AVP Legal

Job DescriptionAbout the Job: The AVP legal will be Playing a managerial role where they oversee the legal representation of the business on all legal matte as well as providing strategic legal support to the company’s operations in West Africa, Francophone and Southern Africa markets, focusing on payment processing business.ResponsibilitiesCommercial ContractsDraft, review and negotiate contracts and other legal documents with clients and vendorsEnsure contracts align with corporate policies and regulatory requirements Provide legal advice on all relevant legal matters Manage communication with external counsels if required and monitor the work being carried out by themResearch documents and case history to ensure accuracy of advice and proceduresParticipate in the growth and development of the departmentKeeping upto-date with changes in the law and regulationsSupporting internal procedures and systems of company including filing cases / case management, as requiredCollaborate with other team members in the Risk team Product Advisory & Data PrivacyAct as a strategic legal advisor during ideation and product development, ensuring legal, regulatory and data privacy considerations are integrated by designProvide end-to-end legal support for new product launches, features, and enhancements in payments, digital wallets, and financial services.Draft and negotiate product terms and conditions and collaboration agreements with partners.Monitor and counsel on emerging product technologies (Crypto-stablecoins, AI) and relevant regulations and establish guardrails for product teams Collaborate and support the risk teams to conclude the legal review as per the defined policies.Educate internal stakeholders on new legal and regulatory developments impacting novel products.Liaise with regulators and external counsel on licensing and product approvals.Responsible for overseeing compliance with applicable data protection and privacy laws, regulations, and regulatory guidance. The role includes advising the business on data protection obligations, monitoring implementation of privacy controls, and serving as the primary point of contact with regulators on data protection matters. The DPO will also oversee data privacy impact assessments, incident response related to personal data, and ongoing awareness across the organization.QualificationsMinimum education level Bachelor’s degree in law from a reputed and accredited university with membership of local bar. Master’s in business/finance law preferred.Required Experience 8 to 10 years of experience in the same field, preferably within multinational companies; out of which 7-8 years in a corporate legal environment in a technology or in a payments services business is a must. Strong experience of common and civil law jurisdictions Excellent organizational and planning skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet tight deadlines, have exceptionally good problem-solving skills, and possess an ability to remain calm and composed during times of uncertainty and stress Experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts. Excellent communication skills with ability to translate legal concepts into practical business advice. Individual contributor with collaborative mindset with proven ability to work cross-functionally in fast-paced environments dealing with competing priorities. Knowledge of privacy, payment and/or banking regulationsGeneral Skills Excellent Level of English language- reading, speaking and drafting Working knowledge of French language is preferred