Legal Advisor

Brief Role Description

To manage the Legal Department matters relating to the African Region. This comprises Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Eswatini) and North Africa. The role is to provide expert, efficient and cost effective legal services in all fields of the law (excluding Labour Law) by rendering legal services, giving advice, negotiating disputes, drafting agreements and other documents, participating in internal specialist committees, remaining abreast of the law, providing general legal support to all user areas, by appointing external legal service providers and by engaging with the authorities, suppliers, contractors, service providers and other parties (as and when required).

Possible Tasks within this Role

- To support the African Region in all legal matters, to find the most effective solutions for the business.
- To determine the most suitable legal entity structures in the various African Region markets within which the company is active or intends to enter.
- To comment, draft and finalise various commercial agreements ranging from Importer, Distributor, Dealer and Assembly Agreements to goods/services being provided, sponsorships/trade exchanges, training, funding/grants, loans, sales, partnership, etc. This is done to ensure that risks, liability and deliverables are carefully dealt with.
- To provide legal and business advice, as well as support, to ensure that the business and Group Organisational Directives are complied with.
- To offer legal and business guidance, ensuring that the company and its various business enterprises comply with legislation relevant to daily operations’
- To remain abreast of legal developments in general and within the Motor Industry in particular (new or amended). This enables the company to create awareness, ensure internal compliance and provide training in relation to significant legislation. It also allows timeous reporting to the Board of Management.
- To participate in specialist committees to promote synergies within the organization and in relation to consultants on a pro-active basis.
- To represent the company in automotive and other relevant legal forums on shared interests, particularly regarding new legislation, while avoiding any competition law implications.
- To oversee and manage litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings involving the company, with assistance from external legal professionals, aiming to prevent or minimize negative publicity and reputational damage. This role also promotes cost-effective dispute resolution while preserving, as much as possible, positive relationships with suppliers and providers. To protect intellectual property of the Group.
- To support the Integrity, Risk and Compliance Department as and when necessary.
- To identify training requirements relevant to the field of law and Group directives and to present such relevant training within the business.
- To support the training department when developing training modules relevant to the various fields of law.
- To meet with and co-operate with Group colleagues and colleagues from related subsidiaries as and when needed.
- To ensure that in all activities of the Legal Department, its representatives act ethically to uphold and promote the reputation of the business in every respect.
- To act as an office of record in relation to legal matters.
- To do presentations, as necessary.
- To assist the company as determine

Qualification requirements

- LLB. Post-Graduate qualifications in the various fields of commercial law are recommended.
- Articles
- Admission as an Attorney/Advocate

Experience needed

A minimum of 8 to 10 years in commercial law (post admission) or a minimum of 8 years relevant working experience, preferably in the Automotive or related industries

Essentials

- A good understanding of corporate, commercial and contract law in general, with strength in relation to Corporate, Competition, Consumer Protection, Data Protection law.
- Knowledge of Intellectual Property legislation (e.g. Trade Marks, Copyright, Design) will be an advantage.
- Highly analytical and decision-making skills.
- Knowledge of the legislative framework affecting the Motor Industry and Business in general.
- Knowledge and experience of the Automotive Industry, specifically commercial and related fields.
- Good interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to exercise independent judgment.
- Ability to perform under pressure.
- High level of computer literacy & ethical values.
- Ability to identify logical and practical solutions when applying the law.
- Ability to deal with cultural diversity.