Legal Manager

Responsible for all Legal related matters of and provide Compliance support to Syngenta Pakistan, such responsibilities to include but not limited to the following:-

1. Initial contact point for Syngenta Pakistan’s Business and Functional teams for all Legal and Compliance matters.
2. Provide preliminary guidance on contract risk – assess whether the contract needs to be referred to Legal Counsel and respond on basic questions regarding contract form, counterparties, templates to be used and company policy requirements
3. Manage selection of and engagement with external counsels in accordance with global Syngenta Policies
4. Provide initial assessment of any intellectual property questions and follow up as needed to support any subsequent work by IP Counsel
5. Collaborate with the Security Function on counterfeit and other product security issues to ensure rapid action against strategically significant infringements of Syngenta’s intellectual property
6. Labor law:  Support the Human Resources function on employee disputes and disciplinary action as well as supporting negotiations with the labor union and related issues
7. Review marketing materials and communications for compliance with company policies and basic legal risks
8. Support legal and policy questions regarding distribution and customer relationships and contracts – maintain contract templates for key business relationships consistent with global guidance
9. Train Syngenta Pakistan team on company policy requirements where those policies are owned by Legal/Compliance.  Manage any questions from the Business and Functional teams regarding those policies
10. Corporate governance:  Maintain company registers and board minutes and follow company internal procedures for changes of officers and directors.  Prepare annual meeting minutes and shareholder minutes. Work with external counsel for filing and registration requirements
11. Manage and monitor litigation cases, manage day-to-day litigation requirements and external counsel. Develop a pro-active strategy to minimize litigation costs and risks.
12. Provide input on Legal and Compliance risks associated with Syngenta Pakistan Business to the Country Leadership Team (CLT) and the global Legal Function
13. Support internal and external audit requirements around Compliance and Legal matters
14. Track the legal environment to alert stakeholders to key changes in laws on matters such as employment, safety and environment, anti-corruption, anti-competition and agribusiness
15. Provide initial assessment of emerging third party disputes and provide guidance to the Business on managing the legal risks
16. Communicate to the Pakistan CLT and general employee population new Legal and Compliance policies and changes to existing policies
17. Support internal investigations as requested by the Regional Compliance Officer from time to time
18. Support periodic global reporting requirements on litigation and other topics as required; and
19. Participate in regional and global Legal Department activities consistent with other members of the APAC Legal Department

• At least a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) from a reputable university, either in Pakistan or other Commonwealth countries
• Fluent in spoken Pakistani and English
• Ability to condense complex legal concepts to simple explanations. Strong legal drafting skills in English;
• Experience with data protection and privacy, corporate governance and Compliance an advantage
• Agriculture/agribusiness industry experience an advantage but not a pre-requisite
• At least 8 years post qualification experience (PQE) as a lawyer in a reputable Pakistan law firm and as in-house counsel in an international MNC, either in or outside Pakistan

Broad understanding of the agricultural crop protection and seeds industry.  General experience in identifying and assessing legal and compliance situations and skills in responding to those situations.  Training and communications experience across a range of stakeholders.  Experience in multinational company policies and procedures as well as ways of working.  Experience in data privacy compliance in a multinational company, including team skills.

Syngenta is a global company with headquarters in Switzerland. 30,000 employees, in more than 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown and protected.

We accelerate our innovation and invest to advance a more sustainable agriculture which is good for nature, farmers and society.

Our work helps farmers to face the challenges of today’s changing world. Farmers must adapt to the effects of climate change, improve the soil and enhance biodiversity, and respond to society’s views on food and agricultural technology. And we are transparent about what we’re doing and the impact it is making