Manager, Legal - Commercial (Downstream Projects) at Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO)

Key Professional Functions

• Drafting, reviewing and Negotiating Contracts related to Downstream Oil & Gas Operations or EPCC Agreements with Vendors for Procurement of Materials and Services including imported capital goods and materials, Technology Licensing Agreements, Joint Venture Agreements, Hydrocarbons Purchase, Sales and Off-take agreements, Financing Agreement with Financing Entities, Exclusive and non-exclusive services provider agreements with customers, Agreements for creation and administration of Charges and Encumbrances, Forward Sale Agreements etc.
• Creating and administering processes for governance, compliances and risk management in connection with the provisions in the various contracts mentioned above
• Planning and implementing procedural actions to support implementation of commercial contracts
• Negotiating contracts with customers, business partners, vendors and regulators
• Supporting Mediation and Arbitration proceedings as required
• Dealing with Regulatory Authorities and public sector undertakings’ executives and staff, as required
• Providing or procuring Legal Opinion on associated matters related to Commercial Laws, Financial Laws and Regulations, Tax Laws and/or on specific Transactions
• Explain and present legal issues and matters to Business Executives in business language devoid of legal jargon, as well as to incorporate business and technical perspectives when dealing with legal matters

Important Attributes

• Essential to have extensive specialist experience as a Contracts & Procurement Lawyer in large EPCC (Engineering Procurement Construction and Commissioning) Companies or otherwise as a Commercial Lawyer executing large EPCC Projects worth $100M+ with experience in the areas of international contracts and imports of Capital Goods and Material.
• Desirable, but not essential, to have experience of working on large EPC contracts as a legal specialist in Upstream, Midstream, Downstream Oil & Gas related industries such as Petrochemicals, Fertilisers etc. This would be an added advantage.
• It is essential to have actual extensive experience of directly managing and handling complex high value commercial EPC contracts (of contract value of US$100 Million or more), such that the candidate has in-depth understanding of the financial/commercial/operational/technical/contractual/regulatory risks involved, ways to mitigate those risks, critical terms and conditions which have material bearings from financial/commercial/operational performance perspectives, typical detailed provisions related to operational and financial governance of the contract performance, liquidated damages related to non-performance, warranties and performance guarantees, passing of the title and risks, financing, governing laws and arbitration, typical payment terms structure, financial/corporate guarantees, encumbrances and covenants, intellectual property rights and confidentiality, sharing of risks amongst multiple parties incase of complex contracts etc.
• Evaluate commercial contracts from the perspective of regulatory compliances and provide legal advisory for the purpose of transaction/contractual structuring planning and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Extremely good understanding of legal, commercial, financial, operational, governance and risk management aspects related to commercial contracts and their implementation
• Expert level drafting, negotiation and advocacy skills.
• Extremely good communication skills as an Advocate.
• Understand facts, analyse the pertinent legal issues and suggest solutions to mitigate risks in a proactive manner
• Keep abreast of legislative and regulatory changes in the relevant Sectors/Industries being managed as a commercial lawyer.
• Trusted Advisor to the Company on business transactions and suggest way forward to mitigate risks and be commercially and legally prudent.
• Well versed with handling claims, change orders, extra claim, liquidated damages and suggest resolution mechanism.
• Maintain good relations with Advocates/Lawyers, briefing the Counsel and suggest Company’s viewpoint.
• Should have business friendly and litigation avoidance approach

Requirements
Professional Qualifications:

• A full time Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a reputed Nigerian, or Internationally reputed institution or university.
• Specialist post graduate qualification related to Oil & Gas Sector or Commercial Law or Contract Law would be preferable but not essential.
• Member of a relevant Bar in Nigeria, United Kingdom, USA etc.

Professional Experience:

• At least between 8 to 12 years of experience in a reputed firm of Solicitors or Corporate House, with specialist experience in the as a Contracts & Procurement Lawyer for large EPCC Contracts preferably related to downstream Oil & Gas Projects like Petrochemicals, Fertilisers, LNG etc.
• Deep expertise and practical experience in applicable Laws including statute law, secondary legislation and jurisprudence.
• Some practical experience of dealing with commercial laws and corporate laws of United Kingdom or the USA is desirable.
• Exposure to dealing with top notch international Solicitor Firms and reputed Nigerian/International Law Firms

Travels:

• This position will be based in Lagos, Nigeria with travelling requirements related to the job function within Nigeria and internationally as and when needed.