The Corporation Secretary & Legal Officer provides legal advisory and support services to the Board of Directors and Management of CIC Africa (Uganda) Limited and its subsidiaries. The role entails the provision of secretarial services, legal advice, and ensuring statutory compliance and management of the litigation function of the company.

Job description

The Company Secretary/ Legal Officer will:

1. Provide secretarial services to the Board including ensuring that the Board work plan is prepared and adhered to, circulating board papers in advance of the meeting, keeping a record of attendance at meetings, keeping safe custody of the seal and a record of its usage, custodian of Board documents such as Board minute books, Board policy documents, register of attendance and prepare the Board for annual general meetings where applicable;
2. Deal with correspondence, collate information and write reports, ensure Board decisions are communicated to Management and stakeholders;
3. Provide administrative support and guide the Board on the management of the Company including compliance with legal and statutory requirements;
4. Ensure that the minutes of the Board and Board Committees are promptly prepared and circulated;
5. Assist the Chairperson in organizing Board activities, including providing information, preparing agenda, issuing notices, and preparing for meetings and board development programs;
6. Contribute to Board discussions as and when required and advise Directors on the legal and governance policy frameworks;
7. Negotiate and review contracts, agreements, leases, and concessions and consult with other departments to ensure that the Company’s interests are protected;
8. Ensure that the Company complies with the regulatory environment affecting its operations by liaising with the Government and regulatory bodies.
9. Ensure ownership rights of all Company assets and registration of title to all Company properties, together with safe custody thereof;
10. Carry out legal audits on operations of the Company including due diligence in order to recommend improvement, feedback, and compliance;

Assist the Board in carrying out the following:

1. Board induction and training;
2. Updating the Board and Committee charters;
3. Preparation of Board work plans;
4. Board evaluation;
5. Legal and Compliance Audit;
6. Governance audit; and
7. Implementation of the code of conduct and ethics.
8. Maintain and update the register of conflicts of interest;
9. Ensure that Board members are aware of all relevant laws affecting the organization;
10. Ensure that annual returns are promptly filed with the relevant authorities;
11. Ensure that the Board and Committee papers are circulated in advance of any meeting;
12. Advise on legal matters and manage the litigation function of the Authority;
13. Initiate development of legal strategies for management of disputes; and
14. Coordinate legal support in the preparation of legal documents, contracts, leases, and other related documents.

Key Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate must have:

1. Bachelor of Law Degree from a recognized institution of higher learning. A Master’s Degree in Law is an added advantage;
2. Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
3. Have a Minimum of five (5) years practical and relevant working experience;
4. Be admitted as an Advocate of the High Court
5. Be a Certified Public Secretary,
6. Be Member of the Law Society
7. Valid Practicing Certificate is an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strategic thinker with exceptional analytical skills and ability to identify with precision critical factors of a problem in an impartial and objective way
• Strong leadership skills
• Good negotiations skills;
• An eye for detail;
• A team player and Ability to meet strict deadlines.