Senior Legal Counsel

Who is Lafarge?

As a global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions, Lafarge is enabling greener cities, smarter infrastructure and improving living standards around the world. With sustainability at the core of our strategy, we are becoming a net-zero company, with our people and communities at the heart of our success. We are driving circular construction as a world leader in recycling to build more with less. It’s all thanks to our 7,000 talented people around the world who are passionate about building progress for people and the planet through four business segments: Cement, Ready-Mix Concrete, Aggregates and Solutions & Products.

Who are Lafarge People?

Lafarge people are passionate about finding better ways to build. They embrace innovation and improvement with a pioneering spirit. They work as trusted partners, creating better solutions and experiences for their customers, communities, and colleagues

About the Job 

The Senior Legal Counsel will provide support to Lafarge Africa Plc, its subsidiaries and business operations: Lafarge Africa Plc, Ashakacem Limited, Wapsila 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;
  • Analyse 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 organisation;
  • 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, labour and all other commercial law

• Corporate Governance & Company Secretriat
  • Assist the Company Secretary to prepare for quarterly Board & Committee meetings and as the need arises;
  • Attend Board & Committee meetings and to 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

Behavioral Competence:

• Good interpersonal skills
• Strong team player
• Adaptable
• Tact and tolerant
• Ability to work well under pressure and adhere to set deadlines
• Resilient and Motivated

Leadership and managerial abilities

• Excellent managerial skills and ability to organize and plan effectively to meet both short and long range goals and objectives.
• Ability to manage multiple project plans successfully and simultaneously.
• Ability to motivate individuals and teams

Your Lafarge Experience
At Lafarge, there is endless opportunity for you to play your part. Whether you’re in a technical, managerial, or frontline role, you can shape a career that works for you. With us you’ll have the chance to embrace the passion we share for our planet. You’ll be encouraged to seek out diverse perspectives, share your ideas and build the skills and connections you need to perform at your best. Because it’s only when we work together in a culture where everyone thrives, that we can build the world we all want to live in.