In January 2012, Diageo purchased the Meta Abo Brewery, formerly a state-owned business based in Sebeta, with a rich history in Ethiopia and a historic market share of 50%. Diageo’s spirits brands have been enjoyed in Ethiopia since 1955, with Johnnie Walker and White Horse being the preferred whiskies of choice for most Ethiopians. With a broad portfolio of international spirits brands, such as Smirnoff Vodka, Baileys and Captain Morgan, the addition of Meta ensures Diageo’s position as the leading total beverage alcohol business in Ethiopia. Since acquiring the Meta Abo Brewery, the team in Ethiopia has worked hard to define the positioning of the brand, invest in marketing activities and build new commercial teams. With this increased investment behind capacity expansion and recruitment of a highly skilled sales force, Meta Classic, Meta Premium and Malta Guinness are enjoying their highest ever rates of sale. Diageo continues to invest in the communities in which it operates. In Ethiopia:
21 Water of Life projects have become operational over the past 7 years and an additional project started in the southwest region of Ethiopia in 2013. We work in partnership with NGOs and the government to ensure over 45,000 Ethiopians have access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation;
We work closely with small holder farmers of Ethiopia to source barley locally, thereby reducing imports and improving the livelihoods of small holder farmers in partnership with regional agriculture bureaus and the Agriculture Transformation Agency; and
We promote responsible drinking with our world-recognized DrinkIQ programme and ensure that consumers enjoy Diageo brands in a way that reflects both our values and purpose – Celebrate Life Everyday Everywhere
Key Accountabilities:
Enable META and Diageo’s other business interest in Ethiopia to achieve their business objectives in a legally compliant way while unlocking commercial opportunity through good practice.
Support the Head of Legal, META in developing and cascading best practice corporate governance.
Function as a highly effective legal and business partner and stay particularly close to the Head of Legal.
Make significant contributions in ensuring that all the department’s internal and external stakeholders receive excellent service delivery thereby ensuring that the legal department effectively partners all the functions in META.
Ensure proper contracts are in place in and that the contract management system is maintained and is current.
Ensure effective support is given to the business on all legal/commercial related issues.
Job Requirement
LLM (Master Degree in Law) and 3 years post qualification experience as a lawyer or LLB (B.A Degree in Law) and 5 years post qualification experience as a lawyer
Qualified to work as a legal practitioner in Ethiopia, and/or a civil law country
Strong commercial law background especially in the negotiation and documentation of commercial contracts
Strong, analytical, drafting and negotiating skills.
Open and outward looking attitude.
Strong inter-personal/communication skills.
Ability to work confidently and stand ground with more senior managers.