Senior Legal Officer – Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Recoveries

Senior Legal Officer – Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Recoveries

Employment Type: Full-time
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Job Summary

The Senior Legal Officer will be responsible for leading and managing legal matters relating to debt recovery, litigation, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and commercial advisory services. The role requires strong expertise in Tanzanian legal frameworks, financial services regulations, litigation management, and risk mitigation.

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The successful candidate will oversee high-volume legal cases, manage external legal partners, provide strategic legal advice to management, and ensure the organization operates within applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Litigation, Dispute Resolution & Debt Recoveries

Lead and manage a large portfolio of:

Debt recovery matters
Litigation cases
Dispute resolution processes

Handle legal matters arising from:

Digital credit products
Road Traffic Accidents
Other business activities

Manage the complete litigation lifecycle, including:

Demand notices
Court filings
Hearings
Execution processes
Settlements
Case closure

Develop and implement litigation, recovery, and enforcement strategies aligned with business objectives and risk appetite.
Supervise recovery and enforcement actions in collaboration with:

Collections teams
Credit Risk teams
Operations teams

Resolve legal complaints and disputes through effective negotiation and settlement strategies.

2. External Counsel & Legal Cost Management

Appoint, brief, manage, and evaluate:

External advocates
Law firms
Recovery partners

Monitor external legal service performance, including:

Case turnaround times
Success rates
Legal expenses

Ensure cost-effective legal outcomes.

3. Legal Operations, Records & Technology

Maintain accurate digital records of:

Litigation cases
Legal documents
Contracts
Case databases

Manage contract repositories and ensure:

Proper execution
Storage
Monitoring
Timely renewals

Utilize legal technology tools for:

Case tracking
Reporting
Analytics
Process automation
Legal cost optimization

4. Reporting & Legal Analytics

Prepare management reports and dashboards covering:

Case status
Litigation ageing
Recoveries
Legal costs
Risks
Expected outcomes

Provide strategic updates to management regarding:

Litigation exposure
Recovery performance
Emerging legal risks

5. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including:

Tanzanian laws
Microfinance (Non-Deposit Taking Microfinance Service Providers) Regulations
Data protection laws
Consumer protection laws
Financial services regulations

Oversee:

Licensing requirements
Regulatory reporting
Engagement with regulators

Develop and implement:

Legal policies
Compliance procedures
Risk management frameworks

Conduct legal research and monitor changes in:

Laws
Regulations
Judicial decisions

6. Corporate, Commercial & Advisory Support

Provide legal advice to management and business units on:

Corporate governance
Commercial contracts
Regulatory compliance
Litigation risks
Business transactions

Review, draft, negotiate, and approve legal documents including:

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)
Service agreements
Lease agreements
Financing documents
Other commercial contracts

Support business initiatives by identifying and mitigating legal and regulatory risks.

7. Stakeholder Engagement & Team Leadership

Collaborate with internal teams including:

Debt Collections
Customer Experience
Credit Risk
Compliance
Technology
Operations

Conduct legal awareness and training programs for employees.
Mentor and supervise junior legal officers.
Promote high standards of legal service delivery and professional development.

General Responsibilities

Perform other legal, compliance, and risk-related duties assigned by management.

Education & Professional Qualifications

Applicants must have:

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Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized institution.
Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Law School of Tanzania.
Admission to the Roll of Advocates in Tanzania.
Valid and active Practicing Certificate.

Experience Requirements

Minimum of 5 years post-admission professional legal experience.
Proven experience managing junior legal officers.
Experience working:

In-house within an organization
With financial institutions
Within the microfinance sector
With regulatory bodies (highly preferred)

Extensive experience in litigation management, particularly handling large volumes of cases.

Required Competencies & Skills

Strong knowledge of Tanzanian legal and regulatory frameworks, including:

Civil Procedure Code
Criminal Procedure Code
Bank of Tanzania Acts, Regulations, Guidelines, and Notices
Microfinance regulations
Data protection laws
Consumer protection laws

Excellent legal drafting and contract negotiation skills.
Strong dispute resolution abilities.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to interpret complex regulations and provide practical business solutions.
Proficiency in: