Head of Legal, Compliance & Company Secretary
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is hiring for the position of Head of Legal, Compliance & Company Secretary, based in Blantyre. It is a full-time position. Applications close on Friday, 6 November 2026. Applications go directly to the employer; see how to apply below.
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Location: Limbe
Organisational unit: Finance
Reports to: Finance Director
Employment type: Permanent
Closing date: 6 November 2026
About Illovo Sugar Malawi
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is the country’s leading producer of raw, refined and speciality sugars, employing more than 9,000 employees. The company is part of Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).
Duties and responsibilities
- Lead and develop a high-performing legal team.
- Protect the company’s legal, regulatory and corporate governance position.
- Act as Company Secretary and discharge all related duties.
- Advise the Board, Board Chair and committee chairs on fiduciary duties, statutory obligations, governance requirements and effective decision-making processes.
- Act as principal legal adviser and provide independent, timely and commercially informed legal advice to the Board, Managing Director, Executive Committee and accountable functions.
- Maintain functional accountability to the Divisional Legal Team to uphold professional and governance standards.
- Establish and maintain the enterprise legal risk and regulatory obligation framework, including clear obligation owners, monitoring, evidence and escalation.
- Provide legal interpretation and governance support across the business.
- Participate in country strategic, investment, operational and change decisions to shape lawful and resilient outcomes.
- Determine litigation and dispute strategy within delegated authority and recommend material settlements to the appropriate approval authority.
- Ensure appropriate contract review, balancing legal protections with agreed commercial and operational outcomes.
- Promote and adhere to Illovo’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to SHERQ, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).
Qualifications and experience
- Bachelor of Laws degree from a recognised institution.
- Admitted legal practitioner with a valid licence to practise in Malawi.
- A chartered governance, company secretarial or equivalent professional qualification is advantageous.
- A minimum of 10 years’ progressive legal experience, including at least five years in a senior legal leadership, General Counsel or Company Secretary role.
- Demonstrated commercial and financial acumen, with knowledge of relevant legislation, case law, litigation and arbitration procedures, corporate governance and company secretarial practice.
- Strong legal drafting, analysis, judgement, dispute management, relationship-building, executive influence and negotiation capabilities.
- Ability to lead and develop a diverse professional team and operate effectively across country and functional accountabilities.
How to apply
Send your application letter together with a detailed CV, copies of relevant certificates, traceable referees and National ID to:
The Human Resource Director
Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc
Private Bag 580
Limbe
Or email your application to: [email protected]
Closing date: 6 November 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.
Illovo is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.
Applications go directly to the employer, not to Malawi24.
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