Secretary on Board affairs.

Job Description Key accountabilities

Operational Management – Legal

• Review and advise on revenue generating contracts and other agreements with third parties.
• Management of litigation by ensuring that instructions are sent to external counsel in time; pleadings are filed within timelines; receive, review, and file monthly litigation reports; update the general litigation tracker; and review the litigation portfolio and advise on cases proposed for settlement; arrange and or attend the Trial Readiness Forum meetings; preparation of witnesses and evidence of the Bank.
• Management of law firms by ensuring that law firms have valid contracts, professional indemnities, evaluate performance of law firms, processing payments.
• Support with due diligence and verification process through company searches; verification of letters of administration; attending to orders from court, IGG, and other competent authorities.
• Participate in and contribute to Group driven initiatives and projects.
• Ensure plans are in place to cover leave, training and development and awareness programs to legal and related departments.
• Manage, control and monitor office budget and accounts.
• Prepare Legal and Secretarial budgets as directed by Director Legal/ Company Secretary ensuring basis is understood and monitor performance against budgets.
• Comment on budget variances, recommend action and follow up to ensure action is taken.
• Monitor External legal costs ensuring spend is within Budget.
• Monitor and oversee the processing of all fee notes from external law firms and liaise with finance to ensure settlement, maintain a detailed spreadsheet of all payments and reconcile figures with related departments on a monthly basis.
• Ensure timely submission of reports to forums like ARO, ERC, Trial Readiness Forum, NRR, Legal Principal Risk, Managing Director, and Risk Control Forum.
• Take and keep minutes of the Legal Department meetings and ensure action arising are closed within the timelines provided.
• Manage the CLE calendar and ensure that all lawyers in the department have the minimum CLE points.
• Ensure that the approval of chambers is renewed annually and before 31st March each year.

Governance and Control Management

• Ensure that the RCSA/CPA is refreshed within the set timelines.
• Track and manage Compliance and Internal Audit deadlines.
• Ensure that the Legal Department’s Key Risk Indicators are updated quarterly.
• Ensure that Legal Policies, Standards and operation manual are updated and approved annually.
• Ensure that the Legal MCA and CE are updated and approved monthly.
• Update Legal provisions and litigation reports on the ARO SharePoint.

Board Administration – Company Secretariat In consultation with the Secretary:

• Schedule Board and Committee meetings in line with the annual calendar.
• Prepare and distribute notices, agendas, and supporting documents.
• Ensure timely delivery of Board packs to directors including uploading on the Diligent system.
• Maintain accurate records of Board and Committee meetings, including minutes and resolutions.
• Ensure confidentiality and security of Board materials.
• Ensure adherence to corporate governance standards and regulatory requirements.
• Assist with statutory filings (e.g., annual returns, changes in directorship) and update the Secretarial Software Solution (SSS).
• Update the quarterly KAI and share with the Secretary.
• Collect and compile information relating to approval of Senior Managers and Directors.
• Track and manage compliance deadlines for Board-related obligations.
• Act as the primary point of contact for Board related matters.
• Organize venues, technology setup, and catering for Board meetings.
• Manage travel arrangements for directors when necessary.

Role/person specification Preferred Education

• Bachelor of Laws Degree with Honors, Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and enrolment as an advocate of the High Court of Uganda and all courts subordinate thereto.

Preferred Experience

• At least 5 years post enrolment working experience in a similar role preferably in a in regulated institutions, or commercial law firm.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of local and group jurisdictions and regulatory requirements for financial institutions
• Experience and understanding of risk management.
• Knowledge of budgeting and operational management in a legal/administrative context

Skills

• Very strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Excellent planning & organization skills
• Strong ability to view issues from a risk & control perspective
• Ability to work well under pressure, working accurately with attention to detail, and meeting deadlines

Education Bachelor`s Degrees and Advanced Diplomas: Law, Military Science and Security (Required)

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