Legal Officer Dfcu Bank

Reporting to the Legal Manager, the role holder will be responsible for providing legal support to the various functions of the Bank including litigation, debt recovery, contractual arrangements and general legal advisory services.
LOCATION: Kampala

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• Draft and review contracts, offer letters, letters of intent and other similar documents as per the respective internal approvals to ensure they comply with the approved internal conditions and are in enforceable form upon execution.
• Manage the execution, filing and custody of contracts and such other documents that are binding on the Bank.

Support the credit operations unit with review of specialized documentation for credit facilities including securitization to ensure no exposure may arise to the Bank as a result of inappropriate credit documentation.

Manage the registration, filing and custody of board documents/materials including resolutions, minutes and approvals and avail the same to relevant parties on request.
• Provide proactive support to the Bank’s recovery teams in the management of delinquent accounts.
• Monitor and advise on all matters arising from the routine operations of the Bank with the potential of developing into litigation and provide legal advice to the business units on legal issues arising in their various areas of operation to forestall any practices that could lead to avoidable litigation.
• Implement the litigation strategy as advised by the Legal Manager, Litigation.
• Support with provision of oversight over the Bank’s litigation portfolio, to ensure effective implementation of the agreed litigation strategy, policies, processes, and guidelines in the management of cases by and against the Bank.
• Attend Court on behalf of the Bank and follow up legal and litigation related issues and recommend appropriate legal interventions for given litigation problems.
• Recommend, develop and conduct training of various bank units on legal aspects and best practices.
• Offer general legal advisory services to all business functions and the operational functions of the Bank to ensure legal and regulatory compliance so as to shield the Bank from all operational and legal risks and losses.
• To take on other responsibilities in the Legal Department as shall be designated.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
• Bachelor of Laws Degree.
• Post graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
• Enrolled Advocate of High Court and subordinate Courts.
• A minimum of five (5) years’ experience working in a busy law firm or commercial institution with extensive exposure to banking and finance transactions.
• Experience in management of litigation and recoveries.
• Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and drafting.
• Exposure to credit operations, documentation, and security perfection.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and critical analysis skills.
• Excellent legal drafting and interpretation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to give timely and accurate legal opinions and advise.
• Ability to manage time and pressure effectively to ensure optimum results.
• Self-motivated and result oriented.
• Requires minimum supervision.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills and mature disposition to be able to deal with internal stakeholders, clients, and service providers directly as the need arises.
• Ability to keep abreast of changes in the legal requirements, banking industry, market, and use developments to offer legal solutions to changing business opportunities and threats.
• Good grasp and in-depth knowledge of the principles and laws governing banking & finance, corporate law, leasing/asset finance, land, mortgages, security realization, employment among others.