Company Legal Officer

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 Legal advisory Timely and accurate response to legal requests Contract management Percentage of assigned contracts reviewed within agreed timelines Loan recovery Value recovered through legal intervention against approved targets Litigation management Timely handling of cases and reduction in avoidable legal exposure Regulatory compliance Timely resolution of assigned legal compliance issues Disciplinary support Quality and procedural compliance of legal advice Legal reporting Submission of complete monthly reports Legal risk management Early identification and resolution of material legal risks Cost management Effective monitoring and control of external legal expenses Management will agree specific performance targets. Qualifications and Experience Educational Requirements Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognised university. Barrister-at-Law (B.L.) qualification from the Nigerian Law School Additional qualifications or training in corporate law, banking and finance, regulatory compliance, or dispute resolution is an advantage. Professional Experience Minimum of 3 - 5 years of relevant post-call legal experience. Experience in a microfinance institution, financial-services organisation, bank, corporate legal department or reputable law firm is preferred. Practical experience in debt recovery, litigation, contract drafting and employment law. Good understanding of Nigerian financial-services regulation and commercial law. Experience managing external solicitors and legal proceedings will be an advantage. Required Skills and Competencies Strong legal research, drafting and analytical skills. Excellent knowledge of Nigerian commercial and corporate law. Good understanding of loan documentation, debt recovery and dispute resolution. Strong negotiation and communication skills. Ability to exercise sound professional judgement independently. High integrity, confidentiality, and professional ethics. Strong organisational and case-management skills. Ability to work under pressure and manage competing deadlines. Commercial awareness and a practical, solution-oriented approach. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic document-management systems. Personal Attributes The ideal candidate must be: Proactive: Able to identify legal risks before they become serious problems. Independent: Capable of giving objective legal advice, including when it challenges Management decisions. Firm but fair: Able to protect the organisation's interests without compromising legal or ethical standards. Accountable: Takes ownership of assigned matters and follows them through to resolution. Business-oriented: Understands that legal services should support sustainable business operations while ensuring compliance. Confidential: Demonstrates discretion when handling sensitive organisational, customer and employee information. Authority and Accountability The Company Legal Officer shall: Provide independent professional legal advice within the scope of the role. Request relevant documentation from departments for authorised legal reviews. Recommend legal action, settlements and external counsel engagement for Management approval. Escalate significant legal, regulatory or reputational risks promptly. Maintain professional confidentiality and comply with applicable legal and ethical obligations. The Legal Officer shall not independently approve financial settlements, initiate material litigation expenditure or commit the organisation to contractual liabilities beyond delegated authority. Standard Life Organization is an equal-opportunity employer committed to professionalism, integrity, accountability and responsible financial services.