Legal Counsel

• Act as the primary in-house legal point of contact for the African automotive leasing business
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of French and English-language contracts including installment-sale agreements, leasing contracts, pledge and security documents, distribution agreements and ancillary contracts
• Support vehicle repossession processes (amicable and judicial), including liaison with notaries, bailiffs and local courts in French-speaking African jurisdictions
• Conduct and supervise legal due diligence on African counterparties (verification of corporate status, signatory powers, litigation checks, licences, etc.)
• Coordinate with local external counsel and corporate service providers across multiple African jurisdictions
• Provide practical, commercial legal opinions and internal memos on OHADA law, local civil and commercial legislation, security registration and enforcement procedures
• Draft powers of attorney, board resolutions, policies and routine corporate documentation
• Support employment, compliance and regulatory matters linked to the African operations
• Work closely with the group’s Head of Legal and business teams in Muscat and Abidjan

• Law degree (LLB, Master 1 or 2 in Law) from a recognised university
• qualification in French law, OHADA law or common-law jurisdiction
• Minimum 4 years of relevant legal experience gained in-house (leasing/financial services preferred) or with a reputable law firm active in Francophone Africa
• Native or fully fluent French (mandatory) with strong legal drafting skills in French
• Professional working proficiency in English (both written and spoken)
• Solid understanding of secured lending, leasing contracts, vehicle repossession procedures and corporate law in at least two Francophone African countries
• Hands-on experience with OHADA Uniform Acts (particularly securities, companies and debt recovery) is highly desirable
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills
• Proactive, well-organised and able to manage a varied workload autonomously

Previous exposure to the automotive or equipment leasing sector is a strong advantage