MTN Nigeria is part of the MTN Group, Africa’s leading cellular telecommunications company. On May 16, 2001, MTN became the first GSM network to make a call following the globally lauded Nigerian GSM auction conducted by the Nigerian Communications Commission earlier in the year. Thereafter the company launched full commercial operations beginning with Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. MTN paid $285m for one of four GSM licenses in Nigeria in January 2001. To date, in excess of US$1.8 billion has been invested building mobile telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria. Since launch in August 2001, MTN has steadily deployed its services across Nigeria. It now provides services in 223 cities and towns, more than 10,000 villages and communities and a growing number of highways across the country, spanning the 36 states of the Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Many of these villages and communities are being connected to the world of telecommunications for the first time ever. The company’s digital microwave transmission backbone, the 3,400 Kilometre Y’elloBahn was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo in January 2003 and is reputed to be the most extensive digital microwave transmission infrastructure in all of Africa. The Y’elloBahn has significantly helped to enhance call quality on MTN network.
Mission:
To manage the company’s contractual arrangements regarding drafting, legality, structuring, fiscal efficiency, and compliance, ensuring that all practices, policies, and business activities fall within the bounds of the company’s legal posture.
Description:
Provide technical leadership/advice in the formulation and development of Legal and Regulatory framework, policies/guidelines and ensure compliance of operations with MTN policies and procedures.
Advise management and team members on practices in the areas of commercial and business law, research applicable laws, and provide recommendations on the legal consequences of business initiatives.
Conduct due diligence and structuring of deals relating to commercial transactions, effectively managing transitions/transformational issues and risks between entities and external parties with special consideration to the relevant business policies.
Give support towards influencing government and Regulatory policies affecting the Company’s businesses.
Draft and advise on company contracts relating to supplier agreements, as well as gather/evaluate relevant facts on decisions and highlight attendant risks.
Provide legal advice; effect best-practice legal services within assigned entities; and negotiate various agreements following requests from divisions.
Carry out complex legal assignments requiring substantive legal knowledge in diverse practice areas, with an emphasis on securities, corporate, and contract law.
Supervise the development of appropriate responses to employment and other claims; supervise litigated matters; and work with outside counsel at regular intervals.
Regularly monitor and review the resources of the department, ensuring they are allocated and utilized in a cost-effective and financially disciplined manner and in line with budget provisions.
Translate strategy into action and manage risks while maintaining the achievement of business objectives.
Collaborate with other business units in the development of business models for use in MTNN and develop measurement strategies to support ongoing strategy development and project optimization.
Work with external solicitors to manage all ongoing litigation, dispute resolution matters, outside counsel and other advisors appropriately.
Coach and mentor the Commercial Legal team to ensure understanding of the objectives and goals of the department, awareness of all related job requirements and accountabilities, and leverage human resources career development programs for staff career development.
Identify, evaluate, and track the development needs and performance of MTNN staff within the department, providing opportunities for staff to build on the company’s investment in their training and improve productivity.
Review the performance of individual team members and complete appraisals in accordance with the employee performance appraisal procedures and time schedules.
Education:
LLB and BL
First degree in any relevant discipline/Masters advantageous
Fluent in English and the language of the country, preferable
Experience:
9-17 years of legal work experience in commercial legal practice or within the Legal Department of a reputable and structured business environment, preferably a multinational corporation.
Manager track record of 5 years or more, with at least 3 years in relevant sector/industry
Worked across diverse cultures and geographies advantageous
Ability to perform sophisticated legal analysis
High levels of comfort and confidence with contract management and overseeing of transactions
Strong and effective business communication (verbal and writing skills)
Ability to plan and execute numerous complex projects under pressure
In-depth experience and understanding of the Nigerian framework
Demonstrated business acumen and superior judgment