EBKL-Legal Officer - Commercial at Equity Bank Kenya

• The Senior Legal Officer - Commercial supports the bank's commercial operations by drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, advising on legal and regulatory compliance, and managing legal risks. Reporting to the Legal Manager - Commercial, this role ensures that the bank's commercial transactions are legally robust, aligned with business objectives, and protect the bank's interests.

Key Responsibilities

Contract Drafting and Negotiation:

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including loan agreements, service contracts, procurement agreements, and partnership MOUs.
• Ensure all contracts are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements and aligned with the bank’s policies.

Legal Advisory and Support:

• Provide timely legal advice to the commercial business units on matters relating to transactions, projects, and operations.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies to support the bank’s commercial activities.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Assist in ensuring that the bank complies with legal and regulatory requirements affecting its commercial operations.
• Work closely with compliance teams to align commercial operations with regulatory frameworks.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential legal risks in the bank’s commercial operations and recommend mitigation measures.
• Conduct due diligence for significant commercial transactions to ensure legal soundness and minimize exposure.

Dispute Resolution Support:

• Provide legal support in resolving disputes arising from commercial transactions, including negotiating settlements.
• Liaise with external counsel on litigation or arbitration matters related to commercial disputes, as required.

Documentation and Records Management:

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all commercial agreements, opinions, and legal correspondence.
• Ensure proper documentation of all legal approvals and authorizations related to commercial activities.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Work collaboratively with internal departments, including credit, operations, procurement, and risk, to ensure seamless execution of commercial transactions.
• Provide regular updates to the Legal Manager - Commercial on significant legal issues affecting the bank’s commercial activities.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support the Legal Manager - Commercial in conducting training for staff on legal aspects of commercial operations.
• Mentor junior legal officers in the commercial legal team.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a recognized institution.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate.
• Professional Certifications: Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate and Membership in the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
• Additional certifications in banking law, contracts, or commercial law are an added advantage.
• At least 5–7 years of experience in legal practice, with a focus on commercial law, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Prior experience in the banking or financial services sector is an added advantage.