Legal Officer, Security Perfection at Equity Bank Kenya

Job Description

Legal Officer, Security Perfection – ()
Description

In line with enhancing career progression of staff and to support business growth, we seek to recruit a well-qualified, experienced, self-driven, highly motivated and passionate candidate to fill the role of Legal Officer, Security Perfection.

Job Purpose

The Legal Officer, Security Perfection, is responsible for managing and finalizing security perfection processes to support the bank’s credit operations. This includes drafting, reviewing, and registering securities while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory standards. The position reports directly to the Legal Manager, Credit Support and Enablement.

Key Responsibilities

Security Perfection:

Draft, review, and coordinate the execution of security documentation, including charges, mortgages, debentures, guarantees, and other collateral agreements.
Ensure the timely registration of securities with relevant authorities, such as the Lands Registry, Business Registration Service, and other applicable bodies.
Conduct pre-registration reviews of documents to ensure compliance with the law and the bank’s internal policies.
Follow up with external counsel and registries to ensure efficient processing and completion of security perfection.

Compliance and Risk Management:

Verify that all security documentation is legally enforceable and compliant with applicable laws, such as the Land Act, Companies Act, and other relevant statutes.
Identify potential risks in security documentation and escalate issues to the Legal Manager for resolution.
Ensure all perfected securities meet the bank’s credit policy requirements before credit disbursement.

Monitoring and Record-Keeping:

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all perfected securities in the bank’s database.
Monitor the status of pending securities and take corrective action to address delays or defects.
Ensure that any expiring securities are renewed or rectified promptly to avoid exposure to legal risks.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Liaise with internal teams, including Credit Administration, Risk, and Branch teams, to provide updates on security perfection status.
Coordinate with external stakeholders, including advocates, valuers, and registries, to facilitate security perfection processes.
Provide advisory support to credit and business teams on legal requirements for security documentation.
Reporting and Analytics:

Prepare periodic reports on the status of security perfection for review by the Legal Manager, Credit Support and Enablement.
Highlight any challenges or bottlenecks in the security perfection process and propose solutions for improvement.
Process Improvement:

Contribute to the development and implementation of policies and procedures to enhance the efficiency of the security perfection process.
Recommend and adopt technology tools to streamline documentation, monitoring, and reporting processes.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in law (LLB) from a recognized university.

Postgraduate qualifications in Banking, Finance, or Commercial Law are an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications: Admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate, with certifications in credit management, banking or finance being beneficial.

Experience: At least 3–5 years of experience in legal practice, with a focus on securities, credit operations, or commercial law.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:

In-depth knowledge of credit-related laws, including the Land Act, Land Registration Act, Companies Act, and other relevant regulations.
Skilled in drafting, reviewing, and registering security documentation.
Exceptional organizational abilities, with the capacity to handle multiple tasks concurrently.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
Meticulous attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.