Job Title: Â Senior Counsel Officer Â
Organisation: FINCA Uganda Limited
Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda
About the Company:
FINCA Uganda Limited was the first licensed micro-finance deposit taking institution in Uganda, and part of a global network which serves over 1,000,000 clients in 22 countries. FINCA Uganda currently offers loans, savings and money transfer services in Uganda, one of the most competitive and dynamic microfinance markets in the world.
Job Summary: Â Â The Senior Legal Counsel is responsible for managing debt recovery, criminal prosecutions, and litigation matters, while also deputizing the Head of Legal and Company Secretary in legal operations. She/He is responsible for overseeing and managing all litigation and dispute resolution matters for FINCA Uganda and advising Business Units and Management on legal risks, managing external counsel, and ensuring best practices in legal dispute resolution.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: Â Â The Senior Legal Counsel will be responsible for the following:
Litigation Management
- Managing and overseeing all litigation and legal disputes involving the institution including borrower disputes, regulatory actions, debt recovery, employment-related litigation and pursuing criminal prosecutions.
- Developing and implementing strategies for effective dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation, and negotiation.
- Representing the institution in legal proceedings, including court hearings, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations.
- Engaging and effectively supervising external counsel ensuring cost-effective and efficient legal representation.
Debt Recovery, Loan Default Actions & Legal Enforcement
- Developing legal strategies for loan recoveries of hardcore/escalated cases and enforcing security interests.
- Overseeing legal actions related to loan defaults and debt recovery like obtaining eviction orders, warrants of arrest, orders for vacant possession and provision of advisory to the Credit department and Branches on foreclosure or repossession actions.
- Working closely with the Recovery, Credit, Branches to enhance legal strategies for loan recovery and ensuring legal sound recovery processes.
- Drafting and reviewing legal notices, demand letters, and other documents required for enforcing loan agreements.
- Representing FINCA Uganda in court proceedings related to loan defaults and debt collection cases.
Stakeholder & External Counsel Management
- Engaging and supervising external counsel to ensure effective legal representation and advisory services.
- Supervising the performance of external legal counsel to ensure effective recovery.
- Coordinating with Field recovery officers, Branch Staff and provide updates to Stakeholders and Management on progress of cases in Court.
- Representing the institution in discussions with regulators, government agencies, and law enforcement regarding legal proceedings.
- Engaging with external and internal audit teams during the departmental reviews and provide all necessary information.
Criminal Prosecutions & Fraud Management
- Working with law enforcement agencies like Police, CID, DPP Financial Crimes Division to file criminal complaints and instituting criminal proceedings against fraudulent staff.
- Providing legal guidance to Management on fraud related cases.
- Working closely with Compliance and Internal Audit departments on internal investigations on fraud or financial misconduct cases.
Legal Risk Assessment & Compliance
- Assessing potential legal risks related to litigation and providing recommendations to mitigate exposure.
- Ensuring compliance with applicable banking, financial, and microfinance regulations in all legal proceedings.
- Liaising with regulatory authorities, such as Bank of Uganda on legal matters impacting the institution.
- Maintaining awareness of changes in relevant laws and regulations that may impact the institution’s operations.
- Employment & Labor Disputes
- Handling employment-related litigation.
- Advising the Human Resource department on Employment laws, employee contracts, and workplace policies to mitigate litigation risks.
- Representing the institution before the Industrial Court and labor tribunals when necessary.
Legal Advisory & Training
- Providing legal guidance and training to internal teams on litigation risks, contract management, and regulatory compliance.
- Developing internal policies and best practices related to litigation and dispute resolution.
Deputizing the Head of Legal
- Assisting the Company Secretary and Head of Legal in overseeing the legal department’s day-to-day activities.
- Assisting the Company Secretary and Head Legal in management of Board affairs when the need arises.
- Supporting policy formulation and regulatory compliance
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Law degree (LL.B.) from a recognized university and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
- 5– 8 years of experience in Litigation, Debt recovery, criminal prosecutions, banking law, microfinance, or financial services legal practice in a law firm or fast paced corporate institution.
- Enrolled Advocate of the High Court of Uganda with a valid practicing certificate.
- Strong knowledge of the applicable Legal and Regulatory Frameworks.
- Experience handling loan recovery, debt enforcement, and financial services litigation.
- Experience in handling fraud-related legal cases
- Proven ability to liaise with Government agencies like Police, CID, DPP, Industrial Court, Courts and Judicial Officers.
CompetenciesÂ
- Strong litigation, negotiation, and dispute resolution skills.
- Excellent legal drafting and court representation skills.
- Ability to handle multiple legal matters in a fast-paced financial environment.
- Knowledge of banking, microfinance operations, and risk mitigation strategies.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and advisory skills.
- High ethical standards, integrity, and confidentiality.
- Ability to balance opposing business requirements.
- Strong evaluation, communication and reporting skills
- Independent and logical thinker, yet an achiever and implementer
- Leads by example
- Building relationships and networking easily
How to Apply:
All candidates who so wish to take up this role in the aforementioned with the forementioned skills and competencies are encouraged to send their applications with detailed CVs including present position and copies of relevant professional/academic certificates to: ug_jobs
fincaug.org
Deadline: 21st February 2025
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