Legal Officer - Loan Recovery

About the role

Retrust Microfinance Bank is hiring a Legal Officer in Lagos (Marina) to provide legal support for its loan recovery activities, especially on delinquent and non-performing loan accounts. The role works closely with the Credit and Recovery teams and advises management on legal risks related to lending and debt enforcement.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and issue demand letters, letters of notice, repayment reminders and other legal correspondence to defaulting borrowers and guarantors.
• Review loan agreements, guarantee documents, collateral documents and other credit instruments to ensure proper documentation and enforceability.
• Support recovery through negotiation, mediation, settlement agreements and other lawful mechanisms.
• Liaise with external solicitors, law enforcement agencies, courts and other institutions on recovery and litigation matters.
• Conduct legal searches and due diligence on collateral, guarantors and security instruments, and support repossession and enforcement of collateral.
• Maintain records of recovery actions, legal proceedings and court processes.
• Advise management on legal risks and ensure compliance with laws, regulations and the Bank's policies.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B) and a qualifying certificate from the Nigerian Law School; must be called to the Nigerian Bar with valid practising status.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of relevant legal experience, preferably in a microfinance bank, commercial bank, financial institution or debt recovery organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in microfinance loan recovery, debt collection and delinquent accounts.
• Good understanding of banking operations, lending procedures and financial sector regulations.

Required skills

• Strong negotiation, persuasion and debt recovery skills.
• Excellent legal research, drafting and analytical abilities.
• Experience preparing demand notices, legal opinions, loan agreements and other credit documents.
• Ability to manage difficult borrowers and guarantors professionally, and to work independently with the Credit, Risk Management and Operations teams.