Legal Counsel - DHL Legal Services

Job Purpose: 

Support to develop and administer legal processes and procedures to identify and mitigate legal risks and protect DHL's legal and business interests in line with business needs, established legal framework, standards, applicable laws and regulations

Providing legal support to DHL Supply Chain Africa and operating within the larger GBS Legal sphere.

Will form part of the Supply Chain Legal Services team, a division within GBS (the in-house services arm of DHL).  Will have responsibility to assist Head of Legal for Africa and advising the business on day-to-day legal matters (including contract drafting and review; dispute resolution; company secretarial) within the region and liaising, where necessary, with legal colleagues in other regions on cross border arrangements.  Travel will be necessary when required to meet the business needs. 

Your tasks: 

Legal Advice and Services

• Assist in providing a comprehensive legal service to DSC by advising on all legal aspects relating to the business of DSC, including the perusal and review of tender process, negotiation of contract and post contract interpretation and possible disputes. Where a dispute arises, meaningfully exploring alternatives to litigation; managing and implementing any alternative dispute resolution process successfully.
• Drafting and reviewing commercial documents in line with commercial expectations; BCA document and other internal policy/standards and advising on commercial transactions from a legal perspective.
• Maintaining up to date and proper records (including Passport; Notebook) and actioning all legal correspondence. Managing systems and processes to ensure efficiency in the administration of the legal function.
• Advise DSC on other legal aspects that affect its business, whether contractual or otherwise and answer all ad hoc queries raised by DSC.
• Ensure compliance by DSC with applicable group policies and procedures, namely by ensuring that contracts with service providers and clients are in compliance with the Company’s contracting standards and Commercial Expectations.
• Identify potential areas of risk and liability and advise on strategy for avoidance, minimization and/or mitigation, as well as escalating any material issues within the business and legal department where required. Provide legal updates and training to DSC on recent legal developments.
• Liaise with the group’s other departments (legal departments or otherwise) as necessary. eg. Company Secretarial, Corporate Real Estate, Risk and Insurance
• Liaise with the group’s other business units both in South Africa, UK and overseas as appropriate to facilitate the conclusion of transactions and other projects as necessary.
• Managing litigation: Liaise and assist in the management of external legal counsel and monitor and minimize use of legal spend (Including scrutinizing fee notes). 
• Liaising with all external lawyers to ensure timely representation and ensure that all court disputes are managed, reported upon and external counsel sufficiently advised. Provide accurate monthly reporting to business.
• Provide on occasion legal training and contract education to DSC. Eg. data protection regulations and the application of the Deutsche Post DHL Data Privacy Policy
• Company Secretarial: File company changes such as directorship changes, resolutions, annual returns, changes in ownership or shareholding. Train on corporate governance, advise the board and board committees on matters affecting the company. Responsible for resolution processes for authorized signatories, as well as maintaining statutory books and registers. Act as the key corporate secretarial support and the Statutory Meetings. Responsible for the preparation and provision of the board file and AGM file for the Company’s statutory meetings to the board members and/or shareholders.
• Proactive management on corporate governance and statutory compliance administration.
• Report to and consult country management on legal questions/ issues.
• Ensuring corporate housekeeping is maintained. Advising and facilitating the due process in Company searches and other government enquiries.
• Legal research and drafting legal opinions.
• Approvals on BCA and Contracts Database portals - ensuring adherence to standards.

Departmental Support and Growth

• An integral member of the GBS Legal Services UKIEEMEA team (MEAT Region).
• Attend various team meetings, know-how and training sessions and conferences.
• As part of shared legal services, support the needs of other Business Units in the region as workload permits to assist the overall Legal Service line.
• Liaise closely and where needed work with the Group Corporate Data Protection Officer and the Data Protection Advisor(s)

Finance & projects

• Assist in the design and delivery of legal training courses on legal topics relevant to the business.
• Assist with budget preparation for legal function in area of responsibility.

Required Experience: 

• Understanding of DPDHL's business operations, goals and strategies in area of responsibility.
• Commercial, pragmatic and decisive in approach.
• Self-confident with an ability to work autonomously, under pressure whilst managing priorities efficiently.
• Hardworking, detail-oriented and well-organized to engage and interact with their team members
• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Legal analytical skills, strategic thinking and ability to negotiate and settle transactions and disputes.
• Able to work under pressure, deal with volumes and meet tight deadlines.
• Conflict management skills and mitigation.
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience/qualification - Law Degree and preferably Admitted/Qualified Attorney in South Africa
• Suitable level of experience working in a commercial legal role (at least 3 years minimum). Ideally, experience of working as an in-house or corporate legal advisor.

We offer: 

• Great opportunity to work for the biggest logistics company in the world
• International and virtual environment
• Flexibility and great opportunity to learn
• Tempting Compensation and benefits