Latest Vacancies at Lafarge Africa Plc

About the Job

• The Senior Legal Counsel will provide support to Lafarge Africa Plc, its subsidiaries and business operations: Lafarge Africa Plc, Ashakacem Limited, Watsila Limited, Geocycle operations, Readymix operations and Mortar operations. He/she will also assist the Company Secretary on company secretarial matters, contract drafting and review, litigation & claims and compliance.

What you’ll be doing

Contract Management

• Review and advice on all Court Processes, summons, civil, criminal and legal proceedings at all levels including Magistrate, Federal, State High Courts, Court of Appeal and Supreme court;
• Build relationships and communicate with internal clients;
• Conduct legal research and analysis of legal problems;
• Analyze the probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents;
• Identify implications for cases from legal precedents or other legal sources;
• Examine information to determine the possibility of defending or prosecuting lawsuits;
• Research relevant legal materials to aid decision making;
• Evaluate findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation
• Review legal documents and matters relating to police and enforcement agencies;
• Proffer and implement legal, practicable and workable solutions to mitigate legal risks, disputes/public complaints while upholding the Company’s legal position and reputation consistent with the values and ethics of Holcim Group;
• Assist to obtain necessary permits and requisite licenses to operate Plants at different locations;
• Attend Court proceedings and give advice to prosecutors as the case may be;
• Proactively prevent litigation and initiate conciliation proceedings and/or litigation when required;

Business Partnering

• To assume the role of the Business Partner to provide legal advisory to the Cement, Ready Mix and Geocycle operations of the Company;
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and any other statutes that may come into effect;
• Assist to provide legal advisory and opinions to the business operations;
• Provide legal support to ensure good and solid relationships with all stakeholders;
• Conduct regular legal risk assessment of the Cement, Ready Mix and Geocycle operations and proffer legal recommendations;
• To keep abreast of all relevant laws and any other statutes that may come into effect and to formulate strategies/action plans to communicate and ensure compliance by the organization;
• Provide proactive legal counsel on compliance, corporate governance and other relevant information/matters; – Assist to obtain necessary permits and requisite licenses to operate Plants at different locations;
• Render legal opinion and give advice to other departments whenever required;
• Provide legal advisory to the whole spectrum of the business in procurement, supply, distribution, agency, production, marketing, logistics, finance and commercial, employment matters, compliance, innovation, etc.
• Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of action have been taken;
• Provide timely legal advice on competition, labor and all other commercial law

Corporate Governance & Company Secretariat

• Assist the Company Secretary to prepare for quarterly Board & Committee meetings and as the need arises;
• Attend Board & Committee meetings and draft the minutes of meetings;

Commercial & Contract Management

• To structure complex transactions to achieve the Company’s objectives;
• Develop structured contractual frameworks;
• Assist in creating standard templates for contracts relevant to the manufacturing sector: technical services, contracts with foreign partners, engineering works, tenancy/lease Agreements, supply of mechanical parts for plants, supplies, consultancies, maintenance agreements, service contracts, warrantees, Insurance, Performance Bonds. This would improve our turnaround time for delivering contracts. Also include Safety, determination and commencement clauses, country of arbitration best for the company in all cases etc;
• Prepare, draft and vet all agreements and liaise with the Group Legal, when necessary;
• Manage and liaise with external legal counsel for legal opinion and external representation where need be;
• Draft Lease/Tenancy Agreements and Confirm Performance Bonds;
• Review all Mortgage, Debenture and Contractual Agreements;
• Provide legal protection and risk management advice to management especially on contract management;
• Assist with negotiation and finalization of all agreements;
• Ensure appropriate contracts are in place for all business relationships in line with the Contracts Management policy and procedures;
• Manage the end-to-end Contract Management System;
• Conduct quarterly risk legal assessment of the Company and proffer legal recommendations;
• Conduct due diligence in structuring commercial transactions;
• Reviewing contracts to highlight key obligations to end users and monitor end user implementation and performance of signed contracts.
• Ensure contract obligations are clearly understood by end users and accurately implemented.
• Visit project sites to monitor contract implementation and identify opportunities to improve contracting practices and processes and devise plans to implement these changes.
• Supervising contract execution to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Studying the requirements, duties and obligations of the company under contracts to ensure alignment with the company’s goals and relevant regulations.
• Meet regularly with project managers and contract end users to discuss contract matters and provide practical solutions.
• Maintain excellent working relationship with contract end users to ensure their needs are met with respect to contract drafting quality.
• Provide advice and guidance on contracts drafting, review and negotiation.
• Ensuring contract terms comply with the company’s policies and procedures.
• Investigating and addressing contract issues.

Compliance

• Conduct Legal Risk, Compliance and Code of Business Conduct trainings among others;
• Liaise with the General Counsel to ensure that the Cement, Ready Mix and Geocycle Operations complies with Internal control processes and procedures in accordance with the Minimum Control Standards, International Legal Reporting Process, as well as the Nigerian corporate governance rules;
• Closely follow up on antitrust and competition law issues and keep the Company constantly informed;
• Annually cascade Lafarge Code of Business Conduct and Competition Compliance Programs to existing and new employees;
• Initiate and Implement the Document Retention Policy for filing and archiving of documents;
• This list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and the job holder may be required to perform duties outside of this as operationally required

Who you’ll be working with

• Legal advisory and support, contract drafting and vetting, compliance monitoring, statutory filings, record keeping, legal risk and compliance trainings, etc.:

List of direct reports:

• None

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:

• The incumbent interacts regularly with all cadres of staff.
• He/she also interacts regularly with shareholders, regulators/governmental agencies and the Board as required.

Key Performance Indicators

• Providing of legal advice and legal support to the Business units
• Vetting and drafting of contracts
• Compliance, risk, contract and legal management
• Legal and business negotiation
• Attend to customer disputes and other service complaint issues.

What we are looking for

• LL.B, BL
• Minimum of 5 years post call with at least 3 years’ cognate experience.
• Work experience in a multinational business environment or commercial law firm will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and codes of good practice
• Knowledge of current legal, statutory and regulatory issues
• Excellent relationship management skills
• Good IT skills and computer literacy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize with excellent time management skills
• Good attention to detail

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About the Job

• To manage Lafarge Africa Plc’s Corporate Affairs in AshakaCem and the North-east: To ensure the Company’s corporate image and interests are safeguarded at all times. Manage projects such as AshakaCem Agricultural project and Project Alhairi on affordable housing in the North-eastern states of Nigeria.

What you’ll be doing 

• The job holder is responsible for the development, influence, management and implementation strategies and tactics to lobby the State Governments in North-east to achieve suitable changes in Industrial & other policies, procedures, taxes and duties
• Strive to remove regulatory & political obstacles to business development
• Influence regulations that would stimulate demand growth through macro initiatives like construction of concrete roads, development of world-class infrastructure, ports & airports, low cost housing
• Have good understanding of issues and policies that could affect LafargeHolcim operations in AshakaCem and the North-east
• Develop, maintain and drive strategies to ensure beneficial relationships with key officials of government with a view to deriving business benefits for the company.
• Provide advice and make recommendations to the Company on internal processes and policies that will ensure consistent compliance to government policies and regulations.
• Coordinate the Company’s inputs to bills and proposed Policies by the Legislative and Executive at the states or otherwise secure beneficial sectorial and overall public policy, regulations and other outcomes from the three tiers of Government:
• Institute processes to ensure continuous monitoring, identification and coordination of inputs to Bills and policies proposed by government at all three tiers with a view to harnessing opportunities and mitigating risks to company therein.
• Proactively develop engagement strategies that will enable the company access benefits in government policies and laws.
• Identify and develop beneficial relationships with relevant public offices whose activities impact on the company’s Nigeria business.
• Engage relevant Ministries, departmental and Agencies (MDAs) whose activities impact on the Company’s operations to secure favorable policies, regulations and other outcomes
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic external stakeholders, especially government functionaries to the benefit of the company.
• Monitor and contribute to strategic initiatives of pan regional bodies such as ECOWAS.
• Coordinate the activities of Regional Regulatory personnel
• Ensure compliance to applicable government policy and monitor availability of all relevant documentations to meet compliance requirements.
• Institute, coordinate and drive organizational processes that will ensure the company’s compliance to environmental prescriptions.

Public Policy Advocacy & Development

• Building & Maintaining Lafarge Image o Improve Lafarge Nigeria Corporate Relations with the North-eastern States and Local Governments in order to apply & receive approvals & licenses on a continued basis for smooth operations in all existing operations including factory and market place o Support to maintain close relationship with the Governors, Ministries and other Government

Community Relations

• Ensure and co-ordinate peaceful Community relations Organise and Support AshakaCem operations and North-east
• Coordinate with corporate & public affairs functions in various operations
• Key contact to resolve issues with stakeholders, etc

What we are looking for

• University degree in any discipline
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and manage staff.
• Strong strategic and business planning skills.
• Ability to plan and execute PR/Public affairs strategies.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively regarding the long-term development of an
• Organisation’s PR and public affairs work.
• Ability to produce high quality written reports on information and publishing for internal management purposes and for trustees.
• Good IT skills and computer literacy.
• Flexible approach to work and highly organised working practices.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to understand complex health-related and medical issues quickly.
• Ability to plan, execute and evaluate social media campaigns.
• An understanding of the value of good information and support services.
• A commitment to equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practices

Leadership and managerial abilities:

• Works effectively in teams, builds team spirit and shows care and consideration for individuals.
• Adhering to principles and values
• Upholds ethics and values, acts with integrity and promotes equal opportunities in a confident and relaxed manner.
• Relating and networking Establishes effective relationships with customers and staff, networks
• Effectively within and without the organisation and relates well to individuals at all levels.
• Persuading and influencing
• Makes a strong impression on others, gains agreement and commitment through persuasion and negotiation.
• Manages conflict effectively.

Deadline: Not Stated

How to Apply: Interested applicants should use the links below to apply: