Key Responsibilities:
- Legal Advisory:
- Provide expert legal advice to the management team on corporate, commercial, regulatory, and land-related matters.
- Interpret and explain legal implications of company policies and business decisions.
- Contract Management:
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of legal documents including supply agreements, partnership contracts, land leases, NDAs, and service-level agreements.
- Ensure that all contracts align with company goals and regulatory requirements.
- Compliance & Regulatory Affairs:
- Monitor and ensure the company's compliance with applicable laws and regulations (e.g., agricultural, labor, tax, environmental).
- Liaise with government agencies (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, EFCC, NESREA) on licensing, permits, and compliance matters.
- Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
- Manage and supervise external counsel on litigation and dispute resolution.
- Provide internal risk assessments and develop strategies to mitigate legal liabilities.
- Land & Property Matters:
- Conduct legal due diligence on land acquisitions and leases, ensuring proper title and documentation.
- Handle community relations, compensation agreements, and customary land issues.
- Corporate Governance:
- Support board secretariat duties including drafting board resolutions, maintaining statutory registers, and preparing board reports.
- Ensure that corporate governance standards are upheld.
- Team Leadership:
- Lead and supervise the legal team, providing mentorship and performance oversight.
- Develop training programs to promote legal awareness within the organization.
Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Barrister-at-Law (B.L). Master’s degree in Law, Business, or related field is an advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years post-call legal experience with at least 3 years in a managerial or lead counsel role. Experience in the agribusiness, manufacturing, or FMCG sector is preferred.
Key Skills:
- Strong knowledge of corporate, commercial, and environmental law.
- Proven experience with land law and regulatory frameworks in Nigeria.
- Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.
- Ability to work with multi-stakeholder environments, including local communities, government agencies, and investors.
- High ethical standards and sound judgment.
- Will
Preferred Attributes:
- Deep understanding of agricultural value chains, land tenure systems, and sustainability standards (e.g., RSPO).
- Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); additional membership of ICSAN, IBA, or other relevant bodies is a plus.
Job Type: Full-time