Head of Legal & Compliance at Trustcrow

Trustcrow is a Lagos-based fintech company that specializes in a B-to-B digital escrow platform. The company escrows funds between transacting parties until agreed goods, services, or assets are delivered. This safeguards buyers from sell-side performance default and safeguards sellers from buy-side payment default. The platform eliminates the purchasers exposure to making advance payments prior to the receipt of goods/services and eliminates the sellers exposure to delivering goods/services before payment. By using a trusted intermediary, users benefit from increased transparency, protection, and efficiency. Trustcrow is a USA-registered company with operations in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Head of Legal & Compliance

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

• As Head of Legal and Compliance, your #1 priority is to keep Trustcrow out of legal dilemma. Thus, it is important to understand the company’s business model, the implied risks, and the required risk mitigation strategies and policies.
• You are responsible for ensuring that Trustcrow team members comply with outside regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• You will be responsible for the corporate governance procedures ensuring each department has properly documented control procedures in place and that these are updated appropriately. You will also be providing legal and governance support to the management team who is responsible for leading the company.
• As we grow into new markets, you will work on compliance with local legislation where necessary. The candidate will be responsible for identifying legislation that impacts Trustcrow and ensuring compliance with it.
• This position will report directly to the CEO and it is anticipated that there will be travel involved.
• Trustcrow is a startup technology company. Characteristics of a startup include but are not limited to being fast-paced, uncertain, flexible, experimental, and grit.
• The successful candidate will marry these characteristics and be able to provide solutions for different business needs while exhibiting good management skills and a strong understanding of the company’s products and services.

Responsibilities

• Manage Trustcrow’s day-to-day legal and administrative activities.
• Create, implement, administer, and enforce policies, procedures and rules required for Trustcrow to operate in accordance with the law and regulations.
• Develop an internal framework for maintaining compliance across all departments.
• Establish and update compliance manuals.
• Drafting and negotiating simple and complex contracts including but not limited to those related to partnerships with third parties.
• Advising on general business law issues and managing legal issues including but not limited to corporate matters, information technology, IP rights, procurement, regulation, tax considerations and governance.
• Advising on data protection and privacy matters. Responsible for data protection compliance including policy updates, data audits, data breach processes, writing and issuing privacy notices
• Keep up to date with, and understand, relevant laws and regulations, monitor compliance with laws, regulations and internal policies.
• Educate team members on not only legal requirements and best practices, but also the impact on the organization if these aren't complied with.
• Report back to business functions on current risk and compliance performance, highlighting or escalating areas of concern and contribute to robust and effective compliance controls within the organization.
• Review marketing materials, presentations, and websites to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Assist in the gathering of internal information in response to regulatory requests.
• Perform various general administrative duties (such as file creation and maintenance of ongoing legal/administrative projects).
• Collaborate with other departments to create a culture of compliance.
• Where appropriate, appoint, brief, manage and oversee external legal advisors. Liaise with Trustcrow’s external lawyers and Clients.
• Convene annual general meetings (AGM)/meetings (producing agendas, taking minutes; conveying decisions etc.
• Provide support to committees and working parties such as the Board of Directors etc.
• Keeping a register of shareholders and liaise with them on behalf of the company.
• Identify, assess, and monitor risks associated with all activities and provide appropriate treatment plans for them.
• Manage the legal budget, approving expenditure and highlighting where there's a risk of exceeding budget.
• Maintain a contract library for all supplier contracts.
• Oversee the ongoing management of the organization’s risk register, ensuring this is regularly reviewed and updated.
• Build and maintain relationship with government officials and third parties: initiate or attend meeting with external parties and share any update with legal department, Internal departments and management teams, visit to relevant authority or third party for clarification and documentation.
• Any other duties as assigned or required by the company or the group.
• This list is not exhaustive, and any other tasks/duties directed by CEO that will form part of this job description.

Requirements

• University Degree in Law or a related field (post-graduate education with a focus on compliance and risk management is preferred)
• 10+ years of post-bar experience in legal and financial services, regulatory compliance, AML and risk management role
• Experience working in a law firm, registrar or fintech company will be considered a big advantage for this role
• Strong legal experience in corporate and commercial matters with significant experience of advising on complex legal issues and comfortable providing understandable, accurate and timely advice on a very wide-ranging and changing set of issues.
• Excellent problem solving, analytical and business intelligence skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects adhering to logistics, timescales and deadlines.
• IT literate – MS Office (including Word, Excel and Outlook);
• Self-motivated and takes initiative with strong attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills; delivering on deadlines and to budget.
• Must have a working knowledge of investor relations function.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience of compliance in a multi-jurisdiction environment is preferable.
• Experience of working in an organization with the ability to engage in detail of operational implementation as well as taking a strategic view.
• Demonstrable experience/understanding of advising managers on the key risks inherent within complex contracts.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and authoritatively to a diverse audience, and to explain complex regulatory legislation and principles.
• Expert negotiation skills with the ability to manage relationships with diplomacy and tact.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times and ensure that confidential data is handled in a sensitive manner.
• Experience of developing systems, designing processes and leading change.
• Able to work in partnership and with people at all levels, demonstrating strong skills in networking and influencing.

Application Closing Date
3rd November, 2023.