Job Description:

Abahizi CBC Company Secretary and Legal Counsel

About Abahizi CBC:

Abahizi CBC is Rwanda's B-Corp certified, and an employee-owned premier handbag manufacturing Company that manufactures products for global luxury brands. 

Established in 2013 as a for profit Company, the Company embraces social

enterprise principles to create economic and social impact for all stakeholders: our business, our employees, our clients and our community.

Abahizi CBC integrates lean manufacturing methodologies in its manufacturing processes operations for efficiency and to match international manufacturing standards. Abahizi CBC is committed to delivering high quality products to its global clients.

We are driven by the social commitment to uplift the livelihoods of our employees and transform the community in which we serve. As over 90% of our employees are women, we therefore exist to create a world in which women’s rights are empowered to make social and economic impact in the communities in which they live.

About the Position:

The purpose of this role is to support Abahizi CBC and its subsidiaries in the development and the implementation of all relevant laws governing the luxury and non-luxury handbag manufacturing industry, and the management of all Company risks, disputes, and litigation matters.

The Company Secretary and Legal Counsel will oversee and manage the provisions of all legal services to the Company to ensure maximum protection of its rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by the law. In addition, this individual will provide strategic guidance, consultation, and support to the Board of Directors, senior management, and other Company stakeholders on a comprehensive range of legal and associated corporate issues involved in carrying out the core mission of the Company.

Company Secretary Support:

• As the Company Secretary, this individual will support the scheduling and coordination of Board meetings and provide secretarial support where required;
• Take minutes and resolutions of the meeting, ensure that they are properly stored for future reference, and implemented
• File annual narrative reports and financial reports with the competent institutions
• Keep and maintain the Company’s statutory registers, board books, and other legal records
• Collect and preserve decisions carrying jurisprudence concerning legal matters of the Company
• Draft legal documents regarding the Company and deliver legal opinions against relevant laws, instructions, regulations, and procedures.

Legal Counsel Support:

Provide Legal Advice/Opinion on Litigious Files Involving the Company

• Provide advice to the Company on business law issues and manage all Company legal matters that include but not limited to, corporate governance matters, procurement, safety & health, security, insurance, and sustainability issues.
• Draft legal documents regarding the Company and deliver legal opinions against the laws, instructions, regulations, and procedures.
• Deal with labor disputes and represent the Company in the labor inspection’s office(s).
• Draft and negotiate simple and complex contracts in relation to the Company’s core business.
• Prepare model contracts, MoUs,MoAs, and decisions to be adopted and used by the Company.
• Facilitate the interpretation of sectoral applicable laws, instructions, regulations, and procedures.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with applicable laws, instructions, regulations, and procedures.
• Analyze contentious files and/or requests emanating from companies related Abahizi CBC and propose solutions to competent authorities and partners.

Liaise with Government and Private Sector entities in Legal Matters

• Work closely with Government and other Institutions that are actively involved in legal practice and enforcement in Rwanda, East Africa, Africa and outside Africa.
• Represent the Company and follow up on all cases in courts and ensure timely progress reports are shared with management.
• Initiate and play an active role in out-of-court dispute settlement sessions and ensure the interests of the Company are preserved.

Conduct Legal Research

• Carry out legal research and identify potential issues that may put the Company in a liability position and provide recommendations and represent the Company in mitigating such issues.
• Propose new amendments and revisions of existing Company legal instruments and documents related to the core business.
• Anticipate and manage legal risks related to or resulting from the business strategy and operations.

Compliance with Company Policies and Procedures

• Ensure company policies and procedures documents are put in place.
• In partnership with department heads, ensure all Company policies and procedures are adhered to, and implemented.
• Support management in the revision policies, procedures, and other key Company documents and their subsequent approval by the Board of Directors.
• Ensure all Company legal documents and key documents are properly filed and stored.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit all relevant documents via: info@abahizi.com 

Application deadline: Mar 12, 2025