Legal Advisor(renewable energy)

SUMMARY:
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POSITION INFO:

Legal Advisor

Market-related Package

Cape Town

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Legal Counsel to provide comprehensive legal support across the full lifecycle of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and battery storage. The role covers development, bidding, procurement, financing, construction, operation, and decommissioning in both government and private procurement projects across Southern Africa.

Reporting directly to the Head of Legal and Compliance, the Legal Counsel will play a critical role in ensuring projects are developed and executed within a sound legal framework, while safeguarding the company’s interests and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice to project teams from inception through to financial close, including land rights, procurement requirements, and long-term lease or servitude agreements.

• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements such as option, lease, servitude, wayleave, EPC, O&M, PPA, IA, SHA, MOI, facility agreements, and supply contracts.

• Manage acquisitions and due diligence processes, including negotiation of share purchase and joint development agreements.

• Support bid preparation for public and private sector projects, advising on legal requirements and ensuring compliance.

• Lead the legal aspects of financial close, including drafting and negotiating project, corporate, and finance documents.

• Advise on environmental and permitting matters, including EA appeals.

• Manage external legal counsel and coordinate between sponsors, lenders, contractors, and regulators.

• Provide legal support during construction and operational phases, including dispute resolution, claims, and contract interpretation.

• Ensure robust corporate governance, draft resolutions and corporate documents, and present at board meetings where required.

• Monitor legislative changes affecting the renewable energy sector and ensure compliance with group policies, ethics, and regulatory requirements.

• Contribute to training and mentoring of junior legal team members.

Qualification and Experience:

• Qualified and admitted attorney, specializing in project development, project construction and/or project finance within the renewable energy or infrastructure sector.

• LLB degree.

• Minimum 4 years’ post-qualification legal experience.

• At least 2 years in a law firm environment with exposure to renewable energy, project finance, or infrastructure.

Key Competencies:

• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.

• High attention to detail, well-organized, and self-motivated.

• Effective communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.

• Resilient, solutions-oriented, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.

• Commitment to confidentiality, professional integrity, and ethical practice.

Leadership Competencies:

• Willingness to mentor, train, and support junior legal colleagues.