Job Description
HFC Limited, the banking and property finance subsidiary of HF Group has an exciting opportunity in our Company Secretarial & Legal Services Division. We are seeking for a talented, dynamic, self-driven and results oriented individual who is committed to performance, excellence and participating in our growth strategy.
Legal Manager
Reporting To: Head of Legal
Overall Job Purpose
To support all arms of the business in all matters legal to ensure the company is covered against loss and breach as well as ensure customer satisfaction
Principle Accountabilities
LEGAL FUNCTIONS
• Support HFDI in conveyance of the housing units to the vendors of the units
• Support HFDI in onboarding new projects, due diligence, structuring and contracting the various projects
• Engaging with external advocates, registries and relevant government bodies in obtaining approvals for the projects
• Providing legal opinions to the Subsidiaries Heads, Management & the Branch Network and diverse business including affordable housing
• Drafting, perusing & approving service & other contracts entered into with the Company by external service providers and drafting other legal documents as may be required by the Company from time to time
• Coordinating and convening board and shareholder meetings of the various joint venture companies
• Regulatory compliance by compiling and filing the relevant statutory documentation with the Registrar-General, which include Annual returns, change of directors and share increment for the joint venture companies
• Drafting and reviewing company-wide legal related documentation for use by the Company and its customers including conveyance templates, leases and contracts, and constant evaluation & monitoring of the agreements that the Company is party to mitigate legal risk of non-compliance with continuing obligations
• Liaising with other bank staff to ensure facilities advanced to Company customers are expeditiously processed and disbursed
• Preparing standard legal documentation for use by the Company from time to time i.e. sale agreements, transfer charge documents, guarantee forms and other formats of a standard nature
• Constant evaluation & monitoring of the agreements that the Bank is party to mitigate legal risk of non-compliance with continuing obligations
• Perusing & interpreting legislation & other legal instruments
• Issuing of completion notices & legal demand letters in cases of default
• Protect members and stakeholders’ rights, privileges and interests in intellectual property and other product innovations, processes through patents and copyrights and take the necessary action to protect and preserve such rights from infringement.
• Sit in disciplinary hearings for staff members and provide legal steer on the process and procedures of the hearing
• From time to time conduct review of financing proposals and suggest best possible legal structure and documentation for deal transactions
• Periodically assess the advocate’s performance against the SLA signed between the Bank and the Advocates.
• Trainings and capacity building fora for HF staff members, and managing legal opinions and FAQs to staff
ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
• Handling & exchanging daily correspondence with Subsidiaries, Branches & other Departments of the Company
• Maintaining & constantly updating a record of the Company’s contracts, leases, trademarks, professional indemnities and status thereof
STAFF FUNCTIONS
• Appraise staff performance in the unit.
• Ensure fair and equitable distribution of duties.
• Supervise all staff and ensure discipline is maintained.
• Attend to staff complaints, personal grievances and counsel them when necessary.
CUSTOMER CARE
• Listen to problems and offer timely and workable solutions.
• Treating external staff and internal staff courteously and making every effort to be of assistance.
• Counseling staff on legal matters.
TRAINING
• Training staff on new regulatory developments and other matters of a legal nature in liaison or collaboration with external counsel.
• Follow up on performance of the trained Staff at the respective work stations
• On Site Training.
OTHER DUTIES
• Represent the department in certain meetings when called upon and as delegated from time to time.
• Represent the Company whenever called upon to do so.
• Any other duties as assigned from time to time.
• Conducting workshops for specific needs of business units
• Representing the department in Company projects that require legal input
• Sitting in & actively participating in nominated committee & task forces
Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized institution; and
• Diploma of Law from the Kenya School of Law.
• Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public;
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• Registered CPS with the Institute of Certified Secretaries of Kenya is an added advantage
Experience:
• An Advocate of 5 years’ experience, practising in a busy commercial law firm specialising in conveyancing and deals structuring
• Working knowledge of the legal environment for Affordable Housing, Joint Ventures, Land Administration, Land Registration, Banking and general business/commerce in Kenya
• Working knowledge of the lending practice for financial institutions, particularly lending to the different market segments – corporate, SMEs and retail banking
• Working knowledge of business management and banking acquired through practical experience in a work environment, seminars and courses on business and banking related subjects
• Participant in Continuous Education programs under both the Law Society of Kenya and ICPSK;
• Working knowledge of banking business acquired through working in a banking institution
• Participation in facility structure meetings, due diligence exercises and management of non-performing loan portfolio.
Desirable: Training in banking/company course.
Key Competencies and Skills
Personal Attributes
• Integrity
• Attention to detail
• Good Judgment
• Commitment
• Dedication
• Honesty
Skills required to undertake the role
• Analytical Skills
• Communication Skills- Oral and Written
• Conceptual Skills
• Decision Making Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Excellent Interpersonal Skills
• Influencing and Negotiation Skills
• Computer Literacy Skills
Application Deadline
20th June, 2021