ABOUT VENDEASE
Vendease is an e-procurement platform that allows restaurants in Africa to buy their food supplies directly from farmers and food manufacturers. Vendease is a Y-Combinator backed startup with offices in the United States and Africa and operations in Nigeria and Ghana.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Vice President, Legal and Compliance will be a key member of the leadership team and will have the primary responsibility of advising on and directing corporate legal matters relating to legal matters, commercial contracts and agreements, corporate governance, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), investor relations, equity operations, international expansion and compliance.
The ideal candidate must be a self-starter with proven experience managing a legal function, as well as be able to roll up their sleeves. In addition, the role holder will ensure the company complies with the statutory and corporate governance practices and guidelines as observed in the Tech industry.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Collaborate with executives to provide solutions to legal issues raised in contractual negotiations and on-going programs and develop risk mitigation strategies for the business, as appropriate.
- Understand the company’s strategy and value creation levers to ensure a well-rounded corporate legal strategy is developed and implemented.
- Anticipate and proactively develop a strategy to address changes in regulatory requirements and policy impacting startups/tech industry in Africa.
- Manage and coordinate meaningful reporting internally and externally, respond to information requests and proactively communicate regulatory changes and notifiable events
- Managing key documents - drafting, editing, negotiating, reviewing contracts including confidentiality agreements, customer contracts, provider contracts, business associate agreements, employment agreements, and various vendor contracts.
- Manage governance approach on all regulatory and legal issues.
- Oversee the delivery of legal services and resources to accomplish corporate goals, strategies, and priorities.
- Maintain proper corporate interactions with the relevant local, state and federal governmental bodies and other relevant entities.
- Ensure the maintenance of required regulatory licences for the business including regulatory reporting and filling, regulatory liaison, leading related audits and own remediation of any regulatory audit findings.
- Monitor the maintenance of the registers and other records required to be maintained by the Company under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).
- Assist in the development of guidelines, policies, procedures.
- Ensure (internal & external) compliance with guidelines, policies and procedures; investigate issues of non-compliance as may be required.
- Review and advice management on legal implications of internal policies and procedures.
- Conduct legal research relating to funding rounds, option scheme, employment agreement, general company law matters, etc.
- Ensure the development of service level agreements for service support and delivery.
- Liaise with third party legal consultants on behalf of management.
ROLE REQUIREMENTS
- 10+ years of experience as a qualified lawyer working on complex regulatory or technology matters in at least one or more of the top law firms in Nigeria in addition to e-commerce and fintech experience
- Member of the Nigerian Bar Association
- Demonstrable working experience and knowledge in contract law and one or more of the following areas: corporate law and governance, fundraising, commercial law and issues relating to SMEs, international expansion and compliance and/or employee option schemes
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to exercise sound judgement and discretion
- Credibility, professionalism, and confidence to implement best practice
- Proven people skills in terms of developing and motivating staff
BENEFITS
- Health Insurance
- Hybrid work schedule
- Paid time off (maternity/paternity leave, annual leave)
- 13th Month Pay
- Training and development opportunities
- Employee Stock Option
Vendease
