Opening Date:     April 11, 2023

Position:              Legal Service Division Manager
Duty station:        Addis Ababa

1.       About the Organization:

VisionFund Micro Finance Institution (S.C) is an Institution established according to proclamation No. 40/96 to provide financial services to the productive poor in the rural and urban areas of Ethiopia. VisionFund MFI is currently operating in four of the Regional States of the country. VisionFund MFI is looking for competent candidates for the position of Legal Service Division Manager. The successful candidates will have skills and experience that meet the following requirements:

2. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

·         Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and controls the legal activities and personnel of the Service;

·         Handles the drafting, receiving and approval of loan contracts, deeds and other legal documents, and offers opinion as to their legal acceptability and the protection of VF MFI’s interest;

·         Reviews and checks the legality and appropriateness of draft documents and gives his/her opinions;

·         Handles lawsuits when clients default to repay loans they have taken and fail to perform as per contracts entered;

·         Assists in negotiating on labor cases and other issues;

·         Represents VF MFI in preparing legal opinion on claims and supervises the preparation of proposed acts;

·         Represents VF MFI at litigations and follows-up the implementation of court decisions;

·         Conducts investigation of theft, forgeries and misappropriations involved on VF MFI’s property or funds and takes appropriate legal action of the rectification thereof;

·         Closely follows-up loan repayment schedules and takes the appropriate action on overdue loans in consultation with concerned branches and sub-branches.

·         Provides orientation and training to Area and Branch staff on legal issues and handling routine legal cases;

·         Addresses and assists management in the interpretation and execution of the law;

·         Provides legal opinion and advisory service to the management and other work units in the Company; supervises the preparation of and/or prepares proposed acts, contracts and other legal instruments; negotiates as deemed necessary with government organs and individuals;

·         Initiates research work for improved protection of the legal right of the Company and keeps abreast with the latest development in the legal profession;

·         Follows up new proclamations and guidelines which are pertinent to the Company;

·         Follows-up the activities in different work units of the Company are performed on legal basis;

·         Keeps the Company abreast with the latest development in the legal profession;

·         Prepares annual budget of the Service and follows-up its implementation;

·         Prepares periodic reports and submits to the Director, Legal Services.

·         Orients, trains, coaches, supervises, leads, guides and supports the staff reporting to him/her;

·         Completes all performance management activities including: performance planning, monitoring, and annual performance appraisals;

·         Ensures that all staff have appropriate individual operational plans linked to operational priorities;

·         Assesses staff development needs and provides/recommends training, coaching and mentoring or other activities to increase technical and professional skills;

·         Ensures the realization of team spirit, participatory decision-making process, cost effectiveness staff motivation and spirit of dedication at all levels.

·         Performs other duties as may be assigned his/her supervisor.

Job Requirements

A) EDUCATION/TRAINING

·         LLM/LLB degree in Law.

B) EXPERIENCE:

·         A minimum of 8/10 years of relevant work experience, Out of which 2 years in supervisory position.

C) TECHNICAL AND OTHER SKILLS

·         Demonstrated technical and managerial ability, sound judgement, and ability to interact and work effectively with others at all levels.

·         Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.

·         Good knowledge of Legal research methods, the court system and procedures, legal ethics.

·         Ability to interpret, analyse and solve problems.

·         Ability to act in professional and ethical manner.

Place of Work:                 Addis Ababa

Terms of Employment:   Permanent

How to Apply

Candidates who fulfill the requirements can send their application, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of up to three references and non-returnable copies of credentials to: VFE_vacancy@wvi.org

Note: -   Only short listed candidates will be contacted for subsequent assessment

Women applicants are highly encouraged to apply