Legal Officer - French Speaking

Job title : Legal Officer – French Speaking

Description

• Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited is a leading player in Nigeria’s poultry and agricultural value chain, committed to delivering quality poultry products and supporting sustainable growth across the industry.
• We are seeking a highly competent, commercially minded and French-speaking Legal Officer to join our team and provide effective legal support across the Company's business operations.
• The Legal Officer will provide comprehensive legal advisory and operational support to the business, ensuring that the Company's activities, transactions, contracts and relationships are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulatory requirements and established corporate standards.
• The successful candidate will work closely with Management and various business functions to identify legal risks, provide practical legal solutions, protect the Company's interests and support the achievement of its commercial objectives.

Responsibilities
Legal Advisory & Business Support:

• Provide timely and practical legal advice to Management and business units on day-to-day operational and commercial matters.
• Advise on legal risks associated with business decisions, transactions, partnerships and operational activities.
• Conduct legal research and interpret relevant legislation, regulations, judicial decisions and regulatory directives affecting the Company's operations.
• Provide legal opinions and recommendations on matters referred to the Legal function.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulatory requirements and advise Management on their potential impact on the business.

Contracts & Commercial Transactions:

• Draft, review, negotiate and manage commercial agreements, service agreements, supply agreements, distribution agreements, leases, memoranda of understanding and other contractual documents.
• Review contracts submitted by internal departments and identify commercial and legal risks.
• Ensure appropriate contractual protections, obligations, liabilities, warranties, indemnities and termination provisions are incorporated into agreements.
• Support contract negotiations with customers, suppliers, consultants, contractors, business partners and other stakeholders.
• Maintain proper records of contracts and monitor contractual obligations, renewals, expirations and compliance.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Support the Company in maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
• Liaise with relevant government agencies, regulators and other statutory bodies on legal and compliance matters.
• Monitor regulatory developments relevant to poultry, agriculture, food production, employment, environmental matters, commercial transactions and other areas affecting the Company's operations.
• Identify potential areas of compliance exposure and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Support the development and review of legal and compliance policies, procedures and internal controls.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution:

• Assist in managing litigation, claims, disputes and other legal proceedings involving the Company.
• Liaise with external solicitors and other legal advisers on litigation and dispute-resolution matters.
• Prepare briefs, documentation and relevant information required for legal proceedings.
• Maintain an effective register and monitoring system for ongoing disputes, claims and litigation.
• Support alternative dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation and settlement where appropriate.

Corporate & Governance Support:

• Provide legal support on corporate governance and statutory matters.
• Assist with the preparation and review of corporate resolutions, notices, legal correspondence and other governance documentation.
• Support the Company in maintaining proper corporate and statutory records.
• Assist with due diligence exercises, business transactions and other corporate projects.
• Review and advise on legal implications of proposed business initiatives and strategic partnerships.

French-Speaking Responsibilities

• Provide legal support for transactions and business relationships involving French-speaking clients, partners, suppliers, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Draft, review and interpret legal and commercial correspondence and documents in both English and French.
• Translate legal and commercial documents between English and French where required.
• Participate in meetings, negotiations and discussions involving French-speaking stakeholders.
• Ensure that legal and contractual obligations involving Francophone markets or counterparties are properly understood and managed.
• Support cross-border transactions and engagements involving French-speaking jurisdictions, where applicable.

Legal Risk Management:

• Identify, assess and escalate legal risks that may affect the Company's operations, reputation or financial interests.
• Recommend appropriate measures to minimise legal exposure.
• Review business processes and documentation from a legal-risk perspective.
• Support Management in developing practical solutions to emerging legal issues.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from a recognised university.
• Must be called to the Nigerian Bar and possess a valid BL qualification.
• Minimum of 3–5 years post-call legal experience, preferably within a corporate, commercial, manufacturing, FMCG, agriculture, poultry or related business environment.
• Fluency in French and English is mandatory, with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages.
• Demonstrable experience in commercial contract drafting and negotiation.
• Sound knowledge of Nigerian corporate, commercial, employment and regulatory laws.
• Experience managing or supporting litigation and dispute resolution will be an advantage.
• Experience working with French-speaking clients, companies or international stakeholders is highly desirable.
• Strong legal research, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to translate legal requirements into practical business solutions.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritise competing demands and work effectively under pressure.

Key Competencies

• Commercial & Corporate Law
• Contract Drafting & Negotiation
• Legal Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution
• Legal Research & Analysis
• Corporate Governance
• Stakeholder Management
• French–English Legal Communication
• Negotiation & Advocacy
• Business Acumen
• Confidentiality & Professional Ethics