Legal Officer

About

FINCA Limited (Malawi), a subsidiary of FINCA Impact Finance (FIF), is a deposit-taking microfinance institution operating through 22 service outlets, serving borrowers and savers in rural, urban, and peri-urban areas. FINCA Limited (Malawi) is increasing access to its services and products through alternate channels.

The Legal Officer (LO) will be responsible for providing legal assistance on legal matters related to the organization. Under the supervision of the Head Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, the LO will be responsible for attending to the Company's litigation matters, perfection of loan security, reviewing, drafting and preparing contracts and other legal documents, attending disciplinary and mediation sessions, and preparing legal opinions. In addition, the LO will be responsible for identifying legal risks associated with loan contracts and other operations and policies and propose mechanisms for mitigating such risks.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws Degree and a valid license to practice law in Malawi.
• A minimum of 3 years post admission experience.
• Experience in Company and Employment Law.
• Experience in Law of Contract.
• Experience in Conveyancing.
• Local language and English.
• Availability to travel (25% of the time).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

I. Providing legal assistance to the Head of Legal and Company Secretary

• Representing the Company in courts of law.
• Analysing litigation trends and preparing proposal to reduce legal cases.
• Preparation of client and employee litigation reports for audit purposes.
• Providing assistance on corporate finance issues.
• Assisting with debt collection measures.
• Attending disciplinary hearings and mediation sessions.
• Maintaining sound filing and case management systems.

II. Providing operational assistance to the Operations Department

• Supporting the Operations Department on all legal issues.
• Advising the Company on loan contract management.
• Attending Credit Committees where legal input is required.
• Assisting in the arrangement of credit life insurance.
• Authorising collateral perfection in the PPSR and drafting security documents including charges and mortgages.

III. Drafting and reviewing loan contracts and other documents

• Drafting and reviewing client loan contracts.
• Reviewing changes that may impact loan contracts and operation documents and making recommendations to Management.
• Drafting and reviewing demand notices.
• Assisting in the drafting of general legal documents.

IV. General legal research

• Conducting legal research as requested.
• Preparing legal opinions and giving legal advice to both internal and external clients.

V. Conducting Legal Trainings

• Conducting Legal Trainings/Presentations from time to time in liaison with the Head Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary.
• Conducting trainings on collateral handling, debt collection and anti-money laundering issues.

VI. Attending to any other duties assigned by Management from time to time

Competencies

• Leading With Integrity: Reinforces our values through daily behavior. Holds others accountable to ethical behavior. Encourages full disclosure of mistakes. Confronts unethical behavior quickly.
• Employee Engagement: Maintains a fulfilling work environment. Engages people based on their strengths. Mentors others to develop their skills. Sets clear and measurable goals. Provides feedback on performance regularly.
• Achievement Focus: Overcomes obstacles creatively. Consistently achieves business objectives. Recognizes and pursues opportunities. Takes calculated risks to achieve goals.
• Collaboration: Convinces others collaboration is a win-win. Holds people accountable to work together. Fosters mutual accountability to achieve results.
• Responsible for Results: Takes responsibility for own actions. Manages others to focus on key priorities. Helps others overcome challenges. Balances urgency with attention to detail.
• Financial Responsibility: Conserves organizational resources. Works within budget guidelines.
• Planning and Performance Management: Excellent organization, time, work and self-management skills.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to adapt and work co-operatively and effectively at senior levels with the Management Team. Strong relationship building and diplomatic interpersonal skills with sensitivity to the emotional, attitudinal and political aspects of the corporate life. Ability to handle difficult people and tense situations with diplomacy and tact; spot potential conflict, bring disagreements into the open, encourage debate and open discussion and orchestrate win-win situations.
• Reporting and Communication Skills: Exceptional oral communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Understand corporate procedures. Experience and practical skills in drafting Litigation Reports, Loan Contracts and Legal Opinions, Insurance Agreements, and Clients and other Third Parties Contracts.

Key Relationships

Internal Relationships

• Head Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary
• Head of Human Resources
• Head of Branch Network
• Credit Manager
• Management Team at all Levels

External Relationships

• Professional law firms
• Public prosecutors

How to Apply

Reply by email sending your cover letter with resume to: vacancy@fincamalawi.org