Head of Legal

About the Company

LIONPRO is a second-generation, family-owned trading company with over 30 years of experience connecting high-quality animal feed, pet food, and aquaculture ingredients with customers around the world.

Operating across 4 continents and 50+ countries, LIONPRO combines deep industry expertise with a strong international logistics network, local stock infrastructure, and end-to-end support across sourcing, import/export, customs clearance, documentation, and delivery.

Quality and reliability sit at the heart of the business. LIONPRO maintains rigorous feed safety and traceability standards, working with leading European producers and complying with internationally recognised standards including GMP+, HACCP, ISO, and European Hygiene Regulations.

Beyond trading, LIONPRO is committed to sharing knowledge and supporting more sustainable agriculture. The company provides customers with practical guidance on animal nutrition, organises farmer education initiatives, and collaborates with European universities and veterinary experts to promote evidence-based practices.

With a growing presence across Africa and a strong focus on long-term partnerships, LIONPRO is continuing to expand its operations while contributing to a more sustainable food system — including through initiatives that reduce food waste, deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprint.

In 2025, LIONPRO generated approximately USD 70 million in turnover and continues to build its international business from its roots in Europe.

About the Role

LIONPRO is seeking a Head of Legal, East Africa, to work as a senior legal partner across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, working closely with regional leadership to provide practical, commercially minded legal advice as the business grows.

You’ll oversee the region’s legal matters, including commercial contracts, regulatory and licensing matters, governance and company secretarial work, litigation, debt collection and employment-related legal support. You’ll also lead and develop the regional legal team, manage external counsel and legal spend, and help the business anticipate and manage legal risk.

This is a hands-on, business-facing leadership role for a qualified lawyer who can move comfortably between strategic advice and practical execution, and who can give senior commercial leaders a clear recommendation when the answer isn’t straightforward.

What You Will Do

• Be a legal business partner for management and other internal functions; advise the business and assess the legal impact of business decisions
• Oversee all legal matters in East Africa, developing, supporting, and monitoring the legal counsel with a strong focus on engagement and performance
• Provide regulatory advice: engagement with Regulatory Authorities, respond to letters from regulatory authorities, coordinate provision of regulatory licenses, advise the business on the best way forward for regulatory challenges
• Contract review and negotiation of vendor contracts
• Company Secretarial work: ensuring company details are up to date, coordinating changes in company details, corporate structure management
• Board support: advising on governance best practice and compliance matters.
• Oversee and handle litigation; managing external counsel, making strategic decisions, and giving advice on litigation matters
• Debt Collection: supervising debt collection efforts, onboarding and supervising external lawyers on collection matters, and providing regular reports to the business
• HR support: provide legal support on employee-related litigation matters; assist in creating, reviewing, and updating company policies.
• Identify key training areas and develop training content and standard operating procedures; conduct training on legal matters
• Be accountable for identifying potential legal risks, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring/negotiating favorable terms for the company in the East Africa markets.
• Ensure the organization adheres to relevant regulations and compliance requirements. This involves staying updated on changes in laws and regulations and implementing necessary measures to maintain compliance.
• Manage legal expenses in the East Africa HUB. This includes budgeting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring cost-effective legal support.
• Ensure high-quality legal support within the team. This involves managing team performance, fostering engagement, and promoting a collaborative work environment.

What You Have

• Strong skills in reviewing and negotiating contracts. This includes the ability to analyze contract terms, identify potential risks, and negotiate favorable terms for the organization.
• Adept at managing relationships with various stakeholders, including clients, partners, and internal teams. This involves effective communication, understanding stakeholder needs, and ensuring their expectations are met.
• Ability to convey information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. This includes the ability to present ideas, negotiate, and resolve conflicts.
• A thorough understanding of relevant regulations and compliance requirements. This includes staying updated on changes in laws and regulations and ensuring the organization adheres to them.
• Knowledge of the local environment, including cultural, economic, and legal aspects. This helps in making informed decisions and adapting strategies to local conditions.
• Skilled in handling crises and unexpected situations. This includes the ability to develop and implement crisis management plans, communicate effectively during crises, and mitigate risks.
• Able to plan, execute, and oversee projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. This includes coordinating resources, managing timelines, and addressing any issues that arise.
• Strong administrative skills, including organizing and managing information, scheduling, and coordinating activities. This ensures efficient and effective operations within the organization.
• Ability to demonstrate the highest level of ethical standards and integrity in all legal matters. This includes adhering to professional codes of conduct and maintaining honesty and transparency in all interactions.
• Attention to Detail: You should exhibit meticulous attention to detail in legal documentation and analysis. This involves thoroughly reviewing documents, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring accuracy in all legal work
• Proactive initiative in identifying legal risks and providing solutions. This includes anticipating potential issues, developing strategies to mitigate risks, and proactively addressing challenges.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. This involves fostering teamwork, communicating effectively, and building strong relationships to achieve common goals.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic and fast-paced legal environment. This includes adjusting to changing circumstances, embracing new challenges, and remaining resilient under pressure.