Position: Legal Advisor (Hybrid Position)
Location: ITHAC Office, Abuja FCT
Employment Type: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days in-office: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 2 days remote: Tuesday and Thursday)
Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
About Us:
Information Technologies Hub and Cynosure (ITHAC) is a dynamic organization on a trajectory of growth, focused on innovation, technology, and business development. As we expand our operations, we seek a skilled Legal Advisor to join our team and provide comprehensive legal guidance that protects our business interests and ensures regulatory compliance.
Job Summary:
The Legal Advisor plays a crucial role at ITHAC, providing legal expertise, drafting and reviewing contracts, advising on corporate governance, and ensuring compliance with Nigeria's regulatory landscape. The ideal candidate will have at least five years of post-call experience practicing law in Nigeria and a strong background in contract law, dispute resolution, and corporate governance. This hybrid role offers a blend of in-office and remote work flexibility and requires in-office attendance on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Key Responsibilities:
As a Legal Advisor at ITHAC, your primary responsibilities will include:

• Legal Research and Analysis:

Conduct comprehensive legal research and analysis to provide well-founded advice on complex legal issues. Stay informed on legal developments, legislative changes, and judicial rulings that may impact the organization, especially in contract law, intellectual property, employment law, and regulatory compliance.

• Contract Drafting and Review:

Draft, review, and negotiate various legal documents, including client contracts, vendor agreements, service agreements, memorandums of understanding (Mo Us), and partnership agreements. Ensure all contracts are legally sound, minimize risks, and align with company goals.

• Litigation Preparedness and Representation:

Prepare and advise the company on litigation matters. This includes gathering evidence, developing litigation strategies, drafting pleadings, and managing pre-trial procedures. Represent ITHAC in court proceedings and liaise with external counsel when required, ensuring optimal litigation outcomes for the company.

• Dispute Resolution and Negotiation:

Advise the company on appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms (arbitration, mediation, litigation). Negotiate settlements with clients, vendors, or other third parties to resolve conflicts amicably and prevent escalation to litigation where possible.

• Corporate Governance and Internal Policies:

Provide advice on internal governance policies, ensuring that the company’s operations and decisions comply with Nigeria’s regulatory requirements. Formulate and review corporate policies, bylaws, and governance structures to ensure compliance with relevant laws, including the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and other applicable regulations.

• Regulatory Compliance:

Oversee the company’s regulatory compliance efforts, ensuring that all business activities conform to Nigeria's legal standards, including tax, labor, intellectual property, environmental laws, and data protection regulations. Assist with filings and communication with regulatory authorities as required.

• Risk Management and Advisory:

Identify potential legal risks to the company, assess their severity, and develop strategies to mitigate them. Provide proactive legal advice to senior management, offering recommendations for protecting the company’s assets and safeguarding against potential legal challenges.

• Client and Vendor Contracts Oversight:

Work closely with the procurement and business development teams to oversee and manage client and vendor contracts, ensuring their terms are fair, legally binding, and reflect the company's best interests. Guide internal teams on contract enforcement and dispute resolution when necessary.

• Employment Law and Human Resources Support:

Support the Human Resources department in managing employment-related legal issues, including employment contracts, termination agreements, disciplinary procedures, and compliance with Nigerian labor laws. We were guided on handling workplace disputes and representing the company in any legal proceedings related to employment matters.

• Legal Documentation and Record-Keeping:

Maintain an organized and secure system of all legal documents, including contracts, legal opinions, and court documents. Ensure all legal records are up-to-date, complete, and easily accessible for future reference and audits.
Required Skills and Expertise:
The ideal candidate will have a solid foundation in Nigerian law and experience with a variety of legal matters that businesses commonly face, including:

• Contract Law: Strong experience in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating various types of contracts.
• Litigation Skills: Proven ability to manage litigation cases in preparation and representing clients in court.
• Corporate Governance: Familiarity with best practices in corporate governance, especially in adherence to CAMA and internal company policies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Deep understanding of regulatory frameworks in Nigeria, including tax laws, labor laws, and sector-specific regulations (e.g., technology or intellectual property).
• Dispute Resolution: Experience with alternative dispute resolution methods, including arbitration, mediation, and negotiations.
• Risk Management: Ability to identify legal risks and implement strategies to minimize them.
• Legal Research: Expertise in conducting legal research to provide advice and draft legal opinions based on Nigerian law and judicial precedents.

Essential Soft Skills:

• Attention to Detail: Ability to review and draft precise legal documents with a strong focus on accuracy and risk management.
• Analytical Thinking: Capable of analyzing complex legal situations, distilling the core issues, and formulating sound advice.
• Problem Solving: Proactively resolve disputes and address legal challenges to safeguard the company’s interests.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively liaise with internal teams, clients, vendors, and external counsel.
• Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation abilities, with experience crafting settlements and resolving disputes.
• Time Management & Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet legal deadlines.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s in Law (LL.B) from an accredited Nigerian university.
• Minimum of 5 years of post-call experience practicing law in Nigeria, focusing on commercial, contract, litigation, or corporate law.
• Called to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and in good standing.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian legal frameworks, including contract law, dispute resolution, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working in a corporate or legal advisory role, with the ability to handle multiple legal matters simultaneously.
• Excellent understanding of CAMA 2020 and other applicable legal frameworks that govern corporate entities in Nigeria.

This hybrid position requires working from our Abuja FCT office three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
How to Apply:
Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this position to human.resources@ithac.org. Applications must have a portfolio to be considered.
Application Deadline:
Applications will be accepted until November 8th, 2024.
Join us at ITHAC
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From ₦150,000.00 per month
Education:

• Undergraduate (Required)

Experience:

• Client and Vendor Contracts Oversight: 5 years (Required)
• Employment Law and Human Resources Support: 5 years (Required)
• Legal Documentation and Record-Keeping: 5 years (Required)
• Legal Research and Analysis: 5 years (Required)
• Contract Drafting and Review: 5 years (Required)
• Litigation Preparedness and Representation: 5 years (Required)
• Dispute Resolution and Negotiation: 5 years (Required)
• Corporate Governance and Internal Policies: 5 years (Required)
• Regulatory Compliance: 5 years (Required)
• Risk Management and Advisory: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Called to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Application Deadline: 08/11/2024
Expected Start Date: 11/11/2024