Head of Legal Compliance at Interswitch

Job Purpose

To promote continuity in the company’s operations by developing legal and compliance strategies to minimize exposure to potential litigations and adverse impact on business objectives, and to provide guidance to the Legal team and internal stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advice, Compliance Advisory and Contract Management

• Lead legal advice and support provision on various legal activities within Interswitch’s spectrum; advise on Interswitch’s regulatory framework with a proper understanding of the main terms and conditions of legal agreements etc.
• Manage a portfolio of contracts and negotiate service level agreements. Will also plan, coordinate, and supervise activities relating to major contracts.
• Advise on general business law and regulatory issues and manage legal and compliance issues across Interswitch, including but not limited to corporate matters, procurement, safety, labour law, mergers & acquisitions, security, insurance, Anti Money Laundering, Customer Due Diligence, Ethics, Corporate Governance, and sustainability issues
• Support and advise the management on matters mergers and acquisition (M&A).

Client and Customer Management (Internal)

• Maintain relationship with relevant stakeholders and deploy legal and compliance risk management policies and standards in projects, systems and services, across the organisation.
• Act as a business partner to key internal customers and manage relationships with them.
• Likely to involve using support teams to ensure customer satisfaction.
• External Stakeholders & Regulatory Management
• Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc.), creating relations of trust
• Regulations, Legislations, Policy Development & Implementation
• Develop Legal and Compliance policy frameworks as well as underlying procedures and monitor their implementation.
• Provide advisory to company and management on relevant regulations & legislation impacting the company.
• Develop and monitor the framework for the identification and rendition of all statutory and regulatory reports and returns.

Legal and Compliance Risk Management

• Direct ethics and governance framework development; anticipate and manage legal and compliance risks connected with or resulting from Interswitch’s daily business and operations.
• Develop and/or deliver a contingency plan for significant aspects of legal and compliance risk management and/or control process.
• Secure compliance of business operations with relevant laws and regulations; and communicate progress with General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.
• Partner with relevant stakeholders across Interswitch to raise awareness on legal and compliance, and to discuss legal and compliance risk management concerns.

Leadership and Direction

• Communicate the actions needed to implement the function's strategy and business plan within the team; explain the relationship to the broader organisation's mission, vision and values; motivate people to commit to these and to doing extraordinary things to achieve local business goals.
• Manage and report on the performance of the Legal and compliance team; set appropriate performance objectives for direct reports and hold them accountable for achieving these; take appropriate corrective action where necessary to ensure the achievement of team/personal objectives; providing coaching and mentoring, identifying talent for pivotal roles from a succession management standpoint, and giving ad-hoc advice when necessary and formulate workforce planning reports and budget.
• and submission of Group legal & compliance periodic reports/returns

COMPETENCIES

Manages Complexity

• Makes sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems. For example, asks questions to encourage others to think differently and enrich their analyses of complex situations. Accurately defines the key elements of complex, ambiguous situations.

Optimises Work Processes

• the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. For example, encourages and rewards continuous improvement and quality outcomes. Equips others to handle day-to-day tasks effectively on their own. Integrates systems to improve quality and service.

Communicates Effectively

• and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. For example, engages diverse groups by communicating in a way that matches each group's preferences. Listens carefully and probes beneath the surface to gain richer insight on others' views.

Persuades

• compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. For example, deftly explains how own ideas can advance others' interests and address their concerns. Uses sophisticated negotiation skills; earns concessions while building a sense of partnership. Expresses views with powerful conviction and rationale.

Instils Trust

• the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. For example, builds a team with an exemplary reputation for reliability and for meeting even difficult commitments. Builds trust among people and groups by ensuring honest and up-front communication; maintains transparency.

Builds Effective Teams

• Builds strong-identity teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals. For example, connects with others on team projects and leverages their strengths and knowledge to deliver the best possible results. Champions the decisions of the team and operates in a way that builds team spirit.

Collaborates

• partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. For example, encourages co-workers and external partners to work together as a team, and makes sure they get credit for doing so. Encourages people to share their honest views, responds in a non-defensive way when they do.

Plans and Aligns

• and prioritises work to meet commitments aligned with organisational goals. For example, stays focused on plans and improvises in response to changes, including risks and contingencies. Aligns own team's work with other workgroups. Looks ahead to determine and obtain needed resources to complete plans.

Develops Talent

• people to meet both their career goals and the organisation's goals. For example, consistently shares ideas, insight, and best practices to help people reach their development goals and achieve optimal results. Shares targeted feedback in a prompt, constructive, and encouraging manner.

Directs Work

• direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done. For example, confirms mutual agreement on accountabilities, fostering strong coordination and minimising duplicated efforts. Communicates delays or problems early so others can manage their own work schedules effectively.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Action Planning

• expertise to act as the organisational authority on developing appropriate plans or performing necessary actions based on recommendations and requirements.

Policy and Regulation

• as the organisational authority and established expert on interpreting and applying knowledge of laws, regulations and policies in area of expertise.

Verbal Communication

• with expertise as the organisation's authority on using clear and effective verbal communications skills to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans or policies.

Writing Skills

• with expertise as the organisation's authority on using clear and effective writing skills to express ideas, request actions and formulate plans or policies.

Questions Strategically

• comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others to uncover clients' explicit needs and/or unforeseen opportunities and challenges. Probes to uncover dissatisfaction; Raises awareness of the client's problem; Probes to uncover and develop needs; Seeks alignment between needs and solutions.

Risk Management

• comprehensive knowledge and/or skills to act independently while providing guidance and training to others on identifying, assessing, prioritising and managing risks.

Legal Communication

• comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on how to communicate effectively on legal matters.

Legal Research

• comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on researching and applying legal concepts and information.

Law and Regulations

• comprehensive knowledge and skills to act independently while guiding and training others on how to professionally interpret and apply knowledge of laws and regulations.

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law
• Post graduate diploma in Law
• Master’s in law or Business Administration from a reputable institution would be an advantage

Professional qualifications

Relevant professional certifications such as:

• Certified Public Secretary
• Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS)

Experience

• At least 10 years legal experience as a practice lawyer in a commercial reputable law firm or as an in-house counsel; with cognate experience in corporate and commercial transactions, employment law, dispute resolution and regulatory affairs / compliance management and managing legal teams. The experience should also include; Solid knowledge and understanding of regulatory framework and relevant legal matters related to the financial services, technology and/or Fintech sectors, including understanding of the current technology and innovation trends.
• Experience in banking and finance / financial services / Fintech / Corporate M&A / data privacy / payments or technology industry preferred.
• Experience in dealing with early-stage issues encountered by fast-growing businesses in relevant sector preferred