ABOUT UNILEVER
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
CATEGORY/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION
Legal Function provides the legal support to business partners within the business unit/Country. We advise on all aspects of legal risk and opportunity in delivering the Business strategy and formulating legal solutions to business issues and legal challenges. This involves legal advice on core areas such as product claims, and product innovation, marketing and advertising law, regulatory and compliance matters (together with the Regulatory team), distribution, pricing, e-commerce and competition law, procurement, supply chain, factory related legal topics, corporate governance, consumer and customer issues including quality issues/product recalls, advocacy, regulatory procedures and / or litigation arising out of any of the areas mentioned in this summary. We are frequently the first point of contact for questions from business colleagues regarding intellectual property, brand protection, privacy /data protection law and competition law and typically handle those in close collaboration with expertise / specialist colleagues within the legal team. We also negotiate key contracts including agency, sponsorship, distribution, endorsements, events, partnerships, and talent agreements.
JOB PURPOSE
- Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. If you are
The role holder will be responsible for legal business partnering to the Ethiopia business with accountability for delivering timely, competent, and efficient legal services. S/he will provide legal counsel and advice to the Business and pro-actively scan for legal risks in order to identify, avoid, mitigate or manage them and drive proactive response to legal trends which may affect the business.
WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE
Interfaces with; -
Internal – Leadership Teams, Regional Legal Teams, Corporate Affairs, Regulatory teams
External – Company Registrars, External counsel and other third parties, Government agencies
1. Legal Advisory
- In consultation with the General Counsel, to provide legal advice to Functional and category teams as required from time to time.
- Provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take when issues arise which have legal implications on the business.
2. Commercial contracts and documentation
- Participate in the negotiation, drafting/review and approval of all material contracts.
- Ensure that all key Unilever contracts are legally compliant and Unilever interests are adequately safeguarded.
- Ensure that contracts are properly documented, executed and recorded for safekeeping.
- Be the point of contact for collation of information and advice for competitor’s challenges in Unilever Ethiopia
3. Legal compliance
- Monitor changes to law and promptly inform all relevant Teams of the changes and provide suggestions on how to meet any change in the legal requirements.
- Ensure that all permits, licences, are valid and that all conditions are complied with.
4. Litigation support & General Legal duties
- Be actively involved in potential litigation and ensure that Unilever’s interests are protected.
- Assist, coordinate and be involved in mergers, disposals, strategic alliances, acquisitions of Unilever companies or joint ventures.
- Participate, assist and liaise with corporate functional departments on technical service fee agreements, licensing and assignments as well as in dealing with third parties in matters of conflict and settlement.
- Maintain good relationships with central and local government authorities and agencies that are relevant to Unilever business interests and which are within the remit of the legal department.
- Manage legal implications of consumer complaints.
- 5. Company Secretarial duties
- Carry out statutory/regulatory duties prescribed for Company Secretary and all such duties as may be delegated to it by the Board of Directors from time to time.
- Provide a central source of guidance and advice to the Board and the Company on matters of ethics, conflict of interest and good corporate governance.
Experiences & Qualifications
- Must be a holder of a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB)
- Master’s Degree an added advantage
- Registered with respective legal council / Society with a valid certificate.
- Membership of Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (added advantage)
- At least 3-5 years relevant working experience in a Corporate or private practice
- Proven knowledge and experience in commercial law & practice.
- Good understanding and working knowledge of corporate law, competition law, intellectual property law, Ethiopian laws and regulations, company secretary experience and related disciplines.
Skills
- Risk Management
- Litigation
- Decision Making
- Problem Solving
- Business Acumen
- Stakeholder Management
- Collaboration
- External Communication
- Ability to work as a Business Partner within the business and with other sub-regional and regional lawyers.
- Excellent communication skills (oral & written)
- Good Negotiation skills.
- Attention to details and Analytical skills
Leadership
- You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.
- You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.
- Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
- PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others.
- PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.
- TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best.
- PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
- CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
- BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change.
Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.