Head, Legal & Company Secretary at Antal International

Job objective(s)

• The job holder shall serve as the Head of the Legal Department and Company Secretary in the Bank and shall be responsible for the provision of quality legal and corporate counselling and direction on all legal matters pertaining to the Bank as well as attaining the overall objective of the legal Department including the supervision of Legal Officers and a para legal personnel attached to the Department

Duties & Responsibilities

• To provide legal and corporate counseling as well as written legal advice and opinions on all matters pertaining to the Bank
• To co-ordinate the legal affairs of the Bank and administer Company Secretary duties as and when required
• To supervise the Legal Officer in the review of all agreements and other instruments or documents of a legal character on all matters pertaining to the Bank
• To supervise the Recoveries Unit in the development and execution of recovery strategies for customer experiencing repayment distress as well as minimizing the bank’s loss on delinquent facilities through creative and practical recovery mechanisms, devices and solutions
• To delegate or represent the Bank before public and/or bodies for the filing, registration, initialing or recording of any instrument, documents or transaction to which the Bank is a party within the Republic of Ghana
• To maintain a “pool” of External Solicitors for the Bank as suggested and authorized by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, from which external solicitors may be selected in needful cases to represent the Bank in any legal matter within the Republic of Ghana
• In appropriate cases to delegate, liaise directly or otherwise with External Solicitors appointed by the Bank with a view to ensuring effective legal representation of the Bank and the achievement of the corporate objectives of the Bank
• To administer/manage any litigation in which the Bank may be involved and to ensure that the Legal Officer liaise with the external solicitors for the submission of quarterly reports and status briefings on pending cases
• To review and ensure that fees proposed for services rendered by external solicitors are reasonable in all circumstance and thereafter submit for the consideration and approval by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer
• To maintain an up to date law library adequate and well stocked to support the operations of the Bank
• To review on quarterly basis reports on claims & litigations submitted by the Legal Officer as well as status on recoveries from the Recoveries Unit
• To supervise the update at all material times of the validity of collateral documents or instruments held in custody with a view to ensuring uninterrupted enforceability of security when it is due
• To ensure that the Company is in compliance with statutory and legal requirements of banking business
• To act as the Company Secretary to the Management Credit Committee, Credit Review Committee, Executive Committee, Disciplinary Committee, etc and to keep an up to date minutes of proceedings and other related issues
• To carry out such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned or delegated by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer

CHALLENGES

• Inadequate human resources

PLANNING

• Macro: six months; Micro: one week

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Actual vs. Budget
• Technical Knowledge & Competence of designated function
• Legal advice to Management and Business units
• Drafting of legal agreements with special emphasis on loan agreements
• Management of Loan Guarantees/Management of garnishee orders, ATD, requisitions
• Handling of Court litigations
• Support to Recovery Department
• Timely & Quality Organization of AGM and Board Committee meetings
• Management of regulatory and compliance
• Governance Officer activities
• Reporting to various regulatory authorities and Group Office

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Minimum education level –First Degree , with post graduate degree and legal qualifications

Experience

• 8 years post qualification experience of which at least 5 years should have been with a Bank.
• The candidate should also have Company Secretarial experience.

KEY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

• Good and working knowledge of banking regulations and the tax laws in Ghana
• Knowledge & Compliance with corporate policies (in relation to job functions)
• Banking operations, policies and procedures
• Banking organizational structure
• Technical Knowledge
• Cost management

Skill/Competencies

• Technical Knowledge & Competence of designated function
• Highly meticulous and attention to details
• Innovation and creativity in solving legal problems
• Good analytical skills required
• Good Leadership abilities
• Professional disposition
• Problem Solving skills
• Business Awareness
• Decision Making
• Multitasking