Legal Officer

Job title: Legal Officer

Reports To: Group Head, Sales

• Management Level: Middle Management

• Reports To: Legal Adviser and Company Secretary

• Department: Legal Department and Company Secretariat

• Location: Head Office

Job Purpose

To support the Company Secretary in ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, promoting sound corporate governance practices, and facilitating the effective administration of Board and Board Committee affairs. The role also supports regulatory compliance monitoring, corporate records management, and the development, review and implementation of internal policies.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Company Secretarial and Board Administration

• Coordinate the preparation and circulation of notices, agendas, meeting papers and Board packs for Board and Board Committee meetings.

• Prepare and maintain accurate minutes of Board and Board Committee meetings, ensuring timely circulation and proper documentation of resolutions and action points.

• Maintain statutory registers, corporate records, Board resolutions and other company secretarial documents in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

• Coordinate statutory returns, filings and other required submissions with relevant regulatory authorities within prescribed timelines.

• Support the planning, coordination and administration of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other shareholder meetings.

• Maintain an organised and secure company secretariat document management and filing system, ensuring proper version control, accessibility and confidentiality.

• Support the induction, training and continuing professional development of directors on corporate governance, statutory obligations and regulatory developments.

• Corporate Governance and Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor compliance with applicable statutory requirements, corporate governance codes and internal governance standards, escalating identified gaps to the Company Secretary.

• Track regulatory compliance obligations, maintain compliance registers and monitor submission deadlines to support timely compliance across the organisation.

• Liaise with relevant regulatory authorities on company secretarial matters, governance-related filings and official correspondence, as authorised.

• Support the preparation of regulatory compliance reports and responses to regulatory inquiries, inspections and requests for information.

• Monitor changes in relevant laws, regulations and corporate governance requirements, assess their potential implications, and communicate findings to the Company Secretary.

• Assist in identifying governance and compliance risks and recommend appropriate corrective actions.

• Policy Development and Management

• Draft, review and update internal policies and governance-related documents in line with applicable laws, regulatory requirements and organisational objectives.

• Coordinate the circulation, communication, implementation tracking and periodic review of approved policies across the organisation.

• Maintain a central register of organisational policies, including approval dates, review timelines, version history and responsible policy owners.

• Monitor regulatory developments and recommend necessary amendments to internal policies and governance procedures.

• Provide administrative and technical support to relevant stakeholders to promote awareness of, and adherence to, approved policies and procedures.

• Functional Competencies

• Sound knowledge of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 and applicable corporate governance codes.

• Knowledge of statutory filing requirements and regulatory compliance obligations.

• Knowledge of Board and Board Committee administration, including meeting procedures, minutes and resolution tracking.

• Proficiency in corporate records management, document control and statutory register maintenance.

• Knowledge of policy drafting, review, approval and lifecycle management.

• Ability to monitor compliance obligations, maintain compliance registers and track regulatory deadlines.

• Good understanding of regulatory correspondence, compliance reporting and corporate governance documentation.

• Behavioural Competencies

• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Good interpersonal and collaboration skills.

• High level of discretion, integrity and confidentiality.

• Strong organisational, planning and time-management skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet statutory deadlines.

• Organisational Competencies

• Execution Focus

• Enterprising

• Resilience

• Innovation

• Qualifications and Experience Required

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree and Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification, with admission to the Nigerian Bar.

• Four to five years of relevant post-call experience, preferably with exposure to company secretarial practice, corporate governance and regulatory compliance.

• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

• Membership of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), or demonstrable progress towards membership, is an advantage.