Legal Counsel Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt, Vietnam

The role :

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The Legal Counsel is primarily accountable for partnering with the assigned Business Unit and functions to provide strategic and operational legal advice and support.

The Legal Counsel also provides support in the design and execution of the Compliance Program, Business Integrity Policy, conducts investigative activities as required, handles dispute resolution and litigation, serves as an interface with the relevant authorities concerning legal affairs, and implements the global legal program of Unilever in Vietnam under the guidance of the Vietnam General Counsel and the relevant regional Business Unit General Counsel.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel on various areas related to production, investment, sales, marketing, customer service, import, export, labor, litigation, and government inspections for Home Care business, Customer Development, Manufacturing, and in-charge of business integrity programs for all employees in the Company.
• Manage all legal issues relating to competition law, data protection, anti-bribery, and compliance standards.
• Participate in the Local Claim Forum (LCF) to identify risks and issues, strengthen new product initiatives, and collaborate closely with R&D, Regulatory Affairs, and Marketing teams to monitor the market for potential challenges related to competitors, labeling, and products.
• Monitor and advise on ongoing promotional implementations in the market to help the team avoid risks and challenges.
• Work closely with stakeholders to manage ongoing collaborative agreements and relationships with major processors for homecare detergents, tablets, liquids, and other products.
• Oversee litigation processes and evaluate the performance of external law firms; establish and maintain strong relationships with these firms for necessary legal advice.
• Administer all company contracts, including their review and approval. Provide guidance to business units during negotiations that require support from the legal department.
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with local authorities in matters pertaining to Unilever’s interests, in accordance with the legal department’s functions.
• Support the Legal Director in developing and implementing the Business Integrity Compliance Program to enhance awareness and adherence among all personnel.
• Establish and enforce processes and procedures to prevent non-compliance, localized to fit the actual context.
• Develop annual, quarterly, and monthly compliance review / audit plans in line with the company's and Unilever's global strategy.
• Handle reported cases and / or assign investigation teams within designated timeframes, under the direction of the Legal Director or Business Integrity Committee.
• Monitor and manage investigations to ensure reliable and clear outcomes. Prepare post-investigation reports for the Business Integrity Committee, collaborate with relevant departments to follow up on corrective actions.
• Extend compliance measurement to third parties and business partners. Collaborate with all departments to ensure suppliers, customers, and distributors are trained, sign compliance confirmations, and collect all signed documents.
• Ensure meticulous documentation of all training sessions and compliance activities. Maintain records of business partners, internal approval processes for gifts, meals, business entertainment, travel sponsorships, and charitable donations.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to develop and update the Compliance Checklist, plan detailed audits based on the checklist, and ensure corrective / preventive actions are implemented as planned.
• Other tasks assigned by direct line manager.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Commercial law / Corporate law; having a lawyer's certificate is an advantage.
• At least 7-9 years of experience in legal & compliance management, experience in litigation and investigation, and in dealing with government authorities.
• Good communication and teamwork skills; excellent stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of Vietnamese Law, especially Competition and Anti-Bribery Law, Data Protection Law, and Advertising Law.
• Experience working in the fast-moving consumer goods industry is an advantage.
• Ability to work independently under high pressure and tight deadlines. Good proficiency in both spoken and written Vietnamese and English.

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