Job Description
Our Client is a leading NGO based in Lagos with operations in various countries. They are looking to hire a deputy general counsel for their legal department.
Job Objective
The Deputy General Counsel serves as a critical legal advisor and operational leader, working under the leadership of the General Counsel to oversee the legal, regulatory, and compliance functions of the organisation. This role ensures that the organisation’s global operations adhere to applicable laws across multiple jurisdictions, supports its global expansion efforts. The Deputy General Counsel will be responsible for managing complex legal negotiations, driving regulatory and compliance initiatives to facilitate global missions, and fostering seamless coordination within the organisation’s leadership structure. This position demands a proactive, strategic thinker with exceptional legal expertise, cultural adaptability, and the ability to manage diverse stakeholders in a dynamic, faith-based environment.
Legal Function
Contract Negotiation and Management:
Lead the negotiation, drafting, review, and execution of a wide range of complex agreements critical to the organisation’s operations. These include, but
are not limited to, property transactions (sales, purchases, rentals, and leases), title perfection processes, facility management contracts,
equipment supply and maintenance agreements, and other commercial or ministry-related contracts with vendors, partners, and stakeholders. Ensure all agreements are legally sound, mitigate risks, and align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and mission-driven values. Conduct thorough due diligence to verify compliance with local and international laws and collaborate with relevant departments to incorporate operational and financial considerations into contract terms.
External Legal Counsel Coordination:
• Manage the engagement and performance of external law firms retained by the organisation (including those on a pro-bono basis) to
provide specialized legal, regulatory, or advisory services. Serve, alongside the General Counsel, as primary liaison, drafting clear
instructions, setting performance benchmarks, and monitoring progress to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective delivery service.
• Maintain detailed records of legal engagements, including budgets, scopes of work, and outcomes, to optimize resource allocation. Evaluate the effectiveness of external counsel through regular performance reviews and recommend adjustments to engagement strategies to enhance efficiency and alignment with the organisation’s priorities.
Dispute Resolution and Litigation Oversight:
• Strategic management and resolution of conflicts, disputes, claims, or litigation involving the organisation, ensuring minimal disruption to its
operations and reputation. Conduct comprehensive risk assessments, develop mitigation strategies, and prepare legal documentation to support the organisation’s position. Support the engagement and supervision of external solicitors, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s objectives and cost considerations.
• Proactively identify potential legal vulnerabilities through trend analysis and recommend preventive measures, such as alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, to reduce the likelihood of escalation and foster amicable resolutions.
Legal Advisory Services:
• Provide comprehensive legal research and advisory support to the organisation’s Management, Senior Leadership, and operational teams
on a diverse array of legal, regulatory, and compliance issues. Deliver precise, actionable, and mission-aligned guidance on topics such as corporate governance, property transactions, intellectual property, labour law and practice, non-profit regulations etc.
• Leverage advanced legal research tools and stay abreast of legislative and regulatory developments to anticipate challenges and inform decision-making.
• Present complex legal concepts in clear, accessible language to non-legal stakeholders, fostering informed strategic choices that balance legal compliance with the organisation’s spiritual and operational goals.
Policy Formulation and Monitoring:
• Collaborate with the General Counsel and the Office of the Global Lead Pastor to develop, implement, and maintain internal legal and
compliance policies that govern the organisation’s operations across domestic and international jurisdictions.
• Draft and review policies related to ministry operations, risk management, ethical conduct, data protection, reporting, human resources, volunteer management, etc. to ensure alignment with applicable laws and the organisation’s values.
• Conduct periodic policy audits to identify gaps or areas for improvement, and work with relevant departments to integrate
policies into operational workflows.
• Conduct policy awareness training initiatives to educate staff and leadership on policy adherence, fostering a culture of compliance
and accountability throughout the organization
Regulatory and Compliance:
Compliance Oversight:
• Ensure that all operations of the organisation, across domestic and international jurisdictions, adhere rigorously to applicable laws,
statutory regulations, and legal instruments governing non-profit organizations, tax exemptions, and ministry activities.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive compliance frameworks and incorporate risk-based monitoring systems to ensure adherence to legal
and regulatory standards.
• Conduct periodic compliance audits using advanced data analytics tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and implement corrective measures
promptly.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate compliance protocols into operational workflows, delivering targeted training to
staff and leadership to foster a culture of legal integrity and accountability aligned with the organisation’s values.
Regulatory Strategy and Engagement:
• Develop and execute a robust regulatory engagement strategy to cultivate and sustain productive relationships with the government
agencies, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders at international, national, state, and local levels.
• Represent the organisation in high-level regulatory negotiations, advocacy efforts, and policy discussions to address operational challenges and
secure favorable regulatory outcomes.
• Monitor global regulatory and geopolitical trends to anticipate risks and opportunities, providing strategic recommendations to senior
leadership.
• Partner with external legal and regulatory advisors to ensure the organisation’s positions are robustly articulated and aligned with its long-
term strategic objectives.
Filings and Reporting:
• Oversee the preparation, review, and timely submission of all mandatory regulatory filings, including annual returns, financial statements
statements, tax compliance documents, and other disclosures required by government agencies in all jurisdictions where the organisation’s operates.
• Ensure filings are accurate, compliant with local and international standards, and submitted within deadlines to avoid penalties or reputational risks.
• Implement streamlined processes and leverage compliance management software to track filing obligations, maintain organized records, and ensure consistency across all submissions.
• Provide guidance to internal teams on documentation standards and regulatory expectations, enhancing the quality and reliability of all reports.
Regulatory Enquiries and Audits:
• Manage responses to information requests, enquiries, or audits from regulatory authorities with precision, professionalism, and strategic
foresight.
• Develop cohesive response strategies, coordinating with relevant departments to compile accurate data and produce legally sound submissions that safeguard the organisation’s interests.
• Maintain detailed, centralized records of all regulatory interactions, including correspondence, logs, and databases, to ensure transparency
and facilitate future compliance efforts.
• Proactively prepare for audits by conducting internal reviews, stress-testing compliance systems, and ensuring the organisation remains audit-
ready, with processes in place to demonstrate full regulatory adherence.
C
orporate Governance and Entity Management:
• Support the General Counsel in overseeing corporate governance and the management of the organisation’s entities globally, ensuring
alignment with best practices and legal requirements.
• Facilitate the organization and execution of board of trustee meetings for all entities, including preparing agendas, drafting resolutions, and
ensuring accurate minute-taking and follow-up on action items.
• Manage governance processes, such as board appointments, policy approvals, and conflict-of-interest disclosures, to uphold transparency
and accountability. Oversee statutory filings for all entities, maintaining a centralized register to track obligations (e.g., annual returns, tax
filings, and corporate registrations) across jurisdictions.
• Produce regular compliance reports to provide management with actionable insights into the compliance status of all entities, enabling
informed decision-making.
• Serve as a key liaison between the boards of related entities and the Global Office/HQ, ensuring seamless communication, alignment on
strategic priorities, and resolution of governance-related issues.
• Implement training programs for board members and entity leaders to enhance governance literacy and ensure consistent application of
policies.
• Proactively identify governance risks and recommend enhancements to policies and processes to strengthen the organisation’s global governance framework.
Global Missions and Establishments:
Strategic Support for Global Expansion:
• Collaborate closely with the General Counsel and the Global Missions’ Office to design and execute a comprehensive strategy for the organization’s global missions and expansion, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s vision and long-term objectives.
• Provide strategic legal and operational guidance to identify viable regions for establishing new organisation’s expressions, conducting in-depth market and regulatory analyses to assess feasibility and prioritize opportunities.
• Develop detailed expansion roadmaps, incorporating timelines, resource allocation plans, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure
successful launches.
• Partner with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, and ministry departments, to align expansion initiatives with organizational
capabilities and budgetary constraints.
• Facilitate the creation of governance structures for new expressions, ensuring compliance with local laws and seamless integration with the
organisation’s global framework.
• In conjunction with the Global Missions Office, monitor and evaluate the performance of expansion initiatives using key performance indicators (KPIs), such as membership growth and operational stability, to refine strategies and drive continuous improvement.
• Engage with local stakeholders to navigate cultural, legal, and logistical complexities in a way that builds sustainable growth and ministry
penetration globally
Requirements
Educational Qualifications
• Law degree from an accredited institution and active licensure to practice law in relevant jurisdictions. A master’s degree in International law, non-profit management, or corporate governance is a plus.
• A qualified lawyer with a master’s degree (LL.M) from a recognized and accredited University in a relevant jurisdiction, with a minimum
of a second-class (lower) law degree (LL.B) grade.
• A master’s degree is an added advantage.
• 10-12 years of legal experience in corporate law, non-profit regulations, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance, with expertise in navigating diverse jurisdictional requirements. Relevant experience and expertise
a. Corporate Governance and Entity Management
• Proven experience overseeing governance processes for multiple entities, including board of trustee meetings, statutory filings, and compliance tracking.
• Ability to develop governance frameworks, maintain a centralized register of statutory obligations, and produce compliance reports for management decision-making.
• Skilled in acting as a liaison between global entity boards and the Global Office/HQ to ensure alignment and seamless communication.
b. Commercial Legal, Drafting and Communication:
• Deep knowledge of contract law, property law, data protection, and global regulatory frameworks for compliance and risk mitigation.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure favorable contract terms, regulatory outcomes, and partnership agreements while upholding the organisation’s interests and values.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex legal, regulatory, and governance concepts to diverse audiences, including non-legal stakeholders, board members, and global partners.
c. Strategic Planning and Cultural Adaptability
• Strong strategic planning and analytical skills to support global expansion, including market analyses, risk assessments, and development of expansion roadmaps with key performance indicators (KPIs).
• High cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively across diverse international contexts, with experience navigating cultural,
legal, and logistical complexities in global operations. Ability to tailor strategies to local needs while maintaining alignment with the organisation’s global mission and values.
d. Leadership and Collaboration
• Demonstrated leadership in supervising teams, mentoring personnel, and managing external counsel, with experience training board members and staff on governance and compliance.
• Exceptional collaboration skills to work with finance, operations, and ministry teams, fostering cross-functional alignment and
driving strategic initiatives.
• Outstanding communication and negotiation abilities to articulate complex legal and regulatory concepts to diverse stakeholders,
including non-legal audiences.
e. Technology, Ethics, and Organizational Proficiency
• Proficiency in legal research platforms, compliance management software, and data analytics tools to streamline filings, audits, and
governance processes.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and the organisation’s mission-driven values, handling sensitive matters with
discretion.
• Superior project management and organizational skills to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex projects in a fast-paced environment
global environment.
