Senior Legal Officer

Job Summary

Our client in the Financial Services & Microfinance industry is seeking a qualified and experienced Senior Legal Officer to provide legal advisory, regulatory compliance, contract management, litigation coordination, and corporate legal support across the organization.

The successful candidate will provide timely legal guidance to management, branches, and functional departments while ensuring the organization operates in compliance with applicable Tanzanian laws, banking and financial-sector regulations, labour laws, corporate governance standards, and other statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide timely legal advice to management, branches, and functional departments on operational, commercial, employment, regulatory, and other legal matters affecting the organization. • Draft, review, and vet contracts, agreements, legal documents, policies, and other instruments to ensure legal accuracy and protect the organization’s interests. • Manage and coordinate litigation and other legal proceedings involving the organization, including preparing instructions, reviewing case documents, and liaising with external advocates and relevant parties. • Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, statutory requirements, corporate governance standards, and regulatory requirements. • Provide legal support on employment and labour matters, including employment contracts, disciplinary matters, employee relations, and compliance with applicable labour laws. • Monitor legislative and regulatory developments and advise management on changes that may affect the organization’s operations, products, services, and business activities. • Develop, review, and update legal policies, procedures, agreements, and compliance frameworks in line with changes in legislation and regulatory requirements. • Provide day-to-day legal and regulatory support to departments and branches. • Prepare periodic legal reports and maintain appropriate legal documentation. • Attend meetings on behalf of the organization when assigned. • Perform other legal duties as directed by management.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) from a recognized institution. • Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDLP) at the Law School of Tanzania. • Must be a qualified and practising Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania with a valid practising certificate. • Minimum of five (5) years of relevant legal experience, including at least three (3) years in a reputable law firm and two (2) years in the banking or financial institution sector. • Strong knowledge of Tanzanian laws, banking regulations, financial-sector regulatory requirements, labour laws, corporate governance, and commercial law. • Proven experience in litigation management, contract drafting and review, legal advisory, regulatory compliance, and corporate legal matters. • Strong understanding of regulatory requirements applicable to banks and financial institutions, with the ability to interpret and advise on legislative and regulatory changes. • Excellent communication, negotiation, coordination, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills. • Ability to work independently and under minimum supervision. • Computer literate with strong report-writing and documentation skills. • Demonstrated ability to provide legal guidance and training.