Job Description

Main job functionSeeking a qualified lawyer to join its legal team, based in Johannesburg, to support legal activities in the Sub-Saharan African region.What you will do:

• Be involved in providing advice and supporting all legal activities in the life cycle of the projects undertaken by the organisation, which includes, development, construction and operation of renewable energy projects in Sub Saharan Africa. Various legal activities will be carried out in order to fulfil this role, for example: due diligence, tender interpretation and support, negotiation of term sheets, development agreements and corporate, finance and construction agreements. The candidate should be familiar with the typical legal issues, concepts and processes in relation to these activities, and also be knowledgeable or comfortable with matters that may arise in the operational phase of projects, such as dispute resolution and litigation. The candidate should also be confident to carry out activities, discussions and negotiations with relevant counterparties with a fair degree of independence.
• The candidate will provide legal advice and support, including drafting and/or negotiation of various agreements during the development, financial close and post-close phase of projects (in some cases with external legal support depending on the nature and complexity of the matter, and in other cases to be managed in-house). This includes during development: NDAs, term sheets, due diligence review, exclusivity agreements, development agreements, land agreements, permit and consent review, support with tender and binding documents review and support with bidding processes and requirements. The financial close phase is a material phase including high volumes of contracts, multiple counterparties (for e.g. lenders, equity partners, contractors, buyers (public or private) and Government/Regulatory stakeholders) and complex negotiations. The candidate should have the confidence to lead and support the negotiation of various agreements, including shareholder agreements and other related equity agreements included in the sponsor support package, finance agreements including the various security arrangements, construction and operation contracts. Post financial close: the candidate should provide post-closing support to the projects and business units, supporting them to interpret and implement the terms of the contracts.
• To support the day-to day legal needs of all the functional units of the organisation. The organisation has a number of functional units operating in different areas of law, and in addition top transactional activities, the candidate will also be assigned to support specific business units. The candidate should thus have a sound understanding of company law and business/commercial matters.
• To support the corporate affairs division, by supporting with all processes relating to the preparation and attendance of board meetings, ensuring that all legal records of the company and its subsidiaries are maintained in accordance with law and internal requirements. This includes ensuring that the organisation and its subsidiaries comply with internal delegations of authority; all corporate acts performed by the organisation and its subsidiaries are in accordance with the procedures required by the Companies Act; the appropriate resolutions are passed by the organisation and its subsidiaries and the organisations and subsidiaries corporate records are appropriately filed and maintained. The candidate will also be required to attend board meetings to support the company secretarial activities and monitor and respond to legal items arising from the board meetings.
• Attending to ad-hoc instructions relating to the legal department, provide primary support in relation to administrative matters pertinent to the legal department.
• Maintain and update the internal records of projects and activities undertaken by the organisation and its subsidiaries and be able to provide feedback / reports to the organisations Group as and when required.
• Liaise with external advisors, service providers, consultants, and agents appointed to assist in implementing the objectives of the organisation
• Stay up to date with applicable industry matters in relation to the organisation and its project activities.
• Provide general day to day support to the Head of Legal & Corporate Affairs in managing the legal and corporate affairs of the organisation.
• Contribute generally to the overall efficiency of the legal department.

Qualifications

• LLB Degree.
• Admitted attorney.
• 5 - 7 years post articles commercial/transactional legal experience obtained preferably within (i) an energy or infrastructure team of a law firm, or (ii) a corporate involved in energy or infrastructure projects or (iii) an energy or infrastructure projects department of a financial institution.
• Strong experience/knowledge with contracts and commercial/business matters.
• Strong experience and familiarity with energy and/or infrastructure projects is required. Experience with international or regional projects will be an added advantage.
• Experience within the renewable energy sector will be an added advantage.
• Computer literacy (working knowledge of MS Office and Outlook is essential).

Criteria

• Strong interpersonal skills are required given that the organisation has a diverse local and international culture.
• Candidate should be organised, focused and detailed in order to be effective with large volumes of work, multiple work streams and high pressure periods.
• Candidate should have a solution orientated and hands-on approach.
• A pleasant, passionate and flexible attitude is required to meet the demands and challenges of a dynamic organisation. The candidate should be team orientated to work well with and support other legal team members.
• The position is based in Johannesburg, however, travel may be required depending on the nature of the transaction.

A Consultant will be in touch if you are shortlisted for the position. Please consider your application unsuccessful should you not have been contacted within 2 weeks. We will keep your CV on our database and contact you should you match the criteria of any other vacancies.

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