Legal Manager - Security Perfection & Credit Support at Equity Bank Kenya

• Oversee the drafting, review, execution, and perfection of all security documentation, including charges, mortgages, debentures, guarantees, and other collateral instruments.
• Ensure effective coordination and timely registration of securities with relevant authorities, including the Lands Registry, Business Registration Service, and other statutory bodies.
• Establish and enforce quality-control standards for pre-registration review of security documentation to ensure legal validity and compliance with internal policies.
• Oversee engagement with external counsel and registries to drive efficiency, resolve delays, and ensure timely completion of security perfection processes.

• Ensure all security documentation is legally enforceable and compliant with applicable laws, including the Land Act, Companies Act, and other relevant statutes.
• Proactively identify, assess and manage legal and operational risks arising from security documentation and perfection processes, escalating material issues as appropriate.
• Confirm that all securities meet the Bank's credit policy and risk requirements prior to credit disbursement.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of perfected and pending securities within the bank's systems.
• Monitor security perfection timelines and exception reports, ensuring prompt corrective action is taken to address defects, lapses, or delays.
• Ensure expiring, defective or impaired securities are renewed, rectified or otherwise mitigated to minimize legal and credit exposure.

• Provide legal advice on structuring complex credit facilities to ensure legal risk analysis and to propose mitigation strategies for credit fulfillment.
• Support Credit Committees in the review, structure and appraisal of credit facilities
• Provide expertise on recovery, collections, bankruptcy and insolvency issues when dealing with distressed facilities
• Provide legal advice on all aspects of syndicated lending including drafting and managing perfection of legal documents, such as facility agreements, inter-creditor agreements, and security documents using standard forms from the Loan Market Association (LMA).

• Act as a key legal liaison with internal stakeholders, including Credit Administration, Risk, and Branch teams, providing guidance and status updates on security perfection matters.
• Manage relationships with external stakeholders such as advocates, valuers, and registries to ensure alignment with service standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide authoritative legal advisory support to business and credit teams on security structuring and documentation requirements.

• Review periodic management reports on security perfection status, exceptions and risk exposures for submission to the Legal Manager, Credit Support and Enablement.
• Analyze trends, bottlenecks and performance metrics within the security perfection function and recommend remedial actions.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy and governance of security perfection processes.
• Develop, review and implement policies, procedures and controls related to security documentation and registration.
• Champion the adoption of technology and automation tools to improve tracking, documentation, reporting, and risk management.

• Minimum of 7-10 years' post-qualification legal experience, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience in security perfection, banking and finance law, or credit legal support within a bank, financial institution, or reputable law firm.
• Proven track record in drafting, reviewing, and registering security documentation, including charges, mortgages, debentures, guarantees, and other collateral instruments.
• Hands-on experience engaging with land registries, company registries, and other statutory bodies.
• Experience in managing external counsel, advocates, and service providers.
• Strong exposure to credit operations, risk management, and regulatory compliance in a regulated financial services environment.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from a recognized university.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Law or equivalent professional legal training (where applicable by jurisdiction).
• Admission to the Bar / Advocate of the High Court (or equivalent legal practicing qualification).
• Current membership in the Law Society or relevant professional legal body.
• Additional certifications in banking law, finance, risk management, or compliance will be an added advantage.
• Management or leadership certifications (e.g., MBA, leadership development programs) are desirable.

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