About US:
The Agricultural Business Initiative (aBi) Trust is a multi- donor entity jointly founded by the Governments of Denmark and Uganda to support private sector led agricultural development to achieve the objective of the Government of Uganda’s Competitiveness and investment Climate Strategy (CICS). The mandate of aBi Trust is to support the private sector actors to increase their contribution to the agricultural sector by increasing land and labour productivity, and market competitiveness thereby contributing to poverty reduction through economic growth, wealth, and employment creation. aBi Trust strengthens competitiveness of the Agricultural and Agro-processing sectors through two (2) interrelated components: Value Chain Development (VCD) including trade-related Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary and Quality Management Systems (SPS/QMS) and Financial Services Development (FSD).
Job Summary: The Legal and Compliance Manager will support aBi Trust through the provision of legal advisory services and ensuring effective management of legal and contractual risks. The primary duty will be to ensure that the employees, management and the aBi boards comply with the rules and regulations, that aBi policies and procedures are being followed, and that behavior in the organization meets the aBi’s Code of Ethics. The legal and Compliance Manager will work closely with regulatory bodies and relevant third parties in ensuring that aBi applies the highest level of compliance on all levels. He/she is responsible for the provision of timely advice/guidance to aBi management in order to safeguard the reputation of aBi
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Leadership Duties: The incumbent will be providing leadership and ensure efficient and effective management of staff and resources in the legal and compliance unit
2. Legal Risk:
Regularly review progress of outstanding litigation and liaise with and manage external lawyers;
Guiding and representing aBi in the courts of law in close consultation with aBi’s lawyers;
Review and provide legal advice on tender documents in line with aBi’s procurement policies;
Work closely with aBi Trust and aBi finance departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken;
Offer legal protection and risk management advice to senior management, especially on contract management
Review and counsel management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures;
Review and draft contracts, agreements and internal policies and ensure that they are in compliance with all statutory, tax or legal requirements;
Regularly review all contracts or any other official documentation where the company has committed itself and assess legal implications that need to be brought to the attention of senior management
The incumbent will be in charge of negotiating, reviewing and drafting contracts between aBi on the one hand and IP’s and FI’s on the other hand and modify the contracts where necessary;
3. Compliance:
Responsible for developing, initiating, maintaining, and revising policies and procedures for the general operation of the Compliance Program and its related activities to prevent illegal unethical, or improper conduct.
In charge of developing and periodically reviewing and updating Code of Ethics to ensure continuing relevance in providing guidance to management and employees.
Working collaboratively with other departments (Internal Audit Corporate Services, etc.) to direct compliance issues to appropriate existing channels for investigation and resolution. Consulting with aBi’s lawyers as needed to resolve difficult legal compliance issues.
Responding to alleged violations of rules, regulations, policies and procedures by evaluating or recommending the initiation of investigative procedures.
Acting as an independent review and evaluation body to ensure that compliance issues/concerns within the organization are being appropriately evaluated, investigated and resolved.
In charge of monitoring and as necessary, coordinating compliance activities of other departments to remain abreast of the status of all compliance activities and to identify trends.
Identifying potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; developing/implementing corrective action plans for resolution of problematic issues, and providing general guidance on how to avoid or deal with similar situations in the future.
Submitting and sending reports on a regular basis, and as directed or requested, to keep the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board and senior management informed of the operation and progress of compliance efforts.
Ensuring proper reporting of violations or potential violations to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate and/ or required.
Establishing and providing direction and management of the compliance Hotline.
Instituting and maintaining an effective compliance communication program for the company, including promoting (a) use of the Compliance Hotline; (b) heightened awareness of Code of Ethics, and (c) understanding of new and existing compliance issues and related policies and procedures.
Working with the Corporate Services Department and others as appropriate to develop an effective compliance training program, including appropriate introductory training for new employees as well as ongoing training for all employees and managers.
Responsible for monitoring the performance of the risk management activities on a continuing basis, taking appropriate steps to improve its effectiveness.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The Legal and Compliance Manager must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws and a Master’s degree in laws (LLM) or MBA in a related field.
Post graduate diploma in legal practice.
Holder of legal practicing certificate.
Professional qualification of ICSA, CIA ACCA, or CPA would be an added advantage
At least ten years applicable/transferrable work experience with a proven track record of providing accurate and effective legal counsel.
Significant experience in grants management would be an added advantage.
Excellent track record of developing, implementing and managing compliance monitoring programmes.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of risk management.
Articulate, effective communication skills with the ability to communicate to internal and external stakeholders (lawyers, regulators, auditors etc) at all levels.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send their updated resumes with two career references including their contact numbers and copies of academic and professional certificates/ testimonials by email only to: recruitment@qsourcing.com.
NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
Deadline: 10th July 2015.