Legal & Compliance Officer
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Job summary
Legal & Compliance Officer will lead the legal governance and regulatory compliance framework across all Simbaland companies, ensuring that business operations are conducted in full compliance with applicable laws while minimizing legal, financial, and reputational risks.
Min Qualification:
Bachelors
Experience Level:
Mid level
Experience Length:
3 years
Job descriptions & requirements
Department: Legal
Duty Station: Factory in Seeta
Reports To: Country Director
DESCRIPTION
Legal & Compliance Officer will lead the legal governance and regulatory compliance framework across all Simbaland companies, ensuring that business operations are conducted in full compliance with applicable laws while minimizing legal, financial, and reputational risks.
The role goes beyond handling litigation and legal advisory. It establishes legal governance systems, manages regulatory exposure, supervises external legal counsel, and protects the company through proactive risk prevention.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Area & Responsibility
1. Legal Strategy & Corporate Governance
- Provide legal guidance to senior management on corporate, commercial, and operational matters.
- Support corporate governance processes, including Board resolutions, Statutory records, and corporate filings.
- Advise management on legal implications of strategic decisions, investments, partnerships, and major contracts.
2. Contract Governance System
- Establish and manage a Group Contract Management System, including:
- Development of standardized contract templates for procurement, sales, logistics, distribution, and partnerships.
- Establishment of a contract approval and signing authority matrix.
- Maintenance of a centralized contract register and contract lifecycle tracker.
- Legal review of high-value or high-risk commercial agreements.
3. Regulatory Compliance & Government Relations
- Ensure compliance with regulatory authorities, including but not limited to UNBS, NEMA, URA, UIA, and Local municipal authorities.
- Develop and maintain a Group Compliance Calendar tracking license renewals, statutory filings, environmental approvals, and product certifications
- Maintain professional relationships with regulatory authorities and ensure smooth regulatory engagement.
4. Litigation & Dispute Management
- Manage all litigation matters involving Simbaland Group entities.
- Maintain a Group Litigation Register showing case details, financial exposure, legal strategy, and case progress. Work closely with external legal counsel and ensure a defined scope of engagement, cost management, and strategic direction for each case
- Prioritize early dispute resolution and settlement strategies to minimize financial and reputational risks.
5. Internal Investigation & Fraud Control
- Support HR and Finance in the investigation of cases involving employee misconduct, fraud, or financial irregularities, and breach of company policies.
- Help establish an Internal Investigation Framework, ensuring proper evidence documentation, fair disciplinary procedures, and legally defensible decision-making
6. Legal Risk Prevention
- Identify and proactively mitigate legal and regulatory risks.
- Conduct periodic legal risk reviews of business operations.
- Support departments in implementing compliant operational practices
7. Legal Awareness & Compliance Training
- Develop internal legal awareness programs covering: compliance obligations, contractual risks, ethical standards, and anti-fraud practices
- Conduct training sessions for staff where necessary.
KPIs
- Regulatory Compliance Rate – 100%
- Legal Cost Efficiency Reduction of unnecessary external legal expenses.
- Contract Review Efficiency 95% of commercial contracts reviewed within agreed turnaround time.
- Litigation Risk Management Major legal cases tracked with defined strategy and progress reporting.
- Compliance Training Coverage
1. Required Qualifications and Skills
Qualification and Experience
a) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized University, Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, and an active Advocate practicing certificate.
b) Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda.
c) Minimum of 3–5 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 2 years in a senior legal role, preferably with experience in multi-dynamic business operations.
d) Extensive knowledge of Ugandan commercial laws, tax laws, environmental laws, and labor regulations.
Required Skills and Competencies
a) Strong legal drafting and commercial negotiation skills.
b) Ability to lead a team and influence senior management.
c) High level of professionalism and ethical conduct.
d) Strong analytical skills with close attention to detail.
e) Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Supervisory Responsibility: Health & Safety compliance coordination (in collaboration with Operations)
Critical Relationships: (key internal staff to work with to deliver the role):
Internal Relations: Country Director, CEO / Board, Finance Department, Human Resources, and Operations Management
External: Regulatory Authorities, External Legal Counsel
How to Apply:
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