Senior Legal Specialist - Community & Permitting at Robert Walters

• The Legal Specialist (Community & Permitting) is responsible for providing comprehensive tenure and permitting advice to support the organisation's business objectives. The Legal Specialist serves as the primary advisor to business units on tenure, permitting, and related community matters, enabling strategic decisions that meet regulatory and operational standards and facilitate timely project advancement.

Work of the Role:

Safety:

• Oversee consistent application of Safety & Health principles in all discipline interactions and take personal responsibility for safety of self and others to ensure zero harm and elimination of fatalities

Performance and Delivery:

• Provide comprehensive community and permitting advice to the organisation.
• Manage relationships with key internal stakeholders on community and permitting matters.
• Advise on legal issues impacting business strategy related to community and permitting.
• Recommend improvements to legal systems and strategies for managing community and permitting risks.
• Implement risk mitigation initiatives for community and permitting transactions.
• Monitor and communicate changes to indigenous laws, permitting laws and human rights policies affecting the organisation.
• Complete reporting obligations on community and permitting promptly, following legal policies.

People & Teams:

• Implement a purpose-driven, high-performing culture that is aligned with the company values, is inclusive and promotes diversity, supports engagement and fosters continuous improvement to work processes.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance to internal and external regulatory, legislative and permitting requirements.

Requirements & Technical Skills:

• Admitted Attorney with a minimum of 4 years of post-admission experience.
• Understand South African law, with an emphasis on mining law and industry experience as beneficial but not essential.
• Recognise the permitting and community impact of legal scenarios and decisions.
• Apply knowledge of environmental, health and safety, mining, social security law.
• Navigate property law and lease agreements effectively.
• Demonstrate strong technical ability as a lawyer with precise drafting skills and attention to detail.
• Drive best practices in the speciality area.
• Exhibit accomplished communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills.
• Manage and regulate workflows efficiently.
• Apply strong organisational, transaction management, and analytical skills.
• Interface and influence key stakeholders effectively.
• Showcase excellent legal drafting and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in legal software and platforms.
• Ability to contribute to a team in complex legal projects, ensuring timely delivery.
• Ability to identify intricate legal risks.