Legal Officer at LIPTON Teas and Infusions

Purpose of Role 

• To support the General Counsel – East Africa Plantations to provide legal services to the company; business partner management; handle legal related queries on communications, industrial relations, tax, finance and operating subsidiaries and provide support on company secretarial duties. 

Accountabilities

Legal

• Identify legal risks and helps the business navigate them, providing legally compliant creative solutions which deliver competitive advantage to the business objectives taking into account compliance, reputation, cost, risk and other consequences. 
• Advise various functions: General Management, Operations, HR, Finance, Supply Chain, Engineering and R&D on statutory obligations under the relevant legal Acts, associated legislation and regulations relating to matters such as governance frameworks.
• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant external contacts (e.g. external lawyers, registrars, regulators, external bodies etc);
• Review legal contracts and other legal documents when required.
• Manage records of contracts, land documents, litigation files & other legal documents deposited with Legal department for safekeeping.
• Litigation support - representation of the Company at court sessions and follow up of external advocates to deliver value for legal fees paid.
• Facilitate appropriate legal documentation and witnesses for the litigation process and, responsible for litigation update reports.
• Facilitate the availability of laws and regulations relevant to company operations, research and review laws and regulations regulating the company, advise on all changes to laws and regulations.
• Manage the company’s lease portfolio, alert the relevant functions on expiry of leases, facilitate renewal and termination of leases, and facilitate payment of rent and rates.

Company Secretary

• Provide company secretarial services to the business and ensure proper governance of all entities.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, reporting requirements and disclosures for listed companies.
• Preparing Board resolutions and minutes of Board meetings and Annual General Meetings.  
• Advising the finance team on the reporting requirements and disclosures required under the Companies Act and other relevant laws.
• Organizing the company and subsidiary’s Board meetings as well as Board Committee Meetings. 
• Ensure filing of Annual Returns, and resolutions relating to appointment and resignation of Directors and Secretaries. 
• Update Company Registers and manage the use of the Company Seal.

Qualifications and Experience Required 

• A graduate of Law (LLB) 
• Call to Bar (Member of Law Society of Kenya with current practicing certificate)
• Relevant years post- call experience in Corporate/Commercial Law practice or related job experience
• Good communication skills (oral & written)
• Good analytical skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Attention to details
• Above average team skills
• Appetite for learning
• Good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite
• Certified Company Secretary is an added advantage

TRAVEL

• As per the job/site requirements, local travel likely.          

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR   

• Exhibit the LIPTON Teas & Infusions GROW Values