Job Title: Legal Officer

Reports to: Manager, Legal Services

Department: Legal

Location: Head Office, Nairobi, Kenya

Job Purpose

• To provide technical and practical legal support and solutions to the Business Units, manage the security documentation process, and ensure compliance on collateral conditions prior to disbursement of these facilities
• Ensuring quick TAT in preparation of LOO and perfection of securities so that the Bank can book facilities fast and start earning profit on even faster. Ensure the bank does not face legal risk by ensuring the securities in place are realizable in case of default by Customer.
• Manage litigation matters in the absence of the Manager, Legal Services.  

Key Responsibilities

• Draft Offer Letters upon receipt of duly approved facility papers observing agreed timelines and high standards of accuracy and within applicable law, Shariah compliance, bank policies and regulations
• Issue instructions to external advocates to act on our behalf in the preparation of various securities required from time to time by the Bank and issue the lawyers with all the documentation required to perfect securities.
• Vet and/or review all security documents for completeness, clarity and ensure that all legal risks are anticipated and adequately covered.
• Continuously engage with external lawyers and other service providers on security documentation process and ensure that security documents and other conditions have been perfected/ completed within the agreed TAT and prior to drawdown of facilities
• Drafting various security documents that may be required and which can be drafted internally.
• Liaising with Relationship Managers in ensuring proper execution of documents by the Customers and ensuring proper execution of the documents by the Bank’s Attorneys.
• Monitoring the security perfection process and in this regard, following up with lawyers, relationship managers and in some cases customers to ensure the process moves smoothly.
• Maintain MIS with respect to TAT, exceptions, security movement and others as may be required for tracking of documents and performance and exceptions to ensure follow up of the exceptions and or deferral granted by credit are fully resolved and all securities called for in approvals are duly perfected and received
• Advising credit and relationship managers on various legal aspects in the security perfection process.
• To assist the Head of Legal in reviewing and advising transactions documentation, identifying potential legal risks and problems, and providing appropriate advice to management and line managers thus protecting the Bank from potential loss. 
• Keeping, maintaining and updating Legal records and documents 
• To review documentation in regard to any court matters that the Bank is party to
• To undertake any other tasks assigned by Management.
• Ensure compliance with the relevant Acts of Parliament and any other statutes that may come into effect and that would affect the business.
• Carrying out Performance Review for Panel of Lawyers

Key accountabilities

• Align IT investments with business goals, optimizing value creation
• Ensure that all IT services and development activities align with an organization’s strategic goals
• Coordinate on the closure of IT Security and IT Audit observations with other stakeholders
• Tracking IT matters with other stakeholders

Contacts for this position

Internal

• Business Teams
• Credit
• Remedial
• Shari’ah

External

• Panel of Advocates
• Other banks

Required:

• Must have a degree in Law, LLB
• Diploma in Law – KSL
• Must have served and completed a pupillage in reputable law firm
• Must have been admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya 
• Must have at least three years post admission experience in a law firm that undertakes security perfection for banks/or a bank
• Must possess a current Practicing Certificate
• Must have litigation skills
• Member Law Society of Kenya

Functional Competencies specific to this role

• Strong communication skills 
• Strong relationship management skills
• Takes initiative 
• Works well with all kinds of people 
• Remains calm under pressure
• Should be self-starter

Competencies required for this Role

Customer relationship management

• Respond to internal customer needs in a timely, professional, helpful and courteous manner.
• Follow up with internal customers during and after delivery of service to ensure that their needs have been met. Provide customers with status reports and progress updates.
• Provide information of legal/statutory nature to the business in a proactive manner.
• Display qualities of responsibility, resourcefulness, tolerance and a commitment to quality when dealing with internal customers and service providers.

Self-management and personal development

• Self-management
• Prioritize tasks according to importance and deadline and adjust priorities as situations change.
  Focus time and effort on key tasks to be efficient.
• Use sound methods to plan and track work, appointments, and commitments. Evaluate progress on tasks and adjust work style as needed.
• Meet and exceed deadlines through efficiency.

Personal development

• Acquire and apply new knowledge relevant to the role, keep abreast of policies, procedures and guidelines relating to the role.
• Objectively assess and critically examine own performance.
• Take action and seize opportunities to learn on the job and identify opportunities for growth and progression