Contract Legal Assistant (Documentation & Securities) 

Company Details
Name:HF Group
Industry: Banking
Description: Housing Finance Company of Kenya was incorporated as the premier mortgage Finance Institution in Kenya licensed under the Banking Act with the CDC and the GoK owning 60% and 40% respectively. ,, ,Housing Finance started operations with the main objective of implementing the government’s policy of promoting thrift and home ownership by lending funds advanced from First Permanent East Africa Limited (FPEA). Operations were restricted to the zoned residential areas within Nairobi and Mombasa. ,, ,Deposits of FPEA in Kenya were transferred to HFCK while the Tanzanian and Ugandan deposits were transferred to The Permanent Housing Finance Company of Tanzania and the Housing Finance Company of Uganda respectively. ,,
Job Description

Principle Accountabilities

 

 LEGAL FUNCTIONS                                                                        

 

Acknowledging receipt of all security documents from the Borrowers via the Relationship Team and/or the external legal counsel;

 

Updating the pre- disbursement checklist for tracking purposes;

 

Reviewing all documents to confirm legal terms and enforceability;

 

Forwarding the original security documents to Safe Custody unit for lodgment;

 

Forwarding lodgment/ disbursement sheet to Credit Admin for disbursement and updating of the system with details of security held;

 

Forwarding to credit admin relevant documents to facilitate disbursement

 

Creation of liens in case of cash security;

 

Supervising perfection of securities by external advocates:

 

Supervising and coordinating the perfection of Bank security documents prepared by the Bank’s external advocates and ensuring completion within the SLA timelines from the date of issuance of instructions to completion.

 

Undertaking the following pertaining to perfection of securities:

 

Instructing external lawyers to prepare and finalise all types of security documentation on behalf of the Bank;

 

Reviewing the draft security documents received from external lawyers and also supervising the review of security documents to ensure quality, uniformity and enforceability;

 

Prepare in-house security documents for customers and/or the group companies’ wishing to save on legal fees upon request/instructions from management;

 

Negotiating syndication agreements for and on behalf of the Bank;

 

Liaising with the concerned Relationship Managers in regards to arranging for the execution of security documents by the Bank’s Customers;

 

Reviewing the registered security documents to ensure proper registration before submitting the same the Credit Department for lodgement and giving the disbursements go-ahead;

 

Reviewing all undertakings issued by or received by the Bank particularly for the takeover of facilities, sale transactions, release of title documents for creation of tenancy leases, extension of lease, amalgamation or change of user, and circulating for signing by authorised bank attorneys

 

Reviewing and obtaining Credit approval for the discharge of bank collaterals for redeemed accounts or on takeover of facilities and circulating the discharge for signing by authorised bank attorneys

 

Maintaining a report of all the outstanding undertakings handled within the department clearly setting out the obligations to be fulfilled, the parties involved and the timelines to be met;

 

Following up to ensure that the undertaking obligations are fulfilled within the stipulated timelines;

 

Recommending necessary action(s) to be taken in the event of breach of terms by any party to the undertaking(s).

 

Reports:

 

Coordinating and ensuring that the disbursed facilities, and pending securities reports are sent to the divisional heads and RMs;

 

Coordinating and ensuring the miscellaneous report pertaining to security documents released after disbursement for various reasons (e.g. creation of tenancy leases, extension of lease, amalgamation or change of user).

 

Panel of advocates:

 

Ensuring that the law firms provide their firm’s professional indemnity cover and following up for renewal dates as and when expires;

 

Ensuring to procure the Tax Compliance Certificates for each year from the Advocates;

 

Periodically assess the advocate’s performance against the SLA signed between the Bank and the Advocates.

 

Other duties

 

Applications for registration of any new Trademarks and Trademarks renewal upon expiry

 

Supervising and co-ordinating the review of any other security documentation that the Bank may enter into with third parties; and

 

Advise the Bank on its rights and remedies under any legal documentation.

 

Periodically reviewing the standard form security documents to ensure they capture the current market trends and recent development in laws;

 

Periodically arranging for external lawyers to undertake security audits.

 

 ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES                                                   

 

Handling & exchanging daily correspondence with Subsidiaries, Branches & other Departments of the Company

 

Maintaining & constantly updating a record of the Company’s contracts, leases, trademarks, professional indemnities and status thereof

 

STAFF FUNCTIONS                                                                                                    

 

Appraise staff performance in the department.

 

Ensure fair and equitable distribution of duties.

 

Supervise all staff and ensure discipline is maintained.

 

Attend to staff complaints, personal grievances and counsel them when necessary.

 

CUSTOMER CARE                                                                                                      

 

Listen to problems and offer timely and workable solutions.

 

Treating external staff and internal staff courteously and making every effort to be of assistance.

 

Counseling staff on legal matters.

 

TRAINING                                                                                                                                  

 

Training staff on new regulatory developments and other matters of a legal nature in liaison or collaboration with external counsel.

 

Follow up on performance of the trained Staff at the respective work stations

 

On Site Training.

 

OTHER DUTIES                                                                                                

 

Represent the department in certain meetings when called upon and as delegated from time to time.

 

Represent the Company whenever called upon to do so.

 

Any other duties as assigned from time to time.

 

Conducting workshops for specific needs of business units

 

Representing the department in Company projects that require legal input

 

Sitting in & actively participating in nominated committee & task forces

 

Key Competencies and Skills

 

Personal Attributes

 

Integrity

 

Attention to detail

 

Good Judgment

 

Commitment

 

Dedication

 

Honesty

 

Skills required to undertake the role

 

Analytical Skills

 

Communication Skills- Oral and Written

 

Conceptual Skills

 

Decision Making Skills

 

Leadership Skills

 

Excellent Interpersonal Skills

 

Influencing and Negotiation Skills

 

Computer Literacy Skills

 

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

 

Education: Bachelor’s in Law (LLB), Diploma Kenya School of Law, Admission to the Bar. CPS qualification an added advantage.

 

Experience: 

 

An Advocate of 2-3 years’ experience practising in a busy commercial law firm or in-house legal department of a financial company

 

Desirable: Training in a banking/company course

 

 

 

Education: Degree, Diploma
Employment Type: Contract Based

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