Job Description

ABOUT INKOMOKO 

Inkomoko supports entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in order to improve livelihoods, create jobs, and help communities thrive.

Founded in 2012, Inkomoko has worked with more than 60,000 entrepreneurs across East and Central Africa, including thousands of refugee entrepreneurs. Inkomoko provides a combination of training, consulting, access to finance, and market-level systems change.  We are the largest lender to refugee entrepreneurs in Africa.

Inkomoko has 650+ staff in 40 offices across Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Through Inkomoko’s 2030 strategic plan, we are adding 3 additional countries to serve more than 550,000 entrepreneurs and growing our $30M loan fund to impact 7M lives.

INKOMOKO VALUES

All staff at Inkomoko are connected to a shared set of organizational values:

• Purpose: be solutions-oriented, produce high-quality work, and be a global leader.
• Achievement: push yourself to reach beyond what you previously thought possible.
• Improvement: be humble, engage in continuous growth through open & accurate feedback
• Bravery: willing to take risks, create a safe space for others, be compassionate, and inclusive.
• We Eat Goat:  we celebrate success and support each other in hard times. We do this work together in the spirit of turikumwe, tuko pamoja, abren nen, Kula na sawa, On est ensemble.

Inkomoko is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Refugees, women, and persons who reflect the diverse communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Inkomoko is seeking a regionally-connected General Counsel to lead and coordinate all legal activities across Inkomoko’s operations in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad. This role requires a strategic thinker to oversee external legal advisors, ensure compliance, manage company registrations, guide litigation, and mitigate legal risks for the organization.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Legal Strategy and Oversight:

• Provide expert legal advice to the executive team and board of directors in alignment with our operational risk profile.
• Oversee all legal matters, including contracts, employment law, and regulatory compliance, and litigation/mediation as needed.
• Serve as corporate secretary for filing relevant board resolutions and various documents in all countries of operation.
• Support the continuous improvement of legal processes and procedures in Inkomoko

External Legal Advisor Management:

•  Identify, engage, and manage relationships with external legal advisors in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad, and evaluate their performance for improvement
•  Coordinate and oversee the work of external legal advisors to ensure high-quality and cost-effective legal services.
• Review and approve legal documents and advice provided by external legal advisors.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Develop and implement policies and procedures to manage legal risks and ensure organizational compliance in alignment with our risk framework.
• Keep abreast of legal developments, and proactively identify, analyze, and respond to legislative developments affecting the countries where Inkomoko operates
• Conduct regular compliance audits and legal risk assessments
• Provide legal training and support to staff on relevant legal issues as needed.

Contract Management:

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other legal documents.
• Ensure that all contracts comply with legal requirements and protect the organization’s interests.
• Maintain a centralized contract management system.

Dispute Resolution:

• Manage and resolve legal disputes, including litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
• Represent Inkomoko in legal proceedings as necessary.

Note: The job description is subject to change based on the needs of the organization and evolving legal requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in multiple jurisdictions across Africa, including at least 3 of Inkomoko’s countries of operations.
• Admission to practice law in at least one of the relevant countries
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience, with at least 5 years in a senior role
• Extensive experience managing external legal advisors
• Strong knowledge of local and international laws relevant to banking & NGO sectors
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to social impact and sustainable development.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Goal-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, including deep investment in your learning
• Diverse colleagues and policies are committed to equity and inclusion.
• Talented, passionate, and committed team colleagues across the region
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community.
• Generous health insurance, staff savings, parental leave, sabbatical, and more benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re excited about this role, please submit your application through the: JOBS PORTAL. Tell us about what you’ll bring to this growing company.

Application deadline is on the 28th February 2025 (applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, apply now!)

Inkomoko is committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.  As we seek to reflect the communities we serve, refugees and women are strongly encouraged to apply. As a company we have policies that ensure fair treatment in the application process.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and other verification as needed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and background screening checks. Inkomoko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse. By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.