Legal Counsel at NOV

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Aiding with legal projects and tender negotiations and processes. 
• Reviewing, drafting, redrafting and/or negotiating of: (i) customer proposed changes to Company standard terms and conditions; (ii) non-disclosure agreements; (iii) variations to contracts; (iv) contracts based on standard terms and conditions or pre-agreed customer terms; (v) contracts based on customer terms and conditions; (vi) Master Service Agreements, (vii) frame agreements and MOU’s; (viii) mutual hold harmless agreements; (ix) subcontracts; (x) lease agreements; (xi) man power agreements; (xii) powers of attorney, and (xiii) other forms of contracts. 
• Provide various Company business units with advice on, and possible solutions (by considering mitigating factors) to: (i) the commercial and legal risks associated with the customer proposed changes or customer terms and conditions; (ii) where required discuss and negotiate proposed changes with customer; (iii) provide assistance in ensuring the company has the proper contractual relationships in place for all of the business that it performs; (iv) ensure that relevant internal approvals are obtained through the correct channels/processes; (v) if required provide project management for the various disciplines involved such as tax, treasury, insurance and finance and (vi) if required provide advice and guidance to the business as to Company rights and obligations under the terms of existing contracts.
• To review and check contracts for signature by the authorised signatory of the relevant legal entity to ensure they reflect the final agreed version of the contract.
• Attend calls and meetings, taking minutes as required with internal business units, prospective client’s and major suppliers.
• Draft letters of demand and manage claims, including court claims if required. 
• Provide corporate legal support including company secretarial matters
• Support other departments and carry out other duties as and when business requirements dictate as may be reasonably expected by line manager.
• Travel as and when required. 

Qualifications and Experience

• LL.B and LL.M Degrees;
• Admitted Attorney or Advocate in South Africa;
• 2 – 4 years PQE at a top tier firm or MNC in-house company with corporate / commercial knowledge and experience on contracts and the law associated therewith;
• Understanding of the commercial contract and procurement processes;
• Experience identifying and managing contractual and legal risks;
• The ability to speak French and/or Portuguese would be an advantage but is not essential.