Legal Department Head

Key facts

About the role

Highlights

• Location: Addis Ababa
• Employment Type: Permanent
• Salary: Negotiable / Attractive
• Guarantor Requirement: Selected candidates must provide a sufficient guarantor in accordance with company requirements.
• Application Period: Within 15 consecutive working days from the date of the vacancy announcement.
• Responsibilities
• Maintain legal records and support management in protecting the Group’s legal interests.
• Coordinate litigation, disputes, claims, and external legal counsel when required.
• Monitor legal and regulatory compliance and advise management on potential legal risks.
• Review and draft contracts, agreements, legal correspondence, and other corporate documents.
• Provide legal advice and support to management and business units.
• Legal Department Leadership
• Lead and oversee the legal department’s operations and activities.
• Provide strategic direction, guidance, and support to the legal team.
• Legal Strategy Development
• Develop and implement legal strategies aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Ensure legal strategies support business continuity, growth, and organizational interests.
• Contract Management
• Oversee the drafting, review, negotiation, and execution of contracts and legal agreements.
• Ensure contracts comply with applicable legal requirements and effectively mitigate legal and commercial risks.
• Risk Assessment
• Identify and assess legal risks associated with business operations and strategic decisions.
• Develop and implement appropriate legal risk-mitigation strategies.
• Litigation Management
• Manage and oversee legal disputes, claims, and litigation proceedings.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and other relevant parties when necessary.
• Corporate Governance
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance principles and applicable legal requirements.
• Advise executive leadership and the Board of Directors on legal and governance matters.
• Compliance Programs
• Develop and implement legal and regulatory compliance programs.
• Conduct or coordinate regular compliance reviews and audits.
• Employee Relations
• Provide legal guidance on employment and labor-related matters.
• Support the resolution of employee-related legal issues and disputes.
• Legal Training
• Provide legal training and awareness programs to employees on relevant legal matters.
• Promote awareness of applicable legal standards, policies, and best practices.
• Government Relations
• Manage relationships with government agencies, regulatory authorities, and other relevant institutions.
• Represent the organization in regulatory and legal matters as required.
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Provide legal counsel on mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and other strategic transactions.
• Conduct or coordinate legal due diligence and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Intellectual Property Management
• Oversee the protection, registration, and management of the organization’s intellectual property.
• Ensure compliance with applicable intellectual property laws and regulations.
• Legal Budget Oversight
• Develop and manage the legal department’s budget.
• Optimize legal resources and control departmental costs.
• Crisis Management
• Provide legal support during organizational crises and critical situations.
• Develop and implement crisis management plans addressing legal and regulatory considerations.
• Stakeholder Communication
• Communicate legal updates, risks, and recommendations to executive leadership and relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other departments to identify and address legal implications of business activities and decisions.
• Training and Development
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and professional development opportunities for legal team members.
• Stay informed about changes in legislation, regulations, legal practices, and emerging legal risks.
• Ad Hoc Responsibilities
• Undertake additional legal responsibilities and tasks as assigned by executive leadership.
• Support other legal, governance, compliance, and organizational initiatives as required.

Required qualifications

• Education
• Bachelor's Degree/Master's: Law LLB
• Experience
• 5–7+ years of experience in the sector
• International Law, and other Public Laws
• Human Rights Law, International Law,
• In–depth knowledge of country substantive and procedural Laws
• Familiarity with Ethiopian commercial law, labor law, and regulatory frameworks
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopian tax laws and regulations.
• Law or an LL.M in Criminal Justice, Criminal Law,
• Law Firm Operations

How to apply