Company Legal Officer

Company Legal Officer

• Job Type Full Time , Onsite
• Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience 3 - 5 years
• Location Edo
• Job Field Legal and Regulatory
• Salary Range ₦400,000 - ₦500,000/month

Job Purpose

• The Company Legal Officer protects the legal interests of Standard Life Organization by providing professional legal advice, managing legal risks, supporting loan recovery, ensuring contractual compliance, handling litigation matters, and promoting adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies.
• The successful candidate will work closely with Management, Credit Operations, Internal Control and Compliance, Human Resources, Audit and Finance to ensure that the organisation conducts its activities within the law while protecting its financial assets, reputation and business interests.
• The position requires a proactive, commercially minded legal professional who can identify potential legal risks, recommend preventive measures and resolve legal matters efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

• Corporate Legal Advisory and Governance

• Provide timely and practical legal advice to Management and relevant departments.

• Interpret applicable Nigerian laws and regulations affecting the organisation's activities.

• Review internal policies, procedures and operational decisions to identify potential legal exposure.

• Support corporate governance processes, including board resolutions, corporate documentation and statutory filings.

• Advise Management on the legal implications of new products, business expansion, partnerships and commercial transactions.

• Maintain a register of significant legal risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

• Loan Recovery and Debt Management

• Provide legal support to Credit Operations and Recovery Teams in recovering delinquent and non-performing loans.

• Review loan agreements, guarantees, collateral documentation and other security instruments to establish enforceability.

• Prepare demand letters, notices of default, settlement agreements and other recovery documentation.

• Recommend appropriate lawful recovery strategies for difficult or disputed accounts.

• Liaise with external solicitors and approved recovery agents where litigation or enforcement becomes necessary.

• Monitor recovery-related legal cases and ensure timely follow-up.

• Advise on the lawful enforcement of collateral and guarantees, subject to applicable legal requirements.

• Ensure recovery practices do not expose the organisation to harassment, privacy violations, reputational damage or other legal liabilities.

• Litigation and Dispute Resolution

• Manage and monitor litigation involving the organisation.

• Prepare legal briefs, case summaries, supporting documents and instructions for external counsel.

• Represent the organisation in legal proceedings where professionally authorised.

• Explore mediation, negotiation and other appropriate alternative dispute resolution methods.

• Maintain an accurate litigation register showing case status, exposure, legal costs and upcoming hearing dates.

• Provide Management with periodic updates on material disputes.

• Recommend early intervention to prevent avoidable litigation.

• Contract Drafting and Review

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts and agreements, including:

• Loan and credit agreements

• Guarantees and collateral agreements

• Employment and consultancy contracts

• Vendor and service-level agreements

• Partnership and commercial agreements

• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements

• Lease and property-related agreements

• Ensure contractual obligations, liabilities, termination clauses and dispute resolution provisions adequately protect the organisation.

• Maintain a central register of contracts, expiry dates, renewal obligations and significant contractual commitments.

• Regulatory and Legal Compliance

• Work closely with the Compliance and Internal Control functions to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

• Advise on relevant financial services, consumer protection, data protection, employment, and corporate legislation.

• Support the organisation in responding to regulatory enquiries, legal notices and official correspondence.

• Monitor relevant legislative and regulatory developments and advise Management on their implications.

• Review business practices and documentation for potential legal non-compliance.

• Support regulatory inspections and investigations where legal representation or advice is required.

• Employment Law and Disciplinary Matters

• Provide legal guidance to Human Resources on employment contracts, staff disciplinary procedures, termination, grievances and workplace disputes.

• Review disciplinary recommendations for procedural fairness and compliance with the organisation's Code of Conduct.

• Advise the Disciplinary Committee on the interpretation and application of relevant policies where requested.

• Ensure disciplinary actions are consistent with applicable labour laws and internal approval requirements.

• Support resolving employment disputes and minimise exposure to employment-related litigation.

• Review employment policies and recommend necessary legal improvements.

• Fraud Prevention and Internal Investigations

• Provide legal guidance during investigations involving suspected fraud, misappropriation, misconduct and financial irregularities.

• Work with Internal Audit, Internal Control and Management to preserve evidence and ensure investigations follow appropriate legal procedures.

• Advise on lawful disciplinary, civil recovery or criminal referral options.

• Liaise with law enforcement agencies and external counsel where authorised.

• Protect the organisation's legal interests throughout investigation and recovery processes.

• Legal Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain organised, confidential records of legal matters, contracts, litigation, and recovery actions.

• Prepare monthly legal reports for Management.

• Track outstanding legal actions and ensure deadlines are met.

• Maintain a database of external legal practitioners and monitor their performance and costs.

• Recommend improvements to legal documentation, reporting and record management.

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Performance will be assessed using measurable indicators, including:

• Performance Area

• Key Indicator

• Le