Legal Officer at Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Legal and Company Secretary in the provision of legal advisory services to AECF and its stakeholders, ensuring proper representation of the organization in all legal matters.
• Support in the drafting and negotiation of agreements both simple and complex including loan funding agreements, collateral documents, donor funding agreements, downstream partner agreements and other consulting and service provider agreements.
• Support the portfolio and investments teams in structuring and compiling contract documentation to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Support in the implementation and management of AECF’s country registrations and provide legal advice in relation to country governance and operational documents.
• Continuously analyse in-country and cross border regulatory issues affecting AECF and communicate effectively with internal key stakeholders and support in the development of strategies and plans to mitigate any arising risks.
• Support the Head of Legal and Company Secretary in the negotiation and structuring of partnerships between AECF and key relations including host governments, sponsoring government ministries and in-country partners.
• Build the capacity of AECF team and investees on legal matters.
• Organize start-up and close-out workshops to enable Investees and project staff understand contractual obligations and donor compliance requirements.

Suitable candidates should:

• Hold a Bachelor of Laws degree and a post graduate diploma in law/legal practice certificate. Have a minimum of six (6) years’ experience providing legal counsel services at a cross border law firm or international organisation.
• Have experience in handling complex legal issues. Have experience in credit/investments and legal documentation.
• Have experience in working in a financial institution/commercial department of an internationally recognised legal firm/ investment firm.
• Have experience of making risk-based decisions in a complex operating environment with multiple competing demands.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in fast paced multi- cultural and fluid environment.
• Have excellent interpersonal skills including strong work ethic, impeccable integrity, and judgment. Demonstrate the ability to take a broad view of organizational issues and objectives and to evaluate regulatory and compliance risks in the context of other risks.
• Have excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaborative relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Have excellent attention to detail and the ability to work accurately under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Have excellent analytical and contracts management skills.