Regional Legal Counsel
Minimum Requirements:
- One of the following legal qualifications: B Proc, B Juris, B Com Law, or LLB (preferably an LLB)
- 12 years experience in the legal corporate environment
- Experience in the African continent (advantageous)
- Computer proficiency: Word, Excel & Power Point
- Good attention to detail
- Methodical and thorough approach to work
- Organised
- Good at juggling tasks and prioritizing
- A desire to show initiative
Job Function
- Oversee all legal aspects in the countries allocated within SAREG.
- Travel to certain countries within SAREG as part of the role.
- Act as a relay between the Legal and Insurance departments of the Companys South Africa division in France.
- Responsible for all legal matters in the allocated countries, including but not limited to:
Contracts
- Provide regular internal training on contractual issues, clauses in standard trading terms, and bespoke contracts.
- Support risk mitigation for all contracts of the Company and associated companies by:
- Drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts (customers, suppliers, service providers, agents, 3rd parties, including commercial and residential lease agreements, and land/asset sale and purchase agreements).
- Reviewing tenders.
- Highlighting key risks to Country Managers, Country Legal Managers, and other relevant parties for informed decision-making regarding contractual risks, provisions, and contract durations.
- Ensuring proper documented sign-offs for contracts.
Claims (Litigation & Non-Litigation)
- Manage and support Country Managers and Country Legal Managers with all claims, disputes, and litigation involving customers, agents, suppliers, service providers, 3rd parties, and insurance claims.
- Provide guidance and consider alternative approaches when needed.
- Provide support in liaising with external legal counsel for litigation, especially related to employment concerns.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting, management, and closure of all claims for the Company and associated companies.
- Properly prepare claims and witnesses (where applicable) and closely monitor claims until resolution.
- Report all fraud, major litigation, and high-risk matters to Regional Managing Directors and Regional General Counsel (SAREG).
- Review external legal counsel service levels annually with Country Managers and/or Country Legal Managers and assist in negotiating best rate structures.
Insurance
- Ensure all local insurance covers are renewed annually and kept up-to-date.
- Ensure all risks are adequately covered, considering business needs and local country-specific risks and requirements.
- Ensure Country Managers and/or Country Legal Managers are familiar with global insurance covers and relevant policy terms, restrictions, and requirements.
Galaxy System
- Ensure all bespoke contracts (customers, suppliers, service providers, agents, 3rd parties, etc.) for allocated countries are recorded and updated in the Galaxy system.
- Ensure all litigation matters are recorded in Galaxy and regularly updated with the latest legal developments.
- Provide training and support for Galaxy system users in English-speaking countries in Africa.
- Assist and support the Regional General Counsel with reporting, monitoring, and user allocation/licensing in the Galaxy system.
Reporting
- Provide timely and accurate monthly reports on legal matters (including country risks, new legislation, litigation & non-litigation claims, legal contracts, etc.) in the prescribed format for all allocated countries.
- Provide ad-hoc reporting as required.
General
- Provide legal opinions as required.
- Monitor changes in legislation and update relevant management on any risks to the Company and associated companies in allocated countries.
- Ensure compliance with relevant global and local laws and regulations for all companies in allocated countries.
- Conduct audits during visits to allocated countries in SAREG to ensure compliance with legal, insurance, claims, corporate secretarial, and compliance program matters.