Legal Counsel and Fund Secretary at Kwacha Pension Trust Fund

Job Description

Kwacha Pension Trust Fund (KPTF) is a single employer pension Fund regulated by the Pensions and Insurance Authority. The Fund invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Legal Counsel and Fund Secretary.

The Legal Counsel and Fund Secretary will be responsible for overseeing KPTF’s legal and regulatory compliance functions while supporting the governance framework of the Board of Trustees. This role ensures that the Fund operates within the legal, regulatory, and ethical boundaries applicable to KPTF.

The incumbent will serve as the legal advisor to Management and the Board, will lead the development and enforcement of compliance policies, and will ensure that Board activities are conducted in accordance with best practices in corporate governance.

2.0 Key Responsibilities

Details

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Compliance Planning

Developing departmental strategies and annual workplans.
Develop a compliance programme to ensure compliance to relevant laws and regulations, including the Pension Scheme Regulation Act, Data Protection Act, etc.
Formulate and assess policies to align with legal requirements and support strategic objectives for KPTF.
Develop and implement the Fund’s Legal and Compliance policies, procedures, and training programmes.
Monitor regulatory developments and ensure the Fund is responsive to changes.
Conduct periodic compliance audits and report findings to senior management and the Board.
Participate in the development of the Fund’s Strategic Plan.

Legal Advisory

Providing sound legal advice and counsel to KPTF’s Board and Management to minimize legal risk to the organisation.
Providing the Board and Management with legal opinions on any matter of policy in the organisation to ensure legal tenability of such policies.
Influencing amendments to relevant legislation to allow for the implementation of those policies.
Interpreting key statutes and other pieces of key legislation which have a bearing on carrying out the KPTF’s mandate within the confines of the law.
Managing legal disputes, collaborating with external counsel, controlling litigation budgets, and strategising for dispute resolution and defence.
Provide legal counsel to the Fund on all contractual, regulatory, and operational matters.
Draft, review, and negotiate legal agreements to protect the Fund’s interests.
Proactively identify legal risks and develop mitigation strategies.
Represent or coordinate representation of KPTF in legal proceedings when necessary.

Resource Management and Budget

Developing the departmental annual work plan and budget for consolidation in the KPTF budget.
Contributing to KPTF’s cost effectiveness by ensuring that legal programmes and activities are always within the approved budget.

Stakeholder Management

Drafting and reviewing Service Level Agreements and various contracts that the Fund signs with external parties such as Lawyers, Contractors, Actuaries and other service providers.
Act as a liaison between the Board of Trustees and external stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, auditors, etc
Coordinate communication between Trustees and ensure all members are fully informed of relevant developments.
Act as the primary liaison between the Board and Management on governance and compliance matters.
Support internal and external audits related to legal and compliance issues.

Board Secretarial Services

Drafting and reviewing governance documents, such as charters, policies, and procedures.
Monitoring corporate governance developments and regulatory changes, recommending adjustments to governance structures as needed.
Facilitating board meetings, ensuring compliance with governance protocols and regulations.
Serve as the Secretary to the Board and its Committees, ensuring timely distribution of meeting materials and accurate recording of minutes and resolutions.
Advise the Board on corporate governance standards, statutory obligations, and fiduciary duties.
Ensure the proper maintenance of statutory and governance records, including Board charters, conflict of interest registers, and policy logs.
Facilitate Board evaluation processes and the implementation of governance improvement plans.

Reporting and Business Analytics

Prepare and Distribute Board and Committee Calendar of meetings
Prepare and distribute quarterly, annual, and other reports to the Board as required.
Support the Board in planning its activities and setting the agenda for meetings, ensuring alignment with the Fund’s objectives and strategic priorities.

3.0 Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

Considerable competence at management level is required to understand and apply advanced legal framework policies, principles, procedures and practices pivotal for navigating intricate legal and compliance terrains, providing strategic guidance, and safeguarding organizational interests effectively.

a) General Education:

Grade 12 certificate with 5 ‘O’ levels; with credit or better in Mathematics and English Language.

b) Professional/Academic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Chartered Governance Institute of UK and Ireland (CGUKI) qualification, or a related field.
Additional qualifications in governance, compliance, pension fund management or risk management are an added advantage.
Admission to the Bar and Professional membership to Law Association of Zambia– is a must.

c) Relevant Job Experience:

Minimum of 5–10 years’ experience in legal, compliance, or governance roles, ideally within the pensions, insurance, or financial services sector
Experience in providing support to a Board, senior executives, or a similar governing body is highly desirable.

4.0 Additional / Other Skills

a) Communication Skills:

Contacts are maintained at a high level inside and outside KPTF, which involves exercising a high degree of communication, both orally and in writing, negotiating, and persuading skills and jointly solving problems. The impact on KPTF’s performance and reputation can be significant both in the short and long term

b) Analytical skills:

Analytical skills are required to analyze technical information and evaluation of various options when handling operational matters, preparing annual legal departmental strategies and budgets and providing information required for effective management of operations and guiding Executive management.

c) Numerical/Computation Skills:

Good understanding and analysis of mathematical and statistical information is required to effectively prepare reports and other documents for decision making.

d) Problem Solving Skills:

Demonstrable problem-solving abilities and competences are required for effective handling of diverse matters to do with the overall management of KPTF.

e) Decision Making Skills

High proficiency in decision-making skills is required to ensure decisions are in line with key defined parameters including Fund policies and procedures as well as regulations and laws.

Only candidates that meet the above criteria need apply. Suitable candidates, while clearly indicating the position being applied for should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, copy of Grade 12 certificate, copies of professional qualifications and copy of NRC, to [email protected] by Wednesday 17th September 2025, and addressed to:

The Director
Kwacha Pension Trust Fund
Plot 5534
Corner of Kakola and Libala Road
LUSAKA

Only electronic applications will be considered.