Overview

Job Title: Head of Legal and Governance
Level/ Job Grade: Senior Manager
Department: Legal and Governance

Job Purpose: The Head of Legal and Governance is tasked with delivering strategic leadership in legal matters, risk management, and compliance to guarantee the company’s adherence to relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies. This position involves serving as the Board Secretary, handling third-party contracts, supervising risk management and compliance activities, and providing legal counsel to assist the business in reaching its goals while effectively managing enterprise risks.

Technical Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of corporate law, insurance regulations, contract law, and legal risk management, particularly in the General Insurance.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance principles, including Board operations, minute-taking, and regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with risk management frameworks, particularly in the insurance industry, and ability to oversee risk-related issues.
• Knowledge of compliance obligations under the Insurance Act, and relevant laws.
• Proficient in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts with third-party service providers, ensuring agreements align with company objectives and legal requirements.
• Ability to take board minutes and provide guidance to the board on governance practices

Leadership Competencies

• Ability to develop and execute legal, risk, and compliance strategies that align with business goals.
• Capacity to promote integrity and ethical behavior across all levels of the organization, ensuring legal and regulatory compliance is a priority in decision-making.
• Ability to influence and get the buy-in of people at all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in providing sound, timely legal counsel to the executive team and Board of Directors, making decisions that mitigate risks and enhance organizational compliance.
• Agility in decision-making
• Relationship building and strong emotional intelligence
• Superior organization skills, project management skills, and attention to detail
• High level of commitment to quality work, organizational ethics, and compliance
• Self-starter and intrapreneurial
• Team orientation and People Management skills

Personal Competencies

• High integrity and confidence
• Strong Interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills
• Adaptability to change and diversity.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Performance and Results and oriented.
• Detailed, with the ability to multi-task and meet deadlines with minimal supervision
• Ability to negotiate best position and manage conflicting priorities of various parties.
• Effective Communication C Presentations, with the ability to express ideas and messages clearly, both written and verbally.

Academic and Professional Qualifications Required

• Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB)
• Professional Qualification (Barrister/Solicitor) or Professional certification in Insurance (ACII)
• 10-15 years of Legal/ Risk and Regulatory Assurance experience, preferably within the insurance industry, with at least 8 years in a managerial capacity.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Board Secretarial Duties

• Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, take minutes, and manage Board meetings and committee meetings.
• Follow-up on required actions from Board meetings to ensure execution.
• Ensure timely and accurate communication between the Board and management.
• Oversee governance reporting and ensure compliance with corporate governance standards.
• Facilitate the assessment of the Board and members’ performance and effectiveness, and ensure that board and sub-committee charters are adhered to.

Legal Advisory

• Provide legal counsel on matters affecting the company, including litigation, insurance claims, and regulatory issues.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, ensuring legal interests are protected in all agreements.
• Manage external legal counsel as and when necessary.
• Lead negotiations with third-party service providers, ensuring that contracts are in the best interest of the company and legally sound.
• Monitor the entire contract lifecycle, including renewals, terminations, and amendments.

Risk Management Oversight

• Work with the Risk Manager and risk owners to identify, assess, and mitigate risks that could impact the company’s operations and
  profitability.
• Ensure the company’s risk management framework is robust and compliant with industry best practices, and group standards.
• Foster a culture of risk awareness and management across the organisation.

Regulatory Compliance

• Embed a strong compliance culture across the business through awareness campaigns, training, and enforcement of rules and regulations.
• Oversee the Compliance Manager in maintaining and improving the compliance program to meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.
• Act as the main point of contact with regulatory bodies, ensuring timely filings and responses to regulatory inquiries.
• Contracting with Third Parties:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, including the Board, executive management, regulatory bodies, and external legal counsel.
• Provide strategic advice and ensure legal, governance, and risk issues are communicated effectively to all relevant parties.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Board members
• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., National Insurance Commission)
• External Legal Counsel
• Third-Party Service Providers
• Industry Associations

RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSETS

• Legal and Board documents
• Corporate records
• Tools and gadgets