About Agora Microfinance Zambia

Agora Microfinance Zambia (AMZ) is a rural microfinance company that operates under a non-deposit microfinance licence from the Bank of Zambia.

Currently, the company works with some 150,000 clients in all provinces of Zambia through 40 branches and a staff of 500. The company aims to expand and strengthen its operations, with a long-term goal of further national reach, strong financial and social performance, and overall contribution to the Zambian economy and society.

Job Purpose

The Legal and Company Secretary is responsible for providing comprehensive legal support to Agora Microfinance Zambia and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, and corporate governance requirements. The role supports the Board of Directors and oversees legal risk management, contract review, compliance monitoring, and governance activities.

This will involve, amongst others, the following activities:

Key Responsibilities

1. Company Secretarial Duties

• Organise, coordinate, and attend Board and Board Committee meetings.
• Prepare and circulate notices, agendas, board packs, and minutes.
• Maintain statutory registers and ensure timely filing of all regulatory returns with PACRA, Bank of Zambia, and other regulators.
• Advise the Board on corporate governance principles and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure board resolutions are properly recorded, communicated, and implemented.
• Facilitate director induction, training, and board evaluations.
• Maintain secure governance records and manage official company documentation.

2. Legal Advisory and Compliance

• Provide legal opinions and guidance on matters affecting AMZ operations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements.
• Ensure organisational compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage litigation, disputes, and engagement with external counsel.
• Monitor legal and regulatory updates and advise management accordingly.
• Develop and review policies, procedures, and compliance guidelines.

3. Risk Management

• Identify and assess legal and regulatory risks.
• Implement risk mitigation processes and controls.
• Maintain a legal risk register and report key risks to management and the Board.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with regulators such as BOZ, PACRA, ZRA, NAPSA, and others.
• Guide departments on legal and compliance requirements.
• Act as custodian of company seals, legal documents, and governance records.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB).
• Advocate of the High Court of Zambia with a valid Practising Certificate.
• Professional qualification in Corporate Governance (e.g., ICSA/CGI) is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in corporate legal practice, ideally in financial services or a regulated industry.
• Strong understanding of relevant laws, including the Companies Act, BFSA, Data Protection Act, and employment legislation.

Key Competencies

• Strong legal drafting and analytical skills.
• Excellent knowledge of corporate governance and compliance.
• High attention to detail and organisational abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity.
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• High ethical standards and professionalism.
• Mature, confident, and able to engage senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proactive, organised, and results-oriented.

Additional Information

As this is a relatively new function being established, the main initial responsibilities will involve setting up the department, developing policy frameworks, and understanding the business operations. Thereafter, the role will put together a competent team to carry out the various activities of the department, within the approved budgets of the company.

The role will demand a minimum of 30% of the time for travel across the branches.

The position is permanent and pensionable.

Agora Microfinance Zambia is an equal opportunity employer.

• Organise, coordinate, and attend Board and Board Committee meetings.
• Prepare and circulate notices, agendas, board packs, and minutes.
• Maintain statutory registers and ensure timely filing of all regulatory returns with PACRA, Bank of Zambia, and other regulators.
• Advise the Board on corporate governance principles and regulatory obligations.
• Ensure board resolutions are properly recorded, communicated, and implemented.
• Facilitate director induction, training, and board evaluations.
• Maintain secure governance records and manage official company documentation.
• Provide legal opinions and guidance on matters affecting AMZ operations.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and agreements.
• Ensure organisational compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage litigation, disputes, and engagement with external counsel.
• Monitor legal and regulatory updates and advise management accordingly.
• Develop and review policies, procedures, and compliance guidelines.
• Identify and assess legal and regulatory risks.
• Implement risk mitigation processes and controls.
• Maintain a legal risk register and report key risks to management and the Board.
• Liaise with regulators such as BOZ, PACRA, ZRA, NAPSA, and others.
• Guide departments on legal and compliance requirements.
• Act as custodian of company seals, legal documents, and governance records.

• Strong legal drafting and analytical skills
• Excellent knowledge of corporate governance and compliance
• High attention to detail and organisational abilities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle confidential information with integrity
• Problem-solving and decision-making ability
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• High ethical standards and professionalism
• Mature, confident, and able to engage senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills
• Proactive, organised, and results-oriented

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB)
• Advocate of the High Court of Zambia with a valid Practising Certificate
• Professional qualification in Corporate Governance (e.g., ICSA/CGI) is an added advantage
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in corporate legal practice, ideally in financial services or a regulated industry
• Strong understanding of relevant laws, including the Companies Act, BFSA, Data Protection Act, and employment legislation