Legal Officer

Legal Officer

Legal Officer

General Accountability

Reporting to the Manager Legal & Company Secretary, the Legal Officer is generally accountable for contributing to the efficient and effective day-to-day functioning of the Legal Department by providing legal advice, opinion and research.

Nature and Scope

Essentially, the position Legal Officer requires the command of a specific body of knowledge, practices and precedents ordinarily achieved through a programme of intense academic/technical or professional preparation at the tertiary level of educational delivery and reinforced through practical applications over time. Additionally, the position is challenged by work-related issues that require constructive, analytical, evaluative and interpretative thinking skills based on specific principles of the Legal discipline.

Dimensions

 The position interfaces internally with Divisional Managers, Department Managers and employees, and externally with external Counsel, Contractors, Dealers and Distributors. The Legal Officer supervises the Legal Clerk and the Clerk/Typist - Legal

Specific Accountabilities

• Provides legal advice so that the company may operate according to law.
• Drafts legal documents so that the company’s legal arrangements are according to law.
• Arranges for the day-to-day functioning of the Legal Department in the provision of legal services to the company.
• Formulates and implements procedures and systems for the Legal Department.
• Supervises subordinate staff.
• Liaises with the other Departments to ensure that the Company’s operations and legal arrangements are in accordance with the law.
• Conducts or arranges with external Attorneys for the conduct of litigation.
• Advises on legal arrangements.
• Arranges for the payment of professional and other fees, duties (including stamp duty) and other charges incurred by the company in legal matters.
• Responsible for the preparation and initiation of legal briefs.
• Responds to legal related correspondences.
• Performs all other duties related to the position, or that as are determined from time to time by the Manager Legal & Company Secretary.

Person Specifications

• Minimum Acceptable Academic/Technical/Professional Qualifications
• Legal Education Certification (LEC).
• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB).
• Minimum Number of Years of Relevant Experience
• Five (5) years experience as an Attorney-at-Law with a firm of Attorneys or in the Legal Department of a Company, preferably in the petroleum sector.
• Specific Skills/Experience and/or Knowledge
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite applications.
• Good organizational skills.
• Confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Working knowledge of the Company's operating policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Customer service skills.