Saroafrica International Limited (‘Saro’) is an indigenous private sector player with 3 decades of experience in Nigeria. Saro has five Subsidiaries (Saro Agrosciences, Saro Lifecare, Saro Agro-Allied, Gossy Warm Spring and Saro Oil Palm) and two Joint Ventures (AgriseedCo and Green Hills Agricultural Products). Saroafrica is set to become a leading consumer, manufacturing, FMCG and integrated agricultural value chain group. In pursuit of this ambition Saroafrica is making significant investment in a Palm Plantation and Cassava to Ethanol Plant.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Legal and Governance Officer

Location: Victoria Island, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• The Legal and Governance Officer (LGO) is responsible for caring out delegated tasks in ensuring that SARO SBUs operate in a legal and ethical manner while achieving their business objectives.
• The LGO will perform legal and governance support services to the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) on policies, guidelines, litigations; prepare and review contract documents and agreements between the SBUs and third parties in the course of their businesses while ensuring that companies are in compliance with statutes and regulations from the regulatory bodies.
• The LGO is also responsible for ensuring that all the activities, transactions and operations of the SBUs are done in line with the applicable laws and monitoring internal governance in the SBUs.

Duties / Responsibilities
Commercial Legal Service:

• Work with Head Legal to manage all Company’s real estate/landed properties – ensure payment of relevant charges, perfection and registration of title for company properties.
• Research on commercial legal advice and solution for different aspects of the business
• Review documents and agreements for all SBUs
• Serves as liaison for all regulatory bodies as well as maintaining relationships with relevant legal bodies and trade associations.
• Keep company’s legal records of commercial agreements, permits, licenses and legal transactions with third parties and notify the Head Legal for prompt renewal of expired contracts.
• Maintain company’s intellectual property rights and trademarks – ensure prompt notification of renewals

Corporate Legal Services

• Review and provide strategic legal advice on documents and issues for all SBU’s
• Review and advise management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures.
• Maintain all company’s corporate books and registers – perform periodic due diligence on operating and non-operating companies, ensure compliance with all returns due to CAC.
• Liaise with Company secretary to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and maintaining a functional Company Secretariat Keep abreast and review of all relevant statutory laws, regulations, regulatory developments and industry initiatives applicable to Saro Group & SBUs, advise management accordingly and ensure compliance.

Dispute Resolution:

• Manage litigation and liaise with external lawyers, review progress of anticipated and outstanding litigation.
• Review ongoing staff cases and advice management accordingly.
• Provide advice on a case-by-case basis on how to manage the cases and claims by third parties. Negotiate with third parties to prevent unwarranted claims.

Governance:

• Ensure strict implementation of Corporate Governance Framework and DOA in line with CAMA 2020
• Monitor compliance with Internal Governance Framework with weekly reporting.

Requirements
Education and Experience:

• The ideal candidate must have obtained at least a Second Class Upper Degree in Law at both University and the Nigerian Law School.
• 2-3 years relevant experience.
• Goods knowledge and use of Microsoft Office packages & ERP systems (Knowledge of Navision& SharePoint will be an added advantage).

Required Skills / Abilities:

• Innovative Leadership
• Time Management
• Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Leadership; Coaching, Delegating and Developing People
• Networks and Alliances
• Managerial Leadership/Talent Management Skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Negotiation Skills.
• Age Requirement: 25 – 30 years old.

Application Closing Date
26th November, 2023.