Primary Purpose:
Lead legal and compliance function across the Group in the areas of contracts, insurance, regulation, litigation, risk, ethics, and governance to ensure integrity and resilience.

Key Performance Areas:

Contract and Insurance Oversight

• Draft and / or review, commercial contracts, including international service level agreements and tender contract terms and liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure contracts are legally sound, mitigate risk, comply with marine liability insurance requirements and support business goals.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and standard trading conditions in line with business and marine liability requirements, Bidvest templates, Namibian and international legal standards.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders to compile necessary information and prepare relevant submissions for board and audit committee.
• Support business units in contract negotiations with external stakeholders (i.e. insurers, clients, service providers etc.).
• Liaise with insurers, brokers, Bidvest Legal and Risk and internal stakeholders to ensure adequate risk coverage via insurance policies and programs.
• Develop and implement an insurance strategy covering operational and where applicable client exposures.
• Support the resolution of insurance-related disputes and claims.
• Manage the end-to-end marine liability insurance claims process.

Legal Advisory and Governance

•  Provide legal advice to the executive, and senior management teams and engage outside counsel when required.
• Advise the business on the legal aspects of client and supplier onboarding and due diligence processes.
• Facilitate business-to-secretariat communication and support board reporting
• Facilitate information flow from business to the Company Secretary of specific Trust.
• Compile and submit legal and compliance information for board and audit committee reporting.

Compliance, Risk and Ethics Management

• Oversee the legislative compliance function and provide strategic guidance to the Compliance and Risk Officer.
• Lead the risk and ethics management function, ensuring alignment with enterprise risk frameworks and ethical standards.
• Mentor and support the Compliance and Risk Officer in executing compliance reviews, risk assessments, and ethics initiatives.
• Ensure integration of compliance and risk insights into business decision-making and reporting.

Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Legal and Compliance Department.
• Drive employee performance, growth and wellbeing
• Build and maintain partnerships with all businesses / divisions and departments in the Group as well as key external partners
• Demonstrate leadership and accountability by integrating the ISO standards to which MGN is certified within your area of responsibility.

Job Requirements:

• NQF Level Eight (8) Qualification - Bachelor’s degree in law.
• Admitted Legal Practitioner
• Advanced legal, management or compliance certification (e.g., LLB, Compliance Management Certificate, MDP) will be an advantage

Work Experience:

• Eight (8) years’ experience, with at least 5 years in a senior legal or leadership role.
• Experience in insurance administration and claims handling.
• Strong expertise in contract law, and corporate legal advisory.
• Familiarity with corporate governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience managing external legal counsel and insurance broker relationships

Other Requirements:

• Understanding of Namibian and international legal frameworks where applicable.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• High integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Strong understanding of international contract law.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong negotiating, drafting, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and document management systems.
• Strategic thinking with international legal perspective