Reporting to the Head of Legal – Energy, the Senior Legal Associate shall provide legal support for all corporate and commercial transactions and investments including greenfield power and infrastructure projects, petroleum trading, supply and sales contracts, mergers and acquisitions (M&A)s within the Energy Business (the Business) whilst safeguarding shareholder interest, ensuring legal compliance in our business activities and engaging with internal and external stakeholders. The Senior Legal Associate shall also undertake such other authority and scope as shall be delegated by the Head of Legal – Energy.
Key Responsibilities
% of Time
Business Support
Provide support to the Head of Legal – Energy and the Business by implementing initiatives and processes aimed at setting standards and reinforcing a culture of excellence, ambition, ethical behaviour, sustainability, and responsibility.
Lead in the provision of proactive, in depth, pragmatic and business focused advice to the Business on all legal and regulatory matters including investigating, researching and providing legal guidance on all corporate and strategic transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, inter-company relationships, complex commercial agreements, project finance and other issues and circumstances which may arise in the Business’ day to day activities.
Lead on the drafting, review, negotiation and execution of commercial agreements for the petroleum affiliates and international trading businesses including fuel purchase and fuel supply agreements, hospitality agreements, transportation agreements etc as well as leading on debt collection initiatives.
Provide support on drafting, review, negotiation and execution of project contracts for the power and EPC businesses including power purchase agreements, implementation agreements, grid connection agreements, wheeling agreements, concessions, gas supply agreements, EPC contracts etc.
Identify the legal risks and implications of all business transactions, implement the legal & compliance risk strategy of the Business and recommend operational approaches which keep an optimal balance of commercial benefit and legal, compliance & financial risk and keep the senior management informed of any developments in the laws and regulations that potentially affect the Business.
Spearhead market entry studies and advise on in-country compliance and business entry requirements as part of due diligence while contemplating new business ventures/markets.
Lead negotiations and discussions with regulatory bodies and counterparties with a view to protecting the interests of the Business and ensuring adherence to legal, regulatory and Compliance requirements including licensing, HSSE and ESG requirements in different jurisdictions
Monitor on a regular basis and advise the Business on any local content requirements for each of the countries where the Business has or intends to start operations.
Maintain currency within the Petroleum and Energy industry related laws and regulations to identify and communicate changes to internal stakeholders and facilitate compliance by incorporating them into policies, procedures and transaction documents.
Support external legal counsel in prosecuting or defending any proceedings within the Energy business including advising on settlement options and preparing settlement agreements.
Steward the legal budget in line with the overall growth strategy of the Business.
Ad hoc and general business advice including supporting the business on licensing, employment, corporate matters etc
Supporting business development initiatives of the Energy Business including identifying appropriate corporate structures, implementing company incorporations and structuring; drafting, reviewing and negotiating business agreements including cooperation agreements, feasibility documents, consultancy agreements; gas sales and purchase agreements, gas transportation agreements, Energy shipping agreements, charter agreements etc
70%
Strategy implementation
Consideration and recommendation of suitable M&A structures (share swap, share purchases, acquisition of business, asset purchase etc), preparation and negotiation of transaction documents including confidentiality agreements, letters of offer, subscription agreements, share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, joint venture agreements, and other ancillary documents.
Manage end to end approval from Competition Authorities in relevant countries including the application processes and any necessary appeal management
Lead and advise on due diligence exercises on corporate mergers, asset acquisitions, divestitures etc
Provide guidance and draft / review documentation on employee related matters arising from M&A and restructuring transactions.
Advise on corporate and project financing matters including the suitability as well as the pros and cons of financing through equity and debt structures in different transactions.
IP protection and enforcement including trademark registration, renewal and assignment processes and guiding on the protection of the Business’ intellectual property
Ad hoc and formal legal advice and opinions to business, business executives and stakeholders
Any other tasks, functions and/or authority as delegated by the Head of Legal – Energy.
30%
Customers of this Position
Head of Legal – Energy
Chief Executive Officer – Energy
Chief Executive Officer – Petroleum
All Business Sales, Technical, Supply & Distribution and Finance Teams
Audit Teams
People and Culture
Entity Management & Compliance
Knowledge, Skills and Experience required for this Role
Job Knowledge:
Strong drafting and negotiation skills
Ability to understand, interpret, explain and resolve diverse and challenging legal matters
Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills
The ability to simultaneously progress multiple projects / matters
Team player with the ability to persuade others for compliance
Willingness to learn with the ability and desire to develop self and others
Organized, task and detail oriented
Consistent delivery on time in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment.
Motivated, confident and creative problem solver, with a strong work ethic, who instinctually pushes projects forward to completion
Excellent communication skills - both written and oral
Consensus building
Experience:
5+ years of relevant legal work experience in a law firm or in-house legal team
Corporate/commercial experience and exposure to a broad array of transactions
M&A projects counsel experience
Experience with regulatory matters specifically for petroleum and energy projects
Point of contact for legal advice to a broad group of internal clients
Contract negotiation and provision of legal advice to a diverse client group
Prior successful experience in negotiations of complex, high value contracts.
Education:
Bachelors’ of Law degree (LLB) from a recognized institution
Member in good standing of the relevant Law Society / Professional body
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya (for Kenya based employees)
