Job Description

A rapidly growing international Savings & Loans Company with 19 Branches in Ghana is hiring a Legal Officer

Job Purpose     
Assists the Head of Department (HOD):

• To manage and advise on all legal functions of the institution in order to ensure at all time a good and sound legal Framework and full compliance with relevant laws and regulations to achieve the Institution’s objectives.
• To represent Advans Ghana on all court cases and with other third parties (external lawyers, regulatory bodies, etc.), supervise and coordinate the operations of the Institution’s legal and Associates legal issues.
• To manage the secretarial duties for the Board of Directors and Shareholders.
• To work with other departments to optimize the risks management of our institution (recovery, collaterals, contracts, etc.).

Main Responsibilities    

• Review contracts between the Institution and other bodies.
• Provide legal counsel to recover outstanding debts from defaulting clients.
• Examine newly published laws, acts and regulations and ascertain how these affect the institution’s business and make recommendations to the Head of Legal
• Perfect collateral documents and review or draft contracts, agreements and internal policies in accordance with legal requirements
• Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory or legal requirements and make recommendations to the Head of Legal and Compliance
• Where necessary liaise with relevant departments to ensure that legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken.
• Responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with all laws and regulations with respect to all commercial teams, contracts, agreements, internal policies and make recommendations to the head of legal where necessary.
• Review, handle and also monitor all litigation and related court processes of the company including drafting legal letters to clients; drafting debentures and registering them with branches; filing court cases and making appropriate follow-ups etc.
• Develop comprehensive reports for court proceedings should we have to go to court.
• Responsible for ensuring all court cases are filed in every court, all court cases are served, proof of service received, and next action implemented
• Coordinate with the Recovery Unit to ensure recovery actions are applied in accordance with the legal framework and provide legal advice in the implementation of strategies during arrears committees
• Ensure an effective recovery set up for the operations of the company together with Head of Business Development, Head of Sales & Distribution and Head of recovery unit (especially collateral policy)
• Manage the Relationship with valuers and auctioneers and ensure Advans Ghana

Required Skills or Experience

Min Education Level:     

• A first degree in Law and a Professional Law certificate
• A Masters degree in Law will be an added advantage.

Work Experience:     

• At least three (3) years post call experience preferably in a financial institution.
• A minimum of four (4) years practice would be an added advantage.

Skills set/ Personal Abilities    

• Good analytical skills, Oral and written information, high integrity in reporting information, Reliability of work and good organizational effectiveness.
• Good reporting and communication skills
• Should be able to adapt and react fast, take initiative and be autonomous.
• Ability to deal with problems and also listen.