Legal Officer job at Kyamuhunga Peoples Co-operative Savings and Credit Society Ltd (KYAPS)

Job Purpose

To provide comprehensive legal support to KYAPS, oversee all litigation matters, ensure legal compliance across operations, manage contractual relationships, and safeguard the SACCO’s interests by offering timely legal advisory services. The Legal Officer will represent KYAPS in all courts of law and other legal forums as a fully enrolled Advocate with a valid Practicing Certificate.

Key Responsibilities

Litigation and Court Representation

• Represent KYAPS in all court cases, tribunal matters, and arbitration sessions.
• Prepare, file, and respond to pleadings including plaints, defenses, affidavits, and submissions.
• Manage external law firms (if any) and ensure proper documentation and follow-up.
• Advise management on the best legal strategies and risk implications of ongoing cases.
• Ensure timely updates to management on case status, progress, risks, and outcomes.

Loan Recovery & Credit Risk Support

• Provide legal support to Credit and Recovery teams on non-performing loans.
• Draft and issue demand notices, caveats, loan recall letters, and recovery instructions.
• Participate in the negotiation of repayment schedules and settlement agreements.
• Ensure legal compliance in collateral documentation, perfection of securities, and enforcement actions.
• Support disposal of collateral through legal auction processes where applicable.

Contracts & Legal Documentation.

• Draft, review, negotiate, and validate all KYAPS contracts, MoUs, service level agreements, leases, and procurement documents.
• Ensure adherence to the SACCO bylaws, Cooperative Societies Act, all internal policies and all other relevant legislations and regulations.
• Maintain an updated database of all contracts and legal instruments.

Compliance, Policy & Governance Support

• Ensure KYAPS complies with all statutory and regulatory frameworks (URA, NSSF, PPDA, etc.)
• Draft and review internal policies, SOPs, and legal frameworks of the SACCO.
• Provide legal guidance to the Board and Management on governance matters.
• Train staff on legal awareness, customer protection laws, and regulatory compliance.

Risk Management & Investigations.

• Identify and mitigate legal risks that may affect operations.
• Conduct internal investigations related to fraud, misconduct, loan disputes, or staff issues.
• Participate in disciplinary proceedings when required.

Corporate Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement.

• Manage relationships with regulators, law enforcement agencies, courts, and local leaders.
• Represent KYAPS in legal meetings, arbitration sessions, and regulatory hearings.
• Advise management on emerging legal issues, new laws, and industry changes.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required

• Bachelors of Law (LLB) from a recognized institution
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LDC).
• Advocate of the High Court with a valid Practicing Certificate (Bar Certificate).
• At least 2 years’ experience in active legal practice, preferably in: Litigation, Banking & financial institutions, SACCOs or microfinance, Debt recovery, Commercial/contract law

Skills and Competencies Required

• Strong writing and comprehension ability
• Litigation and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of cooperative laws, Microfinance Act, and financial regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of land transactions, mortgage processes, and security documentation.
• High integrity and ethical conduct.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Key Performance Indicators.

• Reduction in legal case backlog and costs.
• Successful litigation outcomes in court.
• Timely contract preparation, review, and approval.
• Compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Efficiency in loan recovery legal interventions.
• Quality of legal advisory support to management and Board.
• Accuracy and completeness of legal documentation.

Employment Terms

As a responsible and equal opportunity employer, KYAPS is committed to providing competitive employment terms to successful candidates with the right qualifications, skills, competencies and experiences. Click on the position of your interest to view the job specifications, descriptions and other details

• Represent KYAPS in all court cases, tribunal matters, and arbitration sessions.
• Prepare, file, and respond to pleadings including plaints, defenses, affidavits, and submissions.
• Manage external law firms (if any) and ensure proper documentation and follow-up.
• Advise management on the best legal strategies and risk implications of ongoing cases.
• Ensure timely updates to management on case status, progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Provide legal support to Credit and Recovery teams on non-performing loans.
• Draft and issue demand notices, caveats, loan recall letters, and recovery instructions.
• Participate in the negotiation of repayment schedules and settlement agreements.
• Ensure legal compliance in collateral documentation, perfection of securities, and enforcement actions.
• Support disposal of collateral through legal auction processes where applicable.
• Draft, review, negotiate, and validate all KYAPS contracts, MoUs, service level agreements, leases, and procurement documents.
• Ensure adherence to the SACCO bylaws, Cooperative Societies Act, all internal policies and all other relevant legislations and regulations.
• Maintain an updated database of all contracts and legal instruments.
• Ensure KYAPS complies with all statutory and regulatory frameworks (URA, NSSF, PPDA, etc.)
• Draft and review internal policies, SOPs, and legal frameworks of the SACCO.
• Provide legal guidance to the Board and Management on governance matters.
• Train staff on legal awareness, customer protection laws, and regulatory compliance.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks that may affect operations.
• Conduct internal investigations related to fraud, misconduct, loan disputes, or staff issues.
• Participate in disciplinary proceedings when required.
• Manage relationships with regulators, law enforcement agencies, courts, and local leaders.
• Represent KYAPS in legal meetings, arbitration sessions, and regulatory hearings.
• Advise management on emerging legal issues, new laws, and industry changes.

• Strong writing and comprehension ability
• Litigation and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of cooperative laws, Microfinance Act, and financial regulatory requirements.
• Understanding of land transactions, mortgage processes, and security documentation.
• High integrity and ethical conduct.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analytical and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Bachelors of Law (LLB) from a recognized institution
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LDC).
• Advocate of the High Court with a valid Practicing Certificate (Bar Certificate).