Interswitch is an Africa-focused integrated digital payments and commerce company that facilitates the electronic circulation of money as well as the exchange of value between individuals and organisations on a timely and consistent basis. We started operations in 2002 as a transaction switching and electronic payments processing, and have progressively evolved into an integrated payment services company, building and managing payment infrastructure as well as delivering innovative payment products and transactional services throughout the African continent. At Interswitch, we offer unique career opportunities for individuals capable of playing key roles and adding value in an innovative and fun environment.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Legal Counsel
Location: Lagos
Job Type: Permanent
Department: Group Legal & Compliance
Job Description
To handle legal tasks concerning the Interswitch group covering contracts review, intellectual property protection, litigation management, engagement with law enforcement authorities and other tasks as advised by the Senior Legal Counsel or the Chief Legal and Compliance Officer.
Responsibilities
Attending to assigned legal tasks within agreed OLAs
Processing payments to External Solicitors as agreed in engagement letters to ensure non-interruption of external legal services and prevent reputational risks
Implementing approved intellectual property protection strategies and litigation strategies
Engaging law enforcement authorities concerning criminal matters to ensure the Group’s interest is covered
Preparing monthly and board reports covering legal activities for the defined period
Engaging Company Secretaries for execution of agreements, board resolutions and CAC filings
Covering Board Committee Meetings
Review legal rights and obligations arising from the Company’s relationships with group companies and third parties Legal risk management
Contract management.
Business Continuity Management:
Dispute resolution and dispute avoidance
Collaborate with management to devise efficient defence strategies
Research and evaluate different risk factors regarding business decisions and operations
Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible legal issues
Communicate and negotiate with external parties (regulators, external counsel, public authority etc), creating relations of trust
Review drafts and solidify agreements, contracts and other legal documents to ensure the company’s full legal rights
Deal with complex matters with multiple stakeholders and forces
Provide clarification on legal language or requirements to internal stakeholders
Conduct work with integrity and responsibility
Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation and provide legal opinion on such legislations where necessary
Prepare Board Committee minutes and follow up on reports for Board Committee meetings.
Decisions expected from Role:
Assign tasks to Team Members in absence of Senior Legal Counsel
Initiate the process of payments to Solicitors in accordance with agreed fee structure
Negotiate deviations from standard contract provisions
Recommend external counsel for engagement.
Major Challenges:
Negotiating contracting terms with counterparties across various jurisdictions for ever evolving technology/infrastructure solutions and services
Dealing with novel situations like drafting contracts for novel products, applying existing regulation and providing legal advisory for novel products
Clarifying cyber and electronic crime to law enforcement to pursue recovery
Displaying versatility in providing legal services across the Interswitch group business lines and subsidiaries.
Requirements
First Degree in Law from an accredited university
Certificate of call to the Nigerian Bar
Any other relevant qualification is a plus
A qualified lawyer with up to 5 years legal experience in corporate and commercial transactions
In-house Lawyers with technology companies, or practice lawyers with experience in the technology space would be highly considered.