Junior Legal Counsel at Puma Energy

Main Purpose

Reporting to the Head of Legal: Central and West Africa, the incumbent will work with the other team members in managing the legal issues for the Puma Energy companies operating in these clusters which shall include Republic of Congo, Senegal, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Nigeria. (clusters are subject to revision from time to time)

Candidate should be proficient in French

Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• To provide general commercial contract legal support, working effectively with other key functions (eg compliance, finance and commercial) and experts to deliver timely, high quality, high impact, high value support, acting as a facilitator and enabler to support the business in meeting its objectives.
• To advise upon and manage contentious matters which may arise.
• To engage closely with stakeholders at all levels in the business unit to align objectives and priorities; to ensure business support as appropriate; and to build strong working relationships.
• To be highly visible both as a member of the legal team and as an advocate for intelligent risk-based decisions.
• To support the legal team objectives, including involvement in projects to improve team performance and management and managing relationships with external legal counsel.
• To role model high levels of customer awareness and engagement at work and outside it and standing for Puma Energy values.
• To seek out opportunities for innovation and process improvement to increase overall efficiency of wider legal team.
• To keep abreast of relevant legal and regulatory developments and to facilitate sharing of knowledge and best-practice within wider legal team as well as more widely.
• To support the business in particular on the following; supporting HR related matters, drafting amendments to agreements and standard documentation, managing in country law firms, reviewing legal filings on contentious matters, attending to employment law queries, drafting and following up on letter of demand and other credit related matters, attending to drafting and advising on settlement agreements, providing in country legal research on a variety of topics and supporting Company Secretarial with in country advice and drafting of company secretarial documents in French.

Requirements

• Admitted attorney qualified to practice law in any of the Francophone countries with at least 3 years post articles experience.
• Proficiency in French and English
• Knowledge of other jurisdictions in the region and worldwide is desirable;
• Minimum of 1-2 years of relevant work experience, gained in private practice or experience in the Oil and Gas sector;
• Minimum of 25% travel to the various countries;
• Knowledge of the petroleum retail service station business is desirable;
• A completed four year legal studies university degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Good standing certificate with the professional body such as law society of South Africa;
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills;
• Familiarity on both common and civil contract law, regulatory law, competition law, environmental law, property law, dispute resolution and corporate laws (including OHADA Laws);
• Experience of working in a fast-paced commercial environment and dealing with colleagues and advisors in other countries/time zones;
• Ability to work independently when required, managing a number of matters simultaneously;
• Comfortable with managing a busy workload of changing priorities and still be able to meet various deadlines.
• Familiarity with standard MS Office computer software and online resources;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Energetic, dynamic and enthusiastic personality
• “Can do” approach, identifying and delivering creative solutions not obstacles;
• Team player and ability to travel when required.