RITHA MOHELE

• Streamlined the contract review process for increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time.
• Participated in contracting process for special projects which need highly skilled personnel.
• Reduced company liability risk with thorough evaluation of potential legal issues and implementation of preventive measures.
• Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on company's legal matters and strategy.
• Delivered comprehensive legal analysis, enabling informed business decisions based on sound understanding of applicable law.
• Developed policies and procedures for maintaining regulatory compliance across all business units.
• Drafted clear and concise legal documents including Contracts (Service Levels Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Master Service Agreements, Consultancy Service Agreements, Software Licensing Agreements etc), Memorandum of understanding, Letter of Intent, Side Letter Agreement, Gas Sales Agreements, Amendments, Heads of Terms among others which contributed to successful business transactions.
• Identified potential legal risks through proactive research and conducting due diligence process on mid-major suppliers and customers allowing timely corrective actions.
• Facilitated dispute resolution between parties involved in various types of conflicts leading to mutually agreed upon settlements.
• Collaborated closely with external counsel resulting in better coordination and improved case outcomes.
• Ensured compliance with industry-specific regulations by staying up-to-date on changes in legislation and providing necessary guidance to the organization.
• Support the Company in Company secretarial issues including filing statutory returns at BRELA, obtaining business and regulatory licenses as applicable.
• Gathered evidence to formulate defense or initiate legal actions.
• Managed a number of Contracts amounting up to $20,000.
• Communicated, negotiated, built and maintained relationships with external partners (stakeholders, regulators, counsel, public authorities, suppliers, customers etc.) ensuring smooth relations and trust.

• Effectively ensured implementation of the company's Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policy and procedure.
• Rendered timely and accurate strategic legal advice to the Company on day-to-day legal issues affecting Company's operations, projects, and initiatives.
• Monitored and ensured compliance with laws, regulations, and industry standards applicable to the Company's operations.
• Drafted, reviewed and negotiated more than 100 complex contracts, 50 term sheets, agreements, addendums, 50 extensions and amendments, Memorandum of Understanding, LOI & LOA and issued in accordance with established guidelines and Company Policies and Procedures.
• With the guidance of Senior Management, identified legal risks and opportunities and developed proactive strategies to mitigate potential legal issues while fostering a culture of compliance.
• Liaised closely with Finance department and management on commercial application of Contracts and administered all contracts in agreed company format with appropriate commercial terms and adherence to broader finance and risk requirements such as revenue recognition, pricing and discounting policies, tax etc.
• Ensured that signed contracts are communicated to all relevant parties to provide contract visibility, awareness and interpretation to support proper implementation.
• Served as a point of contact for customers on contractual matters by acting as contractual “middleman” between company employees and customers, ensuring timely review and approval / reconciliation of variations.
• Developed and implemented procedures for contract management and administration in compliance with company policy.
• Established & maintained contracts register to ensure that all contracts are efficiently recorded and filed in conjunction with the Contracts Management Policy.
• Responsible for communicating, negotiating, building and maintaining relationships with external partners (stakeholders, regulators, counsel, public authorities, suppliers, customers etc.) in creating relations of trust.
• Contributed to the development and implementation of the Company's legal policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure legal compliance and best practices.
• Managed company legal secretarial issues including filing annual returns, audited financial accounts and other returns with the Company registry (BRELA) in the Online Registration System (ORS) timely.
• Participated in Procurement processes by determining the appropriate procurement method for each type of procurement need in question.
• Assisted in preparing the Invitation to approximately 10-20 Tender Packs annually, RFPs and RFQs and ensured the same are issued to the Approved Vendors or advertised as per Company's Procurement Policy.
• Conducted training on the Procurement Policies and their applicability to the Company's procurement needs from time-to-time.
• Prepared and convened Tender Review Panel meetings and records minutes there at.
• Manage tender issuance, bid evaluations, recommendations for award and eventually award of contracts to qualified bidders.
• Managed disputes, litigation, and arbitration involving the Company in collaboration with external legal counsel.
• Coordinated legal issues that require intervention of identified external legal counsel.

April 2009-April 2020-Contracts Administrator cum Document Controller

Responsibilities

Drafted and negotiated contracts that are legally binding.

• Streamlined contract processes by implementing efficient documentation and tracking systems.
• Negotiated favorable contract terms for cost savings and improved service levels.
• Reduced legal risks with comprehensive contract reviews and risk assessments.
• Managed a portfolio of contracts, ensuring compliance and timely renewals.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop tailored contract solutions for specific projects.
• Enhanced vendor relationships through clear communication and effective issue resolution.
• Evaluated vendor performance against contractual obligations, recommending improvements as necessary.
• Developed and maintained a centralized contracts database for easy access and increased efficiency.
• Assisted in the preparation of proposals and bids, contributing to successful awarding of new contracts.
• Conducted market research to identify potential vendors, diversifying supplier options and reducing costs.
• Trained junior staff members on best practices in contract administration, promoting a knowledgeable workforce.
• Coordinated with legal counsel to resolve disputes or clarify contractual language, minimizing liabilities.
• Implemented standardized templates for consistent contracting practices across the organization.
• Facilitated regular meetings with stakeholders to review project progress and address any contractual concerns.
• Participated in audits related to contractual compliance, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and regulations, applying insights to enhance contracting processes within the organization.
• Led efforts in renegotiating existing contracts for better terms without compromising quality or delivery timelines.
• Contributed to company growth by actively participating in business development initiatives involving strategic partnerships.
• Implemented improvements to contract generation process to increase efficiency.
• Initiated contracts and addressed necessary negotiations and adjustments.
• Administered 100 new contracts ranging in value from $ 5,000 to $ 3,000,000.
• Monitored incoming contracts and service agreements for correct pricing and information.
• Drafted, reviewed and revised contracts for accuracy and completeness.
• Facilitated communication between involved parties to enable timely contract sign-off.
• Stored and filed contract documents in orderly, organized systems.
• Attended Court Cases with External Legal Counsel and update the Management on the same.

Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed in:-

• Forming Companies including incorporation and registration of approximately 10-20 companies, Trusts, NGOs and Partnerships.
• Securing clientele respective regulatory licenses and business licenses E.g
• Obtaining regulatory licenses for Clientele such as TCRA for Telecommunication License, Bank of Tanzania for Banks and Microfinance Companies operating licenses, Ministry of Energy and Minerals for Mining Licenses and Contractors Licenses under CRB, EWURA Licenses and Construction of Approvals etc
• Registering entities with the Tanzania Revenue Authority for Tax Identification Number and Value Added Tax Number (VAT),
• Providing routine and non-routine company secretarial services to client companies including preparing and filing statutory annual returns and other returns, preparing and filing various resolutions with the Registrar of companies, keeping and updating minute books, register of Members, Directors and Secretaries, Seal Registers, convening and prepare Board of Directors and Annual General Meetings Packs, attending Annual General meetings and Board of Directors meetings for client companies and record minutes thereat, prepare and filing all documentations for liquidation of companies, preparing share transfers and share certificates and notifying the Registrar of companies of the same
• Rendering advice on legal issues e.g., Labour, Company Secretarial and Tax issues.

• Provided legal opinions,
• Drafted official legal documents including conveyancing documents, agreements & letters,
• Filled and filed statutory company returns including annual returns, directors and secretary returns,
• Incorporated Companies at BRELA and conducting official company search and name reservations.
• Interviewed clients and took their statements,
• Attended court proceedings filing and perusal of the case files,
• Followed up matters with ministries, courts, registrar of companies and other relevant authorities and
• Conducted legal research.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

• Prepared case rulings and case judgments.
• Attended civil and criminal case sessions including case mentions, hearings and judgments.