Assistant Legal Counsel - Anglophone West Africa

DHL
Assistant Legal Counsel
Anglophone West Africa
Reporting to Senior Legal Counsel AWA and SSA
Location – TBC
Business Unit – DHL Express Legal
RCS GRADE J
IT'S NOT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON THE CAREER LADDER.
IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE WORLD GET ON TOGETHER
Why do people call us the world's most international company? Is it because we operate in more countries than any other logistics provider? Is it because we invented cross-border shipping over 45 years ago? Or is it, perhaps, because what we do connects people across the world. And the more we can connect people, the better life on earth becomes.
We love our role in the world and we're looking for the right people to help us maintain – and grow it. People like you.
CONNECTING PEOPLE. IMPROVING LIVES.
Role Context
The Assistant Legal Counsel is a legal professional advising the Express business primarily in Nigeria and Ghana, as well as Liberia, Gambia or Sierra Leone if required, on all legal matters including employment, labour, eCommerce, tax, commercial negotiations, postal regulation and other critical legal areas.
This role is responsible for defining and recommending legal strategies, supervising litigation to mitigate the organization's legal exposure, and working with Legal Counsel, Head of Legal/supervisor and external counsels to establish best-in-class legal processes and procedures to ensure legal risks are identified and mitigated across Anglophone West Africa operations.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Advisory & Risk Management

• Advise DHL Express on legal and related risks associated with DPDHL's operations in Anglophone West Africa
• Analyse and interpret case law, court reports, and proposed and existing laws and regulations to ascertain how they will impact the organization's operations
• Provide first-line legal expertise to DHL Express and other Business Units when requested
• Review legal analysis and technical reports, making recommendations on how to respond to legal issues or proposed changes in laws and regulations
• Advise business on legal trends and developing areas of law
• Implement legal risk mitigation strategies
  

Contract Management & Corporate Governance

• Review and approve legal contracts with customers, suppliers, and partners, including letters of agreement and other documents related to trade, corporate, commercial, financial, regulatory, postal, administrative law, labour/employment, customs and operational matters
• Manage loans, leases, purchase agreements, employment contracts and provide internal trainings to protect the organization's legal and business interests
• Oversee recapitalization of legal entities in West Africa and all follow-up on corporate documents of DHL affiliates
• Ensure organization's legal interests are best represented and protected in customer, vendor and third-party contracts
• Actively participate in negotiating contracts in area of responsibility
  

Litigation & Claims Management

• Hold primary responsibility for defending the organization's legal interests in litigation and claims, including management of significant external legal spend in the sub-region
• Supervise litigation processes to mitigate legal exposure and protect DHL's interests
• Coordinate with external counsels to manage complex legal matters effectively
  

Financial & Budget Management

• Work with supervisor to better manage internal and external legal spend in area of responsibility
• Assist with minimizing external legal spend through effective resource management
• May assist with budget preparation for legal function
  

Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a member of a team responsible for assuring organization's legal interests are protected
• Demonstrate ability to adapt to changing priorities in a dynamic business environment
• Collaborate with Legal Counsel and Head of Legal to establish best-in-class legal processes and procedures
  

Minimum Requirements
Experience & Knowledge

• 2-5 years of legal practice either within a commercial law firm or in-house legal department
• Growing understanding of DPDHL's business operations, goals and strategies in area of responsibility
• Subject matter expert with ability to apply legal knowledge and expertise in business environment
• Anglophone Africa geographical knowledge
• Strong analytical skills with ability to assess complex legal issues
  

Educational Qualification

• University law degree (LL.B or equivalent)
• Professional law qualifications required
• Bar Affiliation appreciated and preferred
  

Core Competencies & Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills – Ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly to non-legal stakeholders
• Legal expertise – Deep knowledge in employment, labour, eCommerce, tax, commercial law, postal regulation, customs, and administrative law
• Analytical thinking – Strong ability to analyze case law, regulations, and legal documents
• Business acumen – Understanding of how legal decisions impact business operations
• Negotiation skills – Proven ability to negotiate favorable contract terms
• Adaptability – Ability to manage changing priorities and work under pressure
• Team collaboration – Works effectively with cross-functional teams and external counsels
  

Essential Requirements: This role requires a qualified legal professional with strong analytical skills, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to apply legal expertise in a fast-paced international business environment. Experience in Anglophone Africa and understanding of regional legal frameworks is critical for success.
Career Development
This role provides excellent opportunities for career growth within DHL's Legal function across Sub-Saharan Africa. Successful performance as Assistant Legal Counsel positions you for progression to senior legal roles including Legal Counsel and Head of Legal positions, with opportunities to develop strategic leadership skills and take on broader regional or global legal responsibilities.
DHL provides a wide range of career opportunities at different levels all over the world. As an employee, you will have the possibility to develop yourself personally and professionally through successful teamwork.
Together we build a company we can truly be proud.
If you meet the qualifications for this role, please submit your application through our career portal at:
Assistant Legal Counsel Anglophone West Africa | Legal
We are looking forward to your application
FOR INTERNAL USE
<