Country Legal Counsel

• PositionCountry Legal Counsel
• CompanyStandard Chartered Bank Uganda
• LocationKampala, Uganda
• Job TypeFull-Time (Permanent)
• CategoryBanking Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryBanking
• DepartmentLegal
• GradeBand 6
• Requisition63988
• DeadlineWednesday, 4 November 2026

Standard Chartered is an international bank with more than 170 years of history, operating across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Standard Chartered Bank Uganda serves corporate, commercial, institutional and personal banking clients from its Kampala base.

The bank describes its purpose as driving commerce and prosperity through its unique diversity, and its brand promise as being “here for good”. It asks staff to live three valued behaviours: do the right thing, never settle, and be better together. Its Fair Pay Charter commits it to competitive pay and benefits.

The Country Legal Counsel is an individual contributor who gives Standard Chartered Bank Uganda practical, timely advice on legal and regulatory matters. You will monitor changes in legislation, regulation and case law, help business and functional teams apply legal requirements, maintain policies and standard documentation, and deliver legal risk training and bulletins.

On the transactional side, you will draft, review, negotiate and advise on banking and finance transactions, including cross-border deals, commercial agreements and documents with customers, counterparties and third parties. You will make sure contracts give the bank proper protection, remedies and enforceability under Ugandan law, and review products and standard-form documents. The role works with senior management, Board members, regulators, regional colleagues and external lawyers, so sound judgement and ownership of matters matter as much as technical skill.

• Provide practical advice on legal and regulatory risks affecting the Bank’s operations in Uganda.
• Monitor changes in legislation, regulation, case law and legal precedent, escalating material implications where appropriate.
• Support business and functional teams in interpreting and applying relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain policies, processes and standard documentation that support effective management of legal risk.
• Deliver legal risk trainings and prepare relevant legal updates and bulletins.
• Draft, review, negotiate and advise on banking and finance transactions, including cross-border transactions, commercial agreements and other legal documentation with customers, counterparties and third parties.
• Ensure contractual arrangements provide appropriate legal protections, remedies and enforceability under Ugandan law.
• Support the development and review of products, Product Programmes and standard-form documentation from a legal perspective.

Required Education

• Bachelor of Laws degree.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre, or an equivalent recognised qualification.
• Qualified lawyer with eligibility to practise in Uganda.

Work Experience

• At least five years of relevant post-qualification legal experience.
• Demonstrable experience in banking and finance, corporate and commercial transactions, and/or financial services regulation.
• Experience in legal advisory, contract drafting and negotiation, regulatory risk and dispute resolution.
• Experience in a financial institution or law firm with demonstrable banking and finance work.
• Experience engaging senior management, regulators and diverse business stakeholders.
• Corporate governance or company secretarial experience is an added advantage.

Additional Requirements

• Strong written and spoken English.

Technical Skills

• Legal advisory and regulatory risk: Advising on Ugandan banking law and regulation.
• Contract drafting and negotiation: Commercial and finance documents.
• Corporate governance: Company secretarial support.
• Legal analysis: Sound judgement on complex matters.

Soft Skills

• Stakeholder influence: Working with Board, regulators and business teams.
• Ownership: Taking matters through to completion.
• Organisation: Managing competing deadlines.
• Collaboration: Solutions-oriented teamwork.

Standard Chartered lists a competitive salary; core bank funding for retirement savings, medical and life insurance; time off including annual leave, 20 weeks parental/maternity leave, up to 12 months sabbatical and 3 days volunteering leave (30 days minimum combined leave and holidays); flexible working; wellbeing support through Unmind and an Employee Assistance Programme; and continuous learning opportunities.

• Senior legal role at an international bank in Kampala.
• Broad mix of advisory, transactional and governance work.
• Exposure to the Board, regulators and regional legal teams.
• Cross-border banking and finance transactions.
• Strong benefits, including 20 weeks parental leave.
• Flexible working options.
• Permanent, Band 6 position.

Apply through the official Standard Chartered careers portal (requisition 63988).

The posting closes on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

• State your LDC qualification and practising status clearly.
• Show banking and finance transactions you have handled.
• Mention regulatory work with Bank of Uganda rules or similar.
• Include any company secretarial or governance experience.
• Give an example of a legal risk you helped the business manage.
• Apply before 4 November.