Company Secretary and Head, Legal Services Job at Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited

Sanlam Life Insurance Nigeria Limited is a limited liability company licensed to transact life insurance business in Nigeria. Its subsidiary, Sanlam General Insurance Nigeria Limited is licensed to transact general insurance business in Nigeria. We provide cover for both individuals and corporate organisations, enriching lives by offering a wide range of insurance plans that cover various needs of life.

We are 100% owned by the Sanlam Group, a leading diversified pan-African financial services group established in 1918 as a life insurance company. Sanlam has evolved into the largest non-banking financial services group in Africa through its diversification strategy. We have been creating value for stakeholders since 1918 – for more than 100 years – with all our efforts centered on helping our clients live with confidence. With a story of growth, development, empowerment and stability, the Sanlam Group is a multinational organisation, with significant presence across 33 countries in Africa, as well as in the USA, Malaysia, Australia, the UK and India.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Company Secretary and Head, Legal Services

Job Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Department: Company Secretariat and Legal Services
Job type: Full-time
Job Grade: Senior Manager - Assistant General Manager

Purpose of the Job

• Provide Legal and advisory services on all Insurance matters ensuring that the interest of Sanlam Life Insurance and its shareholders are protected.
• Provide Company Secretarial functions.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Board administration, Board reporting, pre-meeting logistics, preparation of Board meeting minutes, and communications from the Board meetings to relevant stakeholders
• Keep records of proceedings at MANCO and EXCO meetings, timely circulation of minutes and action points of previous meetings, timely circulation of notices, agendas and reports for consideration at meetings, follow up on committee members for compliance on Action Points from previous meetings and timely and effective communication of MANCO and EXCO decisions to stakeholders

Core Legal Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of legal service strategy
• Effective monitoring of corporate governance practice to ensure adherence and compliance; advise management promptly on any change with recommendation on actions
• Collaborate with management to manage the strategic direction of Sanlam Life Insurance from a legal perspective
• Identify and mitigate legal risks
• Provide legal advice to staff to ensure the best legal approach is taken for business ventures Advises them on matters of constitutional and national law
• Promote strong relationships with partners and clients of the company. This may include acting as a liaison between partners and work groups Ensure filing of statutory returns with CAC etc. Ensure effective stakeholder engagement with regulatory authorities including NAICOM Review contentious claims files and provide recommendations that will not undermine the company's interest or business continuity Provide secretarial support to core Company
• Accountable to: Managing Director/CEO
• Meetings [EXCO, Board] and coordinate the preparation of Board papers.
• Prepare and review legal documents, including contracts, MOU's, Agreements, and Insurance Bonds
• Prepare, review and negotiate commercial contracts
• Manage all aspects of litigation portfolio for the organization (including review of statement of claim, defence and witness statement on oath) Assist all departments in review of legal matters including personnel /employee relations and customer relations as requested
• Create and adopt policies and procedures designed to ensure that the organization and its employees comply with required laws and regulations.
• Assume active involvement in problem-solving and crisis management over critical issues that have an impact on Sanlam Life Insurance business/operations.
• Work with Internal Audit where necessary, in the event of serious regulatory risk and or contract breaches, to ensure actions are taken immediately to remediate and/or activities are ceased. Maintain custody of all key corporate and statutory documents of the Company.
• Improve productivity and quality of departmental job delivery through best practice initiatives

Requirements
Academic Qualification & Work Experience:

• First Degree in Law (LLB) from a reputable institution and BL from the Nigerian Law School
• Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience working in a reputable insurance company
• A higher degree(s) or relevant professional qualification(s) will be an added advantage.

Required Competencies (KSA):

• Knowledge of Legal policies, processes and procedures
• Knowledge of Nigerian Constitution and legal system
• Knowledge of the insurance Act, NAICOM Act,
• Research Skills
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral and written) Good interpersonal, negotiation and problem solving Skills
• Result oriented
• Companies and Allied Matter Act amongst others
• Knowledge of the insurance company structure Ability to draft legal documents
• Good analytical skills
• Document and record keeping
• Demonstrates ability to lead, manage and motivate a team to achieve set goals and objectives Demonstrates initiative and enthusiasm