A. Legal Advisory and Corporate Legal Affairs

• Provide legal advice to the CEO, executive management, and relevant departments on business operations, commercial transactions, contractual obligations, and legal risks.

• Interpret applicable laws, regulations, directives, and legal requirements affecting the company's activities.

• Review, draft, and negotiate commercial agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements, vendor agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and other legal documents.

• Ensure that business transactions and operational activities are supported by appropriate legal documentation.

• Identify potential legal risks and recommend measures to protect the company's interests.

• Coordinate with external legal counsel on complex legal matters, disputes, and litigation when necessary.

• Advise management on changes in legislation and their implications for the company's operations.

B. Regulatory Compliance and Licensing

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive compliance management framework.

• Monitor applicable regulatory requirements issued by the National Bank of Ethiopia and other relevant authorities.

• Ensure that the company's activities comply with applicable licensing conditions and regulatory obligations.

• Coordinate regulatory applications, renewals, notifications, correspondence, and reporting, as applicable.

• Monitor regulatory developments affecting mobile money, digital payments, financial technology, and related services.

• Maintain a regulatory obligations register and ensure that responsible departments meet applicable compliance deadlines.

• Support management in assessing the regulatory implications of new products, services, partnerships, and business initiatives.

• Coordinate regulatory examinations, inspections, and requests for information.

C. Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing

• Oversee the development and implementation of applicable anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) policies and procedures.

• Support the establishment of appropriate customer due diligence, customer identification, and know-your-customer (KYC) controls.

• Ensure that applicable transaction monitoring, suspicious transaction escalation, and reporting procedures are established and maintained.

• Coordinate with relevant operational teams to identify and address potential financial crime risks.

• Monitor compliance with applicable sanctions-screening and other financial crime prevention requirements.

• Conduct or coordinate compliance risk assessments and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.

• Organize relevant compliance training for employees.

• Coordinate with the designated AML/CFT officer, where this is a separate position, to ensure clear responsibilities and effective oversight.

D. Data Protection and Information Governance

• Monitor compliance with applicable Ethiopian data protection, privacy, and information security requirements.

• Advise management on the lawful collection, processing, storage, use, sharing, and retention of personal and financial information.

• Review customer privacy notices, consent mechanisms, data-sharing agreements, and relevant contractual provisions.

• Work with the technology and information security teams to assess legal and compliance risks associated with digital platforms and customer data.

• Support the development of procedures for managing data breaches, privacy complaints, and information access requests.

• Ensure that third-party service agreements appropriately address confidentiality, data protection, and information security obligations.

E. Corporate Governance and Company Secretarial Support

• Support the establishment and maintenance of effective corporate governance policies and procedures.

• Ensure that corporate records, statutory documents, board resolutions, and other governance documents are properly maintained.

• Coordinate the preparation and documentation of board and management committee meetings, where assigned.

• Monitor compliance with applicable corporate filing and statutory reporting obligations.

• Advise management on conflicts of interest, ethical conduct, delegated authority, and governance requirements.

• Support the development and implementation of the company's Code of Conduct and related internal policies.

F. Compliance Risk Management and Internal Controls

• Identify, assess, document, and monitor legal and regulatory compliance risks.

• Develop a compliance risk register and establish appropriate monitoring and escalation procedures.

• Conduct periodic compliance reviews and assessments of business processes.

• Collaborate with Finance, Operations, Technology, and other departments to address compliance gaps.

• Recommend corrective actions and monitor their implementation.

• Establish clear procedures for reporting compliance concerns and escalating significant issues to management.

• Support internal audits and coordinate the timely resolution of compliance-related findings.

• Prepare periodic reports on compliance risks, regulatory developments, incidents, and remediation activities.

G. Policy Development and Implementation

• Develop, review, and update legal, compliance, and governance policies and procedures.

• Ensure that company policies reflect applicable legal requirements and relevant regulatory expectations.

• Establish procedures for policy approval, communication, implementation, and periodic review.

• Review business processes and contractual arrangements to identify potential legal and regulatory gaps.

• Provide practical guidance to departments on implementing compliance requirements.

H. Contracts and Third-Party Risk Management

• Review and assess contracts with banks, payment service providers, technology vendors, agents, merchants, and other business partners.

• Identify legal, regulatory, operational, and reputational risks associated with third-party relationships.

• Ensure that contracts contain appropriate provisions on confidentiality, data protection, liability, dispute resolution, and regulatory compliance.

• Support due diligence processes for business partners and service providers.

• Monitor contractual obligations and coordinate the resolution of legal issues arising from commercial relationships.

I. Regulatory Reporting and Stakeholder Relations

• Coordinate the preparation and submission of applicable regulatory reports in collaboration with responsible departments.

• Maintain effective professional relationships with regulators, government authorities, external legal counsel, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Respond to regulatory inquiries and coordinate the provision of requested documents and information.

• Ensure that regulatory correspondence and submissions are accurate, properly documented, and submitted within applicable deadlines.

• Keep management informed of significant regulatory changes and emerging compliance risks.

J. Leadership and Team Management

• Lead and supervise the Legal and Compliance Department.

• Establish departmental objectives, work plans, and performance indicators.

• Allocate responsibilities and ensure accountability for legal and compliance activities.

• Provide guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to team members.

• Promote a culture of integrity, transparency, ethical conduct, and regulatory compliance throughout the organization.

• Report significant legal matters, compliance breaches, and regulatory risks to the CEO and appropriate governance bodies.

Job Requirements

Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized institution.

• A master's degree in Law, Business Law, Financial Regulation, Compliance, or a related field is an advantage.

• Relevant professional certifications in compliance, AML/CFT, risk management, or corporate governance are desirable.

• Any professional licensing or practice requirements applicable to the role must be satisfied.

• Exepriance on Financial Technology is highly recommended

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in legal affairs, regulatory compliance, corporate governance, or a related field.

• At least 2 years of experience in a leadership, supervisory, or management role.

• Demonstrated experience drafting and reviewing commercial contracts and providing legal advice to management.

• Experience developing or implementing compliance policies, procedures, and risk management frameworks.

• Familiarity with Ethiopian commercial law, corporate law, employment law, data protection requirements, and applicable financial sector regulations.

• Experience working with regulators, external auditors, legal counsel, or government authorities.

• Experience in fintech, banking, mobile money, digital payments, telecommunications, or another regulated industry is highly desirable.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their updated CV and a cover letter explaining their relevant qualifications, professional experience, and suitability for the position.

Job Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Law, with an advanced degree or certifications in compliance, AML/CFT, risk management, or corporate governance preferred. The incumbent will provide legal and regulatory advice to executive leadership, draft and negotiate commercial agreements, and oversee compliance frameworks across financial technology, data protection, and corporate governance domains. Extensive experience in fintech or regulated industries is highly desirable. How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their updated CV and a cover letter explaining their relevant qualifications, professional experience, and suitability for the position.