Legal Counsel - Commercial & Corporate at Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited

Job Purpose

• The role of the Legal Counsel (LC), Commercial & Corporate Legal Services, is to provide a wide range of integrated legal advice, support and related services to the Renaissance business in a proactive, timely, cost-efficient and professional manner with a view to furthering business objectives and protecting shareholder interests.
• As part of the Renaissance legal team, the successful candidate is expected to support Renaissance’s strategy and vision to be Africa’s leading energy company, enabling energy security and industrialisation in a sustainable manner.

General Description

• The LC will report to and work closely with the Managing Counsel, Commercial & Corporate Legal Services and other senior lawyers to provide support on a wide range of critical and complex operational, commercial & related stakeholder issues and projects, and advice on JV Governance, reputational and regulatory compliance related issues.
• This role will also require the successful candidate to work with the Managing Counsel, Commercial & Corporate Legal Services to lead or provide support and/or collaborate on several initiatives relevant to the business strategy and departmental related activities.
• The role will provide an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to work on critical operational issues as well as complex and high value commercial issues whilst deepening their knowledge of the business and developing both technical and non-technical skills.
• The role will provide exposure to leaders within Legal and the business as well as insight into the challenges of the energy business especially in Nigeria, and how those challenges impact wider Renaissance issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead lawyer supporting the Asset teams in the management of all operational and related stakeholder issues capable of disrupting operations
• Lawyer providing legal support to the Corporate Lands team in the management of acquisition and post- acquisition issues, oil spill compensation and providing legal guidance to the Lands and Compensation Board.
• Supporting the investigation of Safety & Environment (S&E) related incidents across the Renaissance footprint, and the Emergency Response team, as well as participate as part of Incident Review Panels where required
• Identifying need for specialist input and work with subject matter experts as required in the delivery of business objectives
• Identifying and prioritize legal risks and alternative strategies for delivering business objectives in a variety of areas/circumstances
• Ensuring documentation is appropriately drafted to accurately reflect agreed legal obligations, and is in line with the Renaissance governance framework and professional standards
• Supporting initiatives aimed at improving efficiencies in the delivery of integrated legal services to the business, including review and re-deployment of available tools within legal, peer reviews and sharing of best practices.
• Supporting compliance issues and, if required, deliver mandatory compliance training to the business (e.g. ABC/AML, Anti-trust).

Job Dimension

• Role requires close interaction with the business, external stakeholders and third parties at the operational level, in the management of issues that could sometimes have immediate or significant business and reputational impact.
• Good understanding of upstream energy operations and, typical operational issues across the Niger Delta
• Familiarity with the legal framework for the petroleum industry e.g. the Petroleum Industry Act, the different regulatory bodies and their roles is critical
• Pragmatic and collaborative approach to working with and managing stakeholders (internal and external) is required
• Driving prioritisation of work with the business based on clear understanding of associated risk and value
• Good knowledge of the various host government contracts and contractual structures used in the energy business
• Ability to tailor advice and documentation to address the unique risks and features of the upstream energy business and particular operations is required
• Ability to think strategically and creatively, and provide advice relating to long term and strategic business goals is important
• As a legal integrator, the right behaviours (the how) are key to success in the role.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s Degree from a reputable institution
• Minimum of LL. B, BL with 10 years or more PQE, with demonstrable track record as team player. 
• High ethical standards and professional integrity to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, the company’s business principles, code of conduct and other internal polices
• Ability to think creatively and find pragmatic solutions to legal and operational issues, within acceptable legal and risk frameworks
• Good commercial mindset and the ability to handle and prioritise multiple demanding clients
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills with demonstrated sound judgment in sensitive areas and on difficult issues
• Strong influencing and facilitation skills
• Ability to develop and build strong relationships with clients at all levels and across organisations and handle complex and sensitive government and partner relations.
• Familiarity with/Experience in dealing with regulatory, commercial transactions and operational issues in the energy industry.
• Strong communication skills to liaise, collaborate, influence various stakeholders, explain complex legal issues and concepts in a clear manner and negotiate effectively.
• Prior core commercial legal work experience within the extractive industry, power or in the energy/power practice team in a highly rated law firms (with international experience and clientele) in Nigeria.

Special Challenges/Additional Comments:

• Navigating a dynamic and fast paced operating environment with a large footprint and competing priorities, and working under pressure to deliver against tight deadline
• A learner mindset with ability to respond quickly to issues whilst exercising sound legal judgement
• Working in a multi-disciplinary project teams with both internal and external stakeholders with diverse cultural backgrounds requires strong collaborative skills and networked performance
• Frequent interaction with government officials at all levels as well as other third parties
• Requirement to take on additional standing and/or ad-hoc business- or stakeholders-critical responsibilities outside the key accountabilities.