Regional Legal Counsel

About the role

The organization operates across 17 markets on three continents as an international fintech company known as Eleving Group, focused on financing for vehicles and consumers. Its core mission involves promoting upward social mobility across varied communities by extending access to credit for entrepreneurs who are typically excluded from traditional banking. Through a blend of financing backed by assets, innovations in financial technology, underwriting powered by artificial intelligence, and in-house car platforms, it helps riders of motorcycle taxis, drivers for Uber and Bolt, and owners of small businesses purchase their own vehicles and secure loans to grow their enterprises. The Africa Hub legal team is looking for a legally trained professional with a commercial orientation to join this effort. The role is primarily centered on corporate and commercial law, supporting the Group's growing operations across multiple African jurisdictions, and offers real exposure across borders and visibility within the Group.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Draft, review, and negotiate loan agreements, vendor contracts, and service arrangements across the region.
• Maintain and improve agreement management systems to ensure uniformity in how contracts are handled.
• Advise business teams on commercial and operational issues with clear, actionable guidance.
• Partner with colleagues from different departments to spot and reduce legal exposure early.
• Assist with regulatory obligations and compliance matters as they arise in various African markets.
• Build and refine internal rules and procedures that support the growing regional team.
• Manage corporate oversight activities including company records, board meetings, and shareholder-related affairs.
• Work with outside law firms in different countries to handle legal matters efficiently.
• Help the Regional Head of Legal and Compliance with any additional legal tasks.
• Support the standardization of legal documentation and templates used across multiple jurisdictions.
• Review and update existing legal frameworks to align with evolving business needs.
• Participate in due diligence for corporate transactions and other strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Hold a Master of Laws degree from a recognized institution as a top academic qualification.
• Possess a Bachelor of Laws degree as the foundational academic credential required for entry.
• Have accumulated at least 5 years of legal practice experience after admission in a professional setting.
• Bring prior internal legal experience from financial services, fintech, or other regulated industries as an advantage.
• Demonstrate hands-on experience in drafting and negotiating business agreements of various types and complexity.
• Show familiarity with experience working across multiple legal systems, and exposure to African markets is welcomed by the team.
• Have some background in building or enhancing legal procedures within an organization to improve efficiency.
• Communicate effectively in both written and spoken English with clarity, precision, and professionalism.
• Remain organized and reliable while handling several responsibilities and consistently hitting target dates.
• Work alongside teams outside the legal department and demonstrate willingness to partner across functional boundaries.

Nice to have

• Prior experience working in supervised industries such as banking or insurance sectors is valued.
• Familiarity with setting up legal departments or improving existing workflows in new and emerging markets.
• Knowledge of multiple African legal systems and their respective regulatory frameworks and requirements.
• Ability to mentor and guide junior legal staff across different country offices and jurisdictions.
• Understanding of fintech business models and the unique legal challenges they present in developing markets.

Skills & tools

• Strong commercial drafting ability with careful attention to contract language, structure, and overall detail.
• Capacity to turn legal ideas into practical steps that non-lawyers can follow and act on.
• Foundational understanding of corporate governance principles and general company law as they apply to businesses.
• Comfort working in rapidly changing settings with limited resources and tight timelines without sacrificing quality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and standard legal research platforms for daily tasks.
• Collaborative mindset for working alongside teams outside the legal department on cross-functional projects and shared objectives.
• Leadership capability to develop, guide, and oversee junior legal colleagues operating in various markets.

Practical notes

• The role requires relocation to Nairobi, Kenya, with regular travel across multiple African markets.
• The position reports directly to the Regional Head of Legal and Compliance for day-to-day direction.
• International candidates are encouraged to apply, and the company supports visa processing and relocation logistics.
• Benefits include a monthly housing allowance, periodic flights back to your home country, and health coverage.
• A comprehensive health insurance package is provided for the employee and their family members.