Job Purpose:
- Reporting to the Asst. General Manager,
Dispute Resolution Unit, the purpose of the role is to assist in managing
debt recovery cases and court orders served on the Bank and ensure that
the Bank’s interests are not prejudiced either before court, in public
domain or business environment.
- Additionally, the job holder provides
support with respect to legal issues affecting the entire Credit Support
Unit with a view to mitigate legal risks and prevent adverse consequences
to the Bank.
- Offer support in conducting internal and
external compliance audits and examinations to ensure compliance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Litigation Management: Lead and
oversee all phases of litigation (pre-trial, trial, and post-trial) and
dispute resolution, including commercial disputes, employment law, and
regulatory matters.
- External Counsel
Management: Coordinate with, instruct, and manage external lawyers,
ensuring their performance aligns with company strategy and budget.
- Legal Strategy and Advice: Develop
and implement comprehensive legal strategies to effectively address and
resolve disputes. Provide expert, proactive legal advice and guidance to
management and staff on litigation risks and opportunities.
- Document and Evidence
Management: Oversee the drafting of pleadings, motions, and briefs.
Manage the discovery of evidence and ensure the secure maintenance of
legal records and documentation.
- Negotiation and Settlement: Engage
in negotiations and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods to seek
cost-effective solutions and favorable settlements where possible.
- Compliance and Risk
Mitigation: Identify and assess legal and regulatory risks,
implementing preventive measures to ensure the organization complies with
all applicable Kenyan laws, regulations, and industry standards.
- Reporting: Prepare periodic status
reports and updates for the Executive Head or Board of Directors on
ongoing contentious and potentially contentious matters.
- Provide support to the Credit function on
all debt collection related matters, create legal awareness and provide
advice on suitable action to avert and/or minimize litigation
- Update database of all debt recovery
litigation to ensure the same is consistently up to date and provide
reports as may be required.
- Facilitate action on inward communication
from customers, agents and Advocates within the required bank standards
and SLA.
- Maintain highest level of confidentiality
concerning the sensitive, strategic and integral legal & other
information, data, decisions and developments taking place at the company.
- Any other duties that may be assigned
from time to time by the Head of Legal & Head of Dispute Resolution
Unit.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Litigation Success Rate: The
percentage of cases won, dismissed, or settled favorably for the
organization.
- Reduction in Legal
Exposure/Liability: A measurable decrease in the total financial
exposure from pending litigation over a specific period.
- Compliance Score/Audit Results: The
outcomes of internal or external legal and regulatory audits, with high
scores indicating effective risk management.
- Incidence of Preventable Disputes: A
reduction in the number of new disputes arising from areas where prior
legal advice was provided and policies implemented.
- Stakeholder Satisfaction (Internal
Clients): Feedback scores from internal departments and senior
management regarding the quality, responsiveness, and strategic value of
legal advice provided.
- Timeliness of Advice/Response
Time: The speed at which legal advice is provided to internal
stakeholders or responses filed with courts, measured against agreed
service level agreements (SLAs).
- Quality of Legal Documentation and
Strategy: Qualitative assessment of case strategy, pleadings, and
briefs by senior management or external peer review.
- Employee Development/Team
Performance: The effectiveness in mentoring and developing the
in-house legal team, measured by performance reviews and retention rates.
Key Competencies:
- Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
- Excellent decision-making and
problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and
work under pressure.
- High professional and ethical standards.
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder
management skills.
- Good knowledge of the banks internal
processes and loan recovery process in Kenya.
- Sufficiently computer literate to prepare
and record documents and returns, with the knowledge thereof being an
advantage.
- Well-developed communications and
interpersonal skills to be able to deal with difficult customers.
- Apply knowledge of Kenyan Law to
counteract statements/implications/misconceptions made by customers in an
endeavor to escape their liabilities to the Bank.
- Apply knowledge to Credit Control
Procedures and Policies in place to ensure that appropriate steps are
taken when dealing with matters.
- Team player.
- Demonstrates trustworthiness and
integrity.
Academic Qualifications & Work Experience:
- A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a
reputable university is required. A Master of Laws (LL.M) is an added
advantage.
- Must have completed the Diploma in Law
from the Kenya School of Law and be admitted as an Advocate of the High
Court of Kenya.
- Must be a member of the Law Society of
Kenya (LSK) in good standing and hold a valid practicing certificate.
- Typically requires a minimum of 8-10
years of progressive experience in legal practice, with significant
experience in litigation and at least 3-5 years in a management or senior
leadership role.
- Strong analytical, negotiation,
communication, and leadership skills are essential.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation,
problem solving, negotiation skills with the ability to positively and
clearly communicate with a variety of audiences.
- Possess a high degree of professional
ethics & personal integrity.
- The candidate must be hardworking,
flexible & service oriented.
- Proficiency in use of computer
applications.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision.
How to Apply
