Legal Counsel

About DHL and Legal Services: 

Deutsche Post DHL (DHL Group) the logistics provider of the world with over 580,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories. We are an organization that is not just moving goods around, we have a very clear purpose, and we are: Connecting People. Improving Lives.  We provide challenges and opportunities for personal and professional development, we recognize the difference you bring to our business and together we share the pride of building one of the largest world leaders in logistics and supply chain.   

DHL Legal Services offers all business partners worldwide solution-oriented legal advice. We provide comprehensive support in contracts, negotiations, and processes with customers and suppliers as well as in general litigation and commercial law matters. 

In a matrix organization, Legal Services is organized on the one hand according to regions and on the other hand according to global cross-sectional topics. 

Job Purpose: 

Support to develop and administer legal processes and procedures to identify and mitigate legal risks and protect DHL's legal and business interests in line with business needs, established legal framework, standards, applicable laws and regulations

Providing legal support to DHL Supply Chain Africa and operarting within the larger GBS Legal sphere.

Will form part of the Supply Chain Legal Services team, a division within GBS (the in-house services arm of DHL).  Will have responsibility to assist Head of Legal for Africa and advising the business on day-to-day legal matters (including contract drafting and review; dispute resolution; company secretarial) within the region and liaising, where necessary, with legal colleagues in other regions on cross border arrangements.  Travel will be necessary when required to meet the business needs. 

Your tasks: 

Legal Advice and Services

• Assist in providing a comprehensive legal service to DSC by advising on all legal aspects relating to the business of DSC, including the perusal and review of tender process, negotiation of contract and post contract interpretation and possible disputes. Where a dispute arises, meaningfullly exploring alternatives to litigation; mananing and implementing any alternative dispute resolution process successfully.
• Drafting and reviewing commercial documents in line with commercial expectations; BCA document and other internal policy/standards and advising on commercial transactions from a legal perspective.
• Maintaining up to date and proper records (including Passport; Notebook) and actioning all legal correspondence. Managing systems and processes to ensure efficiency in the administration of the legal function.
• Advise DSC on other legal aspects that affect its business, whether contractual or otherwise and answer all ad hoc queries raised by DSC.
• Ensure compliance by DSC with applicable group policies and procedures, namely by ensuring that contracts with service providers and clients are in compliance with the Company’s contracting standards and Commercial Expectations.
• Identify potential areas of risk and liability and advise on strategy for avoidance, minimisation and/or mitigation, as well as escalating any material issues within the business and legal department where required. Provide legal updates and training to DSC on recent legal developments.
• Liaise with the group’s other departments (legal departments or otherwise) as necessary. eg. Company Secretarial, Corporate Real Estate, Risk and Insurance
• Liaise with the group’s other business units both in South Africa, UK and overseas as appropriate to facilitate the conclusion of transactions and other projects as necessary.
• Managing litigation: Liaise and assist in the management of external legal counsel and monitor and minimise use of legal spend (Including scrutenizing fee notes). 
• Liaising with all external lawyers to ensure timely representation and ensure that all court disputes are managed, reported upon and external counsel sufficiently advised. Provide accurate monthly reporting to business.
• Provide on occasion legal training and contract education to DSC. Eg. data protection regulations and the application of the Deutsche Post DHL Data Privacy Policy
• Company Secretarial: File company changes such as directorship changes, resolutions, annual returns, changes in ownership or shareholding. Train on corporate governance, advise the board and board committees on matters affecting the company. Responsible for resolution processes for authorised sigantories, as well as maintaining statutory books and registers. Act as the key corporate secretarial support and the Statutory Meetings. Responsible for the preparation and provision of the board file and AGM file for the Company’s statutory meetings to the board members and/or shareholders.
• Proactive management on corporate governance and statutory compliance administration.
• Report to and consult country management on legal questions/ issues.
• Ensuring corporate housekeeping is maintained. Advising and facilitating the due process in Company searches and other government enquiries.
• Legal research and drafting legal opinions.
• Approvals on BCA and Contracts Database portals - ensuring adherance to standards.

Departmental Support and Growth

• An integral member of the GBS Legal Services UKIEEMEA team (MEAT Region).
• Attend various team meetings, know-how and training sessions and conferences.
• As part of shared legal services, support the needs of other Business Units in the region as workload permits to assist the overall Legal Service line.
• Liaise closely and where needed work with the Group Corporate Data Protection Officer and the Data Protection Advisor(s)

Finance & projects

• Assist in the design and delivery of legal training courses on legal topics relevant to the business.

Assist with budget preparation for legal function in area of responsibility.

Required Experience: