Senior Legal Counsel – Wind / Solar – Cape Town

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Please be aware that this position involves regular travel to various African jurisdictions and other offices within the organization. Do you have experience in innovating legal strategies to enhance compliance measures and uphold our commitment to corporate governance excellence? Do you have 5 – 7 years of experience as a Legal Counsel in the renewable energy sector?

Do you have experience in outlining a holistic approach you would take in balancing legal support for project development with asset management and legal administration to achieve cohesive organizational objectives?

Our client is a leading renewable power generation company dedicated to the development, ownership, and operation of wind and solar assets. Their portfolio boasts over 1 gigawatt of operational wind power spread across the globe with a focus on transitioning projects from mid to late-stage development into long-term operational phases. Recognizing the pivotal role of clean energy, our client is equally attuned to the importance of risk mitigation, compliance assurance, and the long-term sustainability of projects within this ever-evolving industry. Consequently, they are seeking to appoint a Senior Legal Counsel to fortify their team.

As our ideal candidate, you have a Bachelor of Laws degree obtained from a reputable institution, you have good experience in project development and project finance in the energy space, particularly in Africa and you have M&A experience. You will ultimately be responsible for support to the project development commercial teams, including preliminary due diligence before engaging external counsel, assisting in planning deal timelines, and drafting contracts. Additionally, you will be overseeing lender and stakeholder due diligence processes (including KYC requirements), and engaging in contract drafting, review, and negotiation. Specific responsibility is held for supporting document management for all assigned projects. Legal administrative tasks, such as preparing legal requests for proposals, reviewing engagement letters and bills, and maintaining corporate records, including logging and archiving original documentation, are also part of the responsibilities.

Your role extends beyond traditional legal boundaries – you'll contribute to sustainable project development, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and shape the future of renewable energy.

If you're ready to merge your legal expertise with the exciting realm of renewable energy, seize this opportunity!

• LLB from a reputable institution

• 5 – 7 years of experience as a Legal Counsel in the renewable energy sector
• In-house experience is advantageous.
• Possesses significant expertise in project development and project finance within the energy sector, with a particular focus on Africa.
• Demonstrates experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
• Has a proven track record of working collaboratively with lenders, financiers, and joint venture partners.
• Exhibits proficiency in handling equity documents, including shareholders' agreements and Joint Development Agreements (JDAs).

• Offer legal support to the project development commercial teams, including preliminary due diligence before engaging external counsel, assisting in planning deal timelines, and drafting contracts. This involves the
• Draft and negotiation of various project documents such as MOUs, PPAs, Government Guarantees, Connection Agreements, and land rights, as well as project finance documentation
• Collaborate with and management of external legal counsel is a part of this role
• Manage existing group assets, addressing daily inquiries from on-site teams, aiding project managers in post-completion matters, ongoing document management, and assisting in post-completion initiatives
• Support the creation and management of electronic data rooms, overseeing lender and stakeholder due diligence processes (including KYC requirements), and engaging in contract drafting, review, and negotiation
• Support document management for all assigned projects
• Legal administrative tasks, such as preparing legal requests for proposals, reviewing engagement letters and bills, and maintaining corporate records, including logging and archiving original documentation, are also part of the responsibilities
• Support legal risk analysis and collaborate with the commercial team to provide or review documentation for obtaining necessary approvals for proposed acquisitions, disposals, joint ventures, or submission of offers or bids, whether on a bilateral or tender basis
• Coordinate with other members of the legal department is required on matters of corporate administration, compliance, insurance, and construction Frequent travel to relevant African jurisdictions and other group offices is expected.

• Proficiency in legal drafting and negotiation
• Effective communication skills, particularly in collaboration with multidisciplinary commercial and legal teams
• Strong planning and organizational abilities
• Sound judgment
• Commitment to diversity and ethical behaviour
• Achievement-focused mindset
• Commercial acumen
• Transactional skills
• Competence in people management
• Effective presentation skills