Legal Counsel & Secretary Role – ABSA Bank Tanzania

Legal Counsel and Company Secretary – ABSA Bank Tanzania

Location: Tanzania
Employment Type: Full-time
Sector: Banking
Date Posted: April 3, 2025

Overview

ABSA Bank is inviting applications for the position of Legal Counsel and Company Secretary. With over a century of experience and a reputation as a leading African financial institution, ABSA offers a unique opportunity to join a legacy of empowerment, innovation, and regional impact.

This role combines legal advisory functions with strategic corporate governance responsibilities, ensuring compliance and supporting the operational integrity of the bank. The successful candidate will be instrumental in aligning ABSA Tanzania’s legal and secretarial practices with both regional and international standards.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Advisory and Risk Management

• Develop and maintain robust legal and regulatory risk frameworks aligned with Absa Group Governance Standards.

• Provide legal counsel across all business units, particularly in regulatory compliance, financial crime, sanctions, and anti-money laundering.

• Manage relationships with external legal service providers and ensure efficient use of legal budgets.

Company Secretarial Oversight

• Act as the primary liaison between the Board of Directors, senior management, and the ABSA Group Secretariat.

• Ensure full compliance with the Group Governance Framework and maintain high standards of corporate governance.

• Coordinate audits (legal and governance) and ensure timely resolution of board-level issues.

• Oversee the preparation and timely submission of statutory filings, board documents, and regulatory reports.

• Organize and manage board meetings, general meetings, and committee sessions, including the preparation of minutes, resolutions, and necessary documentation.

• Facilitate director induction, training, and ongoing development.

• Administer company secretarial budgets and regulatory notifications.

Professional Competencies

Commercial Acumen

• Demonstrates proactive risk identification and mitigation strategies.

• Applies legal expertise within a business context to support strategic objectives.

• Strong negotiation skills and influence across cross-functional teams.

Customer Engagement

• Understands internal client needs and provides insightful, practical legal solutions.

• Builds and maintains strong professional relationships across departments.

Technical Expertise

• Strong command of legal reasoning and clear, concise legal writing.

• Comfortable interpreting complex legal concepts and presenting them to diverse audiences.

Problem Solving and Initiative

• Takes ownership of challenges and drives resolutions with accountability.

• Contributes to functional and cross-functional projects to enhance institutional capabilities.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Encourages a supportive, solution-oriented team environment.

• Openly shares knowledge and provides constructive feedback.

• Participates in initiatives that foster a positive workplace culture at ABSA.

Risk and Compliance Oversight

• Serve as crisis coordinator in major incidents, ensuring structured response.

• Regularly assess the legal and risk posture of the business unit.

• Stay current on legal and regulatory changes and evaluate their impact on operations.

• Ensure compliance with all internal policies and mandatory training.

Required Qualifications and Skills

Essential:

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent.

• Admission as an Advocate.

• Proficiency in English (spoken and written), legal drafting, and office software.

• Legal analytical skills and ability to work with data and spreadsheets.

Preferred:

• Experience in legal practice (private or in-house) with a focus on banking or commercial law.

Domain Expertise

• Banking law and financial services regulatory frameworks.

• Anti-money laundering and compliance standards.

• Drafting and reviewing commercial banking documentation.

• Experience in sourcing agreements and human resource/legal matters.

• Familiarity with civil litigation processes.

Absa’s Core Values

ABSA's values guide our conduct and form the foundation of our performance management and reward systems:

• Trust

• Resourcefulness

• Stewardship

• Inclusiveness

• Courage

Education

Required:
Bachelor Honours Degree in Law, Military Science, or Security.

How to Apply

CLICK HERE TO APPLY