| Job Title: | TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) Engagement of a Law Firm on Retainership |
| Company: | Self Help Africa |
| Location: | Abuja, Nigeria |
| Contract type: | Service Agreement |
| Period | March 2026 – February 2027 with possibility of extension based on Performance |
| Reports to: | SHA Nigeria HR & Administration Coordinator |
| Organisation overview: | About Self-Help Africa Self Help Africa (SHA) is an international development organisation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and dedicated to the vision of ‘Sustainable livelihoods and healthy lives for all in a changing climate’. We have over 50 years of experience working in Africa, including 25 years in Nigeria (formerly as United Purpose). In 2021, Self Help Africa merged with United Purpose (UP), doubling our size. The organisation now works in 17 programme countries. 15 of these are in sub-Saharan Africa while subsidiary organisations, ‘Self Help Brazil’ and ‘Self Help Bangladesh’, have been created for our programmes in the two countries where we are working outside of Africa. In early 2023, we launched a new five-year organisation strategy, which defines shared mission as the alleviation of hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches, so that people can have access to nutritious food, clean water, decent employment and incomes, while sustaining natural resources. Our wider organisation also includes social enterprise subsidiaries: Partner Africa, which provides ethical auditing and consultancy services, TruTrade, an innovative trading platform in East Africa, and CUMO, Malawi’s largest micro-finance provider. Our three core values are: ▪ Impact: We are accountable, ambitious and committed to systemic change. ▪ Innovation: We are agile, creative and enterprising in an ever-changing world. ▪ Community: We are inclusive, honest and have integrity in our relationships. To achieve our organisational mission, we work across numerous sectors, such as Agriculture, Climate & Environment, Enterprise, Energy, Nutrition, and WASH. |
| Introduction | In the course of its operations, Self Help Africa requires timely, reliable, and professional legal support to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, manage legal risks, and support organisational governance. To this end, Self Help Africa seeks to engage a qualified Law Firm on a retainership basis to provide ongoing legal advisory and support services. The Law Firm will provide continuous legal advisory services that support the organisation’s operations, governance, human resources, contracts, and regulatory compliance, while ensuring that legal risks are proactively identified and managed. |
| Scope of Work | The Law Firm shall provide the following services, including but not limited to: Legal Advisory & Compliance Provide general legal advice on Nigerian laws and regulations relevant to the organisation’s operations. Advise on regulatory compliance, statutory obligations, and governance matters. Support interpretation and application of labour and employment laws. Contract Review and Drafting Draft, review, and vet contracts, MoUs, consultancy agreements, service agreements, leases, and other legal documents. Advise on contract risks and recommend mitigation measures. Human Resources & Employment Matters Provide legal guidance on HR policies, disciplinary procedures, grievances, terminations, and dispute resolution. Support compliance with labour laws and best practices. Dispute Resolution & Litigation Support Provide legal opinions on disputes involving the organisation. Represent or support the organisation in negotiations, mediations, or court matters (where required). Liaise with external counsel when necessary. Governance & Risk Management Advise on corporate governance matters, board-related issues, and statutory filings. Support risk assessments related to legal exposure. Other Legal Support Provide ad-hoc legal opinions as may be required by management. Support due diligence and compliance reviews for projects, partners, and donors. |
| Deliverables | Law Firm is expected to provide the following: Written legal opinions and advisory notes as required. Reviewed and/or drafted legal documents within agreed timelines. Timely responses to legal queries from the organisation. Periodic summary of legal support provided (if requested). |
| Timeline | Engagement Period: March 2026 to February 2027, with the possibility of extension based on performance. |
| Key Relationships | The Law Firm will primarily engage with the Country Director, Head of Finance and Administration, and the Human Resources team to provide legal advisory support on governance, employment, and operational matters. Collaboration with the Finance and Procurement team will support contract review, compliance, and risk management, while the Procurement team will facilitate contract administration and payment processes. Senior Management will provide oversight and approvals on key legal matters. |
| Qualifications | Must be a duly registered law firm Demonstrated institutional experience Proven experience in employment law, contract law, and corporate/commercial practice Prior experience working with NGOs, international organisations, or development sector organisations is an added advantage |
| Reporting | The Law Firm will report administratively to the Country Director or a designated representative. All formal legal opinions, advisory notes, and key submissions shall be shared in writing. |
| Submission Requirements | Interested legal firms providers should submit the following: Company Profile of the law firm Including background, history, and a list of corporate clients served. Detailed technical proposal outlining approach and relevant experience. At least two corporate/professional references from similar engagements in Nigeria or similar contexts. Evidence of professional registration and valid practicing license. Financial proposal indicating retainership fees and scope coverage. |
| Evaluation Criteria | Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Registration with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other relevant legal regulatory bodies Proof of practicing licence in Nigeria Experience with similar organisations and quality references from past clients regarding the quality and reliability of legal services Understanding of the assignment and proposed approach Value for money and cost-effectiveness of the financial proposal Availability and responsiveness Completeness and clarity of the proposal in meeting all the requirements specified in this TOR. The law firm’s track record in providing similar services to organisations of a similar size. Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Financial proposal |
| Deadline Date | All proposals must be submitted on or before 5:00pm WAT 3rd March 2026. Full details of the TOR and related policies are available here. |
| How to Apply | Suitably qualified firms/consultants with the required knowledge, expertise and skills should apply by sending a proposal with the following requirements via email to [email protected] on or before 5:00pm WAT 3rd March 2026. |