Senior Counsel, Nigeria

Senior Counsel, Nigeria at Paystack

Paystack, a technology firm dedicated to addressing payment challenges for ambitious businesses, is seeking a Senior Counsel for Nigeria, based in Lagos, for a full-time position.

About the Job:

• The Senior Counsel will bring expertise in the payments and/or finance industry, preferably with experience in an African law firm.
• This role involves ensuring Paystack’s products and business operations comply with legal, compliance, and regulatory standards.
• Reporting to the Legal and Regulatory Lead, the candidate will collaborate with various teams to provide pragmatic advice for sustainable growth. Ideally, the candidate should be based in Nigeria with flexibility for travel.

Responsibilities:

• Identify the company’s obligations based on financial/payment rules and regulations, working closely with legal, regulatory, and compliance teams.
• Draft and amend contractual templates for various business needs, including merchant services agreements, confidentiality agreements, and HR-related contracts.
• Assist with license applications and regulatory approvals and provide strategic advice to the board based on regulatory knowledge.
• Collaborate with external counsel to draft and review commercial contracts, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance and prompt conclusion of transactions.
• Represent Paystack in meetings with regulators and establish relationships aligned with company objectives.
• Assess changes to Paystack’s products and services for regulatory impact and ensure compliance through education and policy implementation.
• Advise on potential litigation matters and initiate legal proceedings with external counsel as necessary.
• Organize and attend board meetings, prepare minutes, and ensure timely statutory filings.
• Translate regulatory obligations into policies and procedures and collaborate with the compliance team for implementation.

Qualifications:

• At least 8 years of experience in a legal or compliance function, preferably as a qualified lawyer.
• Strong knowledge of the finance and/or payment industry.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal issues clearly.
• Proven ability to research, interpret, and summarize legal requirements and determine their impact on business initiatives.
• Capacity to handle multiple assignments under tight deadlines and advise management on anticipated issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-motivation to contribute to a fast-growing business.
• Proficiency in French would be advantageous.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary
• MacBook Pro
• Health insurance
• Hybrid working model
• Supportive colleagues invested in your growth.