Head of Legal

Job Title: Head of Legal

Location: Nairobi Kenya

Industry: Financial Services / Credit / Microfinance

Job Summary

The Head of Legal will provide overall leadership and direction for the legal function ensuring the organization operates within the law while minimizing risk and supporting strategic business objectives. The role oversees legal advisory corporate governance contract management regulatory compliance litigation management debt recovery support and policy ideal candidate is a seasoned legal professional with strong experience in financial services lending credit operations and regulatory frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal Advisory & Compliance

• Provide legal advice to management and all departments on matters relating to operations strategy and risk.
• Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws regulations and industry standards including Data Protection CBK guidelines (where applicable) Employment Law and Credit Market regulations.
• Advise on legal implications of new business initiatives and product development.
  

2. Contract Drafting & Review

• Draft review and negotiate commercial contracts service-level agreements loan agreements NDAs supplier contracts and partnership agreements.
• Ensure that contractual terms protect the organization from legal operational and financial risks.
• Maintain an updated contract repository and renewal calendar.
  

3. Litigation & Dispute Resolution

• Oversee management of all litigation matters including debt recovery commercial disputes and employment-related cases.
• Liaise with external counsel provide instructions and monitor case progress to ensure cost-effective outcomes.
• Support internal teams on dispute resolution and ensure timely filing documentation and representation.

4. Corporate Governance

• Ensure the organization operates within strong governance structures aligned with regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Prepare and review board papers resolutions and minutes while providing legal guidance to senior leadership.
• Ensure statutory filings and company secretarial functions are up to date (if applicable to role).

5. Debt Recovery & Credit Risk Support

• Provide legal guidance on debt recovery strategies restructuring security perfection and enforcement processes.
• Oversee preparation of demand letters settlement agreements and security documentation (charges guarantees chattel mortgages etc.).
• Advise on legal risks associated with lending and credit operations.

6. Policy Development & Risk Management

• Develop review and update internal policies SOPs and compliance frameworks.
• Identify potential legal risks and recommend corrective action.
• Conduct internal legal training for staff on compliance legal awareness and regulatory changes.
  

7. Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement

• Maintain strong relationships with regulators government agencies external lawyers and strategic partners.
• Represent the organization in negotiations meetings and external forums as required.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized institution.
• Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practicing certificate.
• Minimum 710 years of professional legal experience with at least 35 years in a senior or managerial role.
• Experience in financial services banking microfinance credit fintech or related sectors is highly preferred.
  
  Strong experience in:
• Contract drafting and negotiation
• Regulatory compliance
• Litigation management
• Credit and debt recovery processes
• Corporate governance and company secretarial functions
  

Key Skills & Competencies

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong negotiation and drafting abilities.
• High integrity confidentiality and professional ethics.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple priorities.