Sr. Legal Counsel

JOB PURPOSE

If you are a lawyer who is passionate about delivering legal business partnering in a dynamic environment focused on innovation, clear growth priorities, and creative solutions, then this role is just for you. This role primarily involves business partnering by providing legal counsel to the organization, proactively identifying and managing legal risks affecting operations in Kenya and other East African markets. The position requires adherence to governance, compliance, and control frameworks while contributing to strategy formulation and execution for the East Africa business. The successful candidate will also serve as a member of the East Africa Leadership Team.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Collaborate with line manager and business leads to find legally compliant solutions that meet business goals, offering recommendations based on cost, risk, and regulations. Proactively identify and address legal risks to support business objectives.
• Monitor and communicate updates regarding changes in laws and regulations across operational territories.
• Manage legal risk effectively through clear commercial advice, contract negotiation and documentation, litigation oversight, brand-building activities, labor law guidance, local brand protection, competition/antitrust matters, and employee training on compliance to support sustainable growth.
• Supporting the General Counsel in delivering secretarial services to the boards of directors of various Unilever entities and subsidiaries.
• Supervise activities or transactions related to company property, ensuring compliance with title terms and conditions.
• Provide support for drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and finalizing legal documents pertinent to Unilever’s business.
• Appoint, instruct, and manage external legal resources, including law firms, in accordance with the Engagement of External Legal Professionals and Consultants Policy.
• Liaising with the Business Integrity team ( BI ) on support required in the implementation of the COBP strategy.
• Maintain effective interfaces with external regulators
• Core areas of responsibility include litigation, commercial law, brand protection, competition/antitrust, marketing, privacy and data protection, and company secretarial support, among others.

KEY SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Qualified lawyer/advocate with over 10 years' experience and a valid practicing certificate
• Specialist in commercial, corporate, competition, and IP law
• Certified Company Secretary
• Experienced in corporate transactions
• Effective team player and business partner across regions
• Excellent communication and analytical skills; detail-oriented

DIRECT REPORTS

Legal Admin/ Office

KEY INTERFACES

• BI teams
• Brand Protection teams
• Legal Powerhouses
• Legal Central Expertise teams
• IUL Legal teams
• Category Management Teams
• In-market functional Heads
• External Legal Counsels
• Pension Administration Professionals
• Regulatory Agencies and Authorities
• External Consulting Firms

JOB ENVIRONMENT/CHALLENGES

• Ability to work effectively in complex, volatile business environments across the cluster.
• Must maintain high integrity and confidentiality on all company matters.
• Capable of maturely managing diverse stakeholder groups and delivering practical solutions.
• Adaptability to perform well under pressure, given FMCG operations and stakeholder demands.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever, we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus, if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

Skills Required:

• Legal / Law