Background

UMUTANGUHA FINANCE COMPANY PLC (UFC Plc) in acronyms, a company incorporated in Rwanda under TIN:101310843; exercising the micro finance business activities under the License of the Central Bank (BNR); B. P :2998 KIGALI; having its registered office in the City of Kigali, District of Nyarugenge, Sector Nyamirambo; KN2 Avenue, Building No. 177-in front of Kigali Pele stadium; 2nd floor, Tel: +250-788387730,Email:info@ufinance.co.rw wishes to externally recruit focused, results-oriented and suitably qualified professionals to fill the following position:

Responsibilities

• Draft and review loan contracts, ensuring all loan files are legally compliant before disbursement;
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other key documents, assessing their legal implications and advising UFC PLC accordingly;
• Prepare, review, and amend contractual instruments to facilitate and support various business activities;
• Enhance understanding of legal risks and obligations through training, communication, and advice, ensuring that staff are well-informed of relevant legal requirements;
• Collaborate with concerned departments to identify legal risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies;
• Oversee the progress of ongoing litigation and manage relationships with external Lawyers;
• Collaborate with Professional Court Bailiff in the execution of Court Cases and other related legal correspondences and make sure that they are executed successfully;
• Provide timely and practical legal opinions to guide decision-making processes in compliance with existing laws and regulations;
• Review ongoing legal cases and offer strategic advice to safeguard the interests of UFC PLC;
• Ensure adherence to legal compliance within internal policies and procedures;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with microfinance regulations governing the operations of UFC PLC;
• Handle correspondence with clients, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement, ensuring appropriate responses;
• Collaborate with various departments within UFC PLC to provide legal support and guidance as needed.
• Promptly identify and advise on conflicts of interest in alignment with UFC PLC policies and the Code of Conduct.
• Maintain all corporate records and documenting all corporate decisions;
• Collect all documents for drawdown on credit facility to ensure that the institution’s interest is adequately protected and conditions precedent met before disbursement.
• Provide legal advice to HR and Administration and to make sure about the compliance of Labor Laws and other related regulations
• Prepare and Maintain Litigation Schedule in collaboration with External Lawyers
• Verify and confirm letters of administration and other related correspondence of UFC PLC
• Attend matters in court on behalf of the UFC PLC
• Provide legal advice on litigation issues
• Maintain accurate records of all legal documents and precedents related to UFC PLC's activities;
• Ensure proper documentation and filing of contracts and other legal documentation used in financial services provision;
• Ensure that all court cases of UFC PLC are well organized; executed successfully and available at any time;
• Any other related duties assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

The candidate should hold a Bachelor's degree in Law or related field;

• Minimum of 2 years of relevant legal experience in the banking, microfinance sector or law firm;
• Prior experience in providing legal counsel and ensuring compliance within a financial institution;
• Deep understanding of relevant laws and regulations, with strong drafting and negotiation skills;
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities;
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential matters;
• Knowledge of IECMS (Integrated Electronic Case Management System) for following up on Court Cases of UFC PLC;
• Fluency in English, French, and Kinyarwanda, both written and spoken.

• Draft and review loan contracts, ensuring all loan files are legally compliant before disbursement;
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other key documents, assessing their legal implications and advising UFC PLC accordingly;
• Prepare, review, and amend contractual instruments to facilitate and support various business activities;
• Enhance understanding of legal risks and obligations through training, communication, and advice, ensuring that staff are well-informed of relevant legal requirements;
• Collaborate with concerned departments to identify legal risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies;
• Oversee the progress of ongoing litigation and manage relationships with external Lawyers;
• Collaborate with Professional Court Bailiff in the execution of Court Cases and other related legal correspondences and make sure that they are executed successfully;
• Provide timely and practical legal opinions to guide decision-making processes in compliance with existing laws and regulations;
• Review ongoing legal cases and offer strategic advice to safeguard the interests of UFC PLC;
• Ensure adherence to legal compliance within internal policies and procedures;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with microfinance regulations governing the operations of UFC PLC;
• Handle correspondence with clients, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement, ensuring appropriate responses;
• Collaborate with various departments within UFC PLC to provide legal support and guidance as needed.
• Promptly identify and advise on conflicts of interest in alignment with UFC PLC policies and the Code of Conduct.
• Maintain all corporate records and documenting all corporate decisions;
• Collect all documents for drawdown on credit facility to ensure that the institution’s interest is adequately protected and conditions precedent met before disbursement.
• Provide legal advice to HR and Administration and to make sure about the compliance of Labor Laws and other related regulations
• Prepare and Maintain Litigation Schedule in collaboration with External Lawyers
• Verify and confirm letters of administration and other related correspondence of UFC PLC
• Attend matters in court on behalf of the UFC PLC
• Provide legal advice on litigation issues
• Maintain accurate records of all legal documents and precedents related to UFC PLC's activities;
• Ensure proper documentation and filing of contracts and other legal documentation used in financial services provision;
• Ensure that all court cases of UFC PLC are well organized; executed successfully and available at any time;
• Any other related duties assigned by the supervisor

• Strong drafting and negotiation skills
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities
• High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential matters
• Knowledge of IECMS (Integrated Electronic Case Management System)
• Fluency in English, French, and Kinyarwanda, both written and spoken

• Bachelor's degree in Law or related field
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant legal experience in the banking, microfinance sector or law firm
• Prior experience in providing legal counsel and ensuring compliance within a financial institution
• Deep understanding of relevant laws and regulations