Legal Officer at Sanlam Kenya

Reporting To: Assistant Manager - Legal Claims Business Unit: SanlamAllianz General Insurance (Kenya) Limited

Purpose

• Effectively and efficiently investigates, evaluates, and settles insurance or legal claims, ensuring legal compliance (e.g., IRA, DPA) and mitigating financial risk. Manage litigated files, analyze merits and quantum, and facilitate cost-effective settlements, often supporting lawyers and ensuring adherence to internal policies, procedures, and statutory requirements. Provide technical support, troubleshoot and resolve litigation system issues for our adjusters, lawyers, as well as evaluating coverage and liability claims. Interface with insureds, brokers and lawyers to resolve claims.

Role Description

• This is a full-time on-site position based in Nairobi County, Kenya.
• The Legal Officer will be responsible for identifying valid claims by carefully analyzing the supporting documents and ensuring sufficient evidence is provided by the claimant to support claim.
• Negotiations of legal claims to reduce claim costs. Preparation of file notes.
• Actively identify fraudulent and suspicious claim activities, this would include fraudulent claims reporting and report to Legal Claims Manager.
• Coordinate with advocates and witnesses to ensure court attendance for all cases coming up for hearing and timely conclusion of matter, send out hearing notices where matters are actively in Court.
• Timely submission of Claims Reports. Follow up reports from the Liaise with external Counsel, brokers, agents and direct clients to providers as per the agreed SLAs.
• Ensure timely settlement of judgements to avoid execution by Auctioneers and further costs.
• Notifying the Legal Manager on any critical matters that become apparent at the claims stage.
• Negotiating with Third Party Advocates on out of Court settlements to save on operational costs and minimize risk/ cases against the company. •Extensive legal research and opinion writing on claims settlement relating to employer's liability, Product Liability, and personal auto lines, taking note of the policy wordings and contracts.
• Prepare monthly reports on outstanding legal matters/files. Periodic review of pending cases and contact insureds, agents and vendors to determine progress and status.
• Coordinate and conduct investigations into third party injury/property damage claims to determine their validity, legality and adherence to policy terms.
• Ensure that all legal claims assigned to you are adequately reserved as per the Reserving policy.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university. Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft legal opinions, correspondence, and reports.
• Minimum of 2-3 years' relevant legal experience, preferably within the High level of attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to meet strict
• Claims or Legal function of a reputable insurance company.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Kenyan legislation, litigation procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Working knowledge of Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) regulations and Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) guidelines applicable to the insurance sector in Kenya.
• Proven ability to conduct legal research, analysis, and interpretation of statutes, regulations, and case law. .
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated professional integrity, reliability, and sound judgment, particularly when handling confidential and sensitive information. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders.