The Legal Officer Credit will provide dedicated legal support to the Credit function throughout the credit lifecycle by ensuring that facility and security documentation is legally sound, approved terms are properly documented, securities are validly created and perfected and recovery or enforcement actions are effectively supported. The role also provides timely legal advice on credit transactions to protect the Bank’s interests and ensure compliance with applicable laws, BCC requirements, OHADA provisions and internal policies.

Responsibilities or duties

• Review and prepare credit and security documentation, ensuring alignment with approved terms, applicable laws and the Bank’s policies.
• Provide legal advice to Credit and Business teams on lending structures, contractual terms, security arrangements and associated legal risks.
• Identify documentation gaps, legal risks and enforceability issues and recommend appropriate mitigants.
• Coordinate the creation, registration and perfection of mortgages, pledges, guarantees, assignments and other securities in favour of the Bank.
• Conduct or coordinate legal due diligence on collateral, ownership, title, corporate authority and other matters affecting the validity and enforceability of securities.
• Support the Bank’s recovery, restructuring and enforcement activities, including legal documentation, demand notices, settlements and security enforcement.
• Monitor credit-related litigation, recovery and security matters, ensuring timely escalation of risks and outstanding actions.
• Liaise with external counsel, notaries, public registries and relevant authorities on credit, security and recovery matters.
• Provide guidance on applicable DRC laws, OHADA requirements, BCC regulations and internal policies relevant to lending and recovery.
• Maintain accurate legal and security records and ensure that documentation is completed, properly executed and securely maintained within agreed timelines.

Qualifications or requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent law degree from a recognised institution.
• Good knowledge of DRC commercial and banking laws, OHADA legal framework, security creation/perfection and enforcement procedures.
• Practical experience in drafting and reviewing loan, security and commercial agreements.
• Strong legal drafting, contract review and legal research skills.
• Sound understanding of secured lending, collateral perfection and enforcement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and risk assessment skills.
• Good negotiation, communication and report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet agreed turnaround times.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and legal/document tracking tools.
• Proficiency in French and English is required.
• Working knowledge of Swahili and Lingala is an asset.

Experience needed

• Minimum 3 – 5 years’ relevant experience in banking/financial services legal practice, secured lending, commercial law or a reputable law firm supporting financial institutions.
• Experience in recoveries, litigation management and coordination with external counsel is desirable.

• Review and prepare credit and security documentation, ensuring alignment with approved terms, applicable laws and the Bank’s policies.
• Provide legal advice to Credit and Business teams on lending structures, contractual terms, security arrangements and associated legal risks.
• Identify documentation gaps, legal risks and enforceability issues and recommend appropriate mitigants.
• Coordinate the creation, registration and perfection of mortgages, pledges, guarantees, assignments and other securities in favour of the Bank.
• Conduct or coordinate legal due diligence on collateral, ownership, title, corporate authority and other matters affecting the validity and enforceability of securities.
• Support the Bank’s recovery, restructuring and enforcement activities, including legal documentation, demand notices, settlements and security enforcement.
• Monitor credit-related litigation, recovery and security matters, ensuring timely escalation of risks and outstanding actions.
• Liaise with external counsel, notaries, public registries and relevant authorities on credit, security and recovery matters.
• Provide guidance on applicable DRC laws, OHADA requirements, BCC regulations and internal policies relevant to lending and recovery.
• Maintain accurate legal and security records and ensure that documentation is completed, properly executed and securely maintained within agreed timelines.

• Strong legal drafting, contract review and legal research skills.
• Sound understanding of secured lending, collateral perfection and enforcement.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and risk assessment skills.
• Good negotiation, communication and report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail and accountability.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet agreed turnaround times.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and legal/document tracking tools.
• Proficiency in French and English is required.
• Working knowledge of Swahili and Lingala is an asset.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent law degree from a recognised institution.
• Minimum 3 – 5 years’ relevant experience in banking/financial services legal practice, secured lending, commercial law or a reputable law firm supporting financial institutions.
• Good knowledge of DRC commercial and banking laws, OHADA legal framework, security creation/perfection and enforcement procedures.
• Practical experience in drafting and reviewing loan, security and commercial agreements.
• Experience in recoveries, litigation management and coordination with external counsel is desirable.
• Admission to other relevant professional qualifications is an added advantage.