In-House Counsel, Legal and Compliance

Objective & Summary:

This job holder will serve as one of the in-house lawyers in the organization reporting to the Vice President, Legal Services and Head of Department providing strategic legal guidance while managing legal risk across all aspects of the company's operations. This role ensures legal compliance while supporting business growth and creative excellence in the Nigerian market.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Legal Department Leadership and delegated Secretarial Responsibilities

• Build and manage the internal legal and outside counsel relationships.
  
• Develop legal department strategies, policies, and budgets.
  
• Preparing and maintaining, legal templates, precedents, and specimen clauses for use in contracts, side letters, guidelines, and other legal agreements.
  
• Support in the management of contentious legal issues (e.g. complex complaints, litigation matters, etc) and liaising with external legal advisors.
  
• Building on and maintaining (or updating where required), compliance framework (people, systems, policies, and processes).
  
• Safe custody of the company's Corporate documentation.
  
• Correspondence keeping and maintenance of a filing and documentation system.
  
• Act as may be delegated as secretary for various committees formed by the organisation as assigned.
  

 2. Contract Management

• Oversee the drafting, negotiation and review of all client service agreements, vendor contracts, partnership agreements, and employment contracts.
  
• Monitor contracts and documentation to closure and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
  
• Develop and maintain standard contract templates while managing complex custom agreements for major accounts.
  

3. Advertising and Compliance

• Monitor changes in relevant legislation and regulatory environment advise Management and take appropriate action.
  
• Give advisory input on company executions to ensure compliance with Nigerian laws and regulations, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) guidelines and other industry relevant guidelines.
  
• Provide guidance on intellectual property rights, agreements, social media policies, and promotional campaigns.
  
• In conjunction with the Head of Department, lead the preparation, development, and implementation of compliance reporting for various governance groups (including the Board of Directors), and coordinating the delivery of actions and required outputs, including requisite compliance investigations.
  

4. Risk Management and Corporate Governance

• Develop and implement risk management strategies to protect the company's interests.
  
• Manage corporate governance matters including board meetings, corporate records, and regulatory filings with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other agencies.
  

5. Employment and Labour Law

• Partner with Human Resources to handle employment matters including policy development, workplace investigations, and resolution of disputes in accordance with Nigerian Labour Law.
  
• Ensure compliance with the Labour Act and other relevant employment regulations.
  

6. Intellectual Property Management

• Protect the company's intellectual property portfolio through registration with the Nigerian Trademark Registry and Copyright Commission.
  
• Manage IP registration and enforcement.
  
• Advise on licensing agreements and content rights management.
  

7. Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor changes in telecommunications policies, privacy, and data protection regulations within Nigeria.
  
• Develop compliance programmes and provide training to ensure adherence to applicable laws including the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and industry-specific regulations.
  
• Ensure business activities are conducted in conformity with all applicable laws, regulations, internal policies and procedures.
  
• Protecting the interests of the business and shareholders by providing legal guidance, corporate governance, and advice on compliance matters to the Board and Management.
  
• Other duties as may be assigned.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognized Nigerian university.
  
• Completion of the Nigerian Law School program and Call to the Nigerian Bar.
  
• Current practicing license from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
  
• Minimum of 3-5 years post-call experience, with at least 3 years in telecommunications law or a related field.
  
• Valid NBA membership and good standing.
  
  

• Strong understanding of Nigerian communications and telecommunications laws, including compliance with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulations.
  
• Expertise in contract law, intellectual property law, employment law, and corporate governance within the telecom industry.
  
• Proven experience managing complex commercial transactions and regulatory compliance within the Nigerian market.
  
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to provide strategic legal advice.
  
• Business acumen with a strong ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
  
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple legal matters, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  

• Experience handling telecom-related dispute resolution, arbitration, and regulatory investigations.
  
• Familiarity with data protection laws (e.g., NDPR, GDPR) and their application in the telecom industry.
  
• Knowledge of international telecom laws and cross-border transactions is an added advantage.
  
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience liaising with regulatory bodies, industry associations, and government agencies.
  
• Proficiency in English is required; fluency in major Nigerian languages is an advantage.
  
• Tech-savviness and familiarity with digital transformation, fintech, and emerging trends in telecommunications law.
  

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance (HMO)
  
• Paid Leave
  
• Group Life Insurance
  
• Hybrid work model
  
• Professional Development Reimbursement