Legal & Claims Officer at Bidvest International Logistics

Job Purpose    

• A exciting position of Legal and Claims Officers exists in our Road Freight and Warehouse Operations. The purpose of the position is to manage the claims process, authorise service provider contracts and assist with legal debt recovery . The successful candidate will be based at our Jacobs Offices and need at least two years corporate legal insurance experience preferably in the logistics or freight environment. Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply to be part of this dynamic team.

Qualifications & Experience    

• LLB degree 
• Shipping / marine law or insurance diploma / certificate
• At least two years corporate legal or insurance experience
• Previous work experience in a logistics or freight environment preferable

Key Responsibilities    

• Claims
• Assist with the overall administration of insurance claims, including negotiating settlements with underwriters                                                 
• Continuously follow up with insurers with regards to the queries and investigating the matters to determine liability.                                
• Work closely with the company’s underwriters, insurance brokers as well as loss adjusters as when required.                                 
• Address clients queries with reference to claims.                                
• Liaise with all role players where applicable, i.e. airlines and transporters                                                                
• Provide feedback to Operations regarding claim trends, and assist with root cause analysis to avoid repeated incidents                                

Service Providers

• Oversee the receipt and logging onto the register of all new and amendment service provider requests                                
• Assist in procurement process - on boarding of service providers                                
• Vet and authorise contracts in line with the authority levels matrix                                                              

Debtors

• Liaise with the credit and operational teams regarding details                                
• Deal with the attorneys, business rescue practitioners or liquidators to finalise any claims                                

Other

• Analyse legal and risk implications of various issues and advise internal stakeholders                                
• Responsible for drafting and vetting agreements and legal contracts, relating to clients, service providers and other business partners           
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for management meetings                                
• Provide legal advise and support to management and business                                
• End-to-end management of all agreements and contracts                                                                                                                              
• Maintain and communicate supplier and client contract end dates, as well as company subscriptions                                                              

Skills & Competencies    
Knowledge:

• Shipping law, including international conventions covering air and ocean freight                                
• Insurance, in particular cargo cover and marine                                
• Commercial contracts                                
• Knowledge in legal aspects relating to the NTRA - will be preferable                                
• Debt recovery                                

Skills:

• Communication, in particular negotiation of claims                                
• Vetting of contracts                                
• Strong organisational and time management skills                                
• Use of excel and reporting