Junior Legal Counsel

Mezzanine; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 250,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company specializing in digital technology solutions is seeking a Junior Legal Counsel based in Stellenbosch. In this role, you will provide legal support across various departments, manage contracts, and ensure compliance with internal policies. Ideal candidates have an LLB degree and relevant experience, with strong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in an in-house counsel role or law firm.
• Ability to manage multiple legal workstreams independently.
• Confidence in interpreting legal frameworks and managing risk.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts; manage the contracting process.
• Support business teams with legal guidance on commercial frameworks.
• Conduct internal legal risk assessments and address ad-hoc queries.

Skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation skills

Compliance principles

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

LLB degree

Admitted Attorney

Tools

Document management tools

Productivity tools

Job description

About Mezzanine

Mezzanine designs and builds digital technology solutions for customers across Africa and beyond in order to create productive societies. Founded in 2012, Mezzanine has market-leading expertise in the agricultural, health, financial inclusion, and education spaces and works with mobile network operators to bring about positive change in the lives of people through the opportunities created by digital solutions. Mezzanine is a home-grown African company delivering value to the people of Africa and beyond.

Mezzanine is a subsidiary of the Vodacom Group.

About The Role

We are looking for a Junior Legal Counsel to join our team. This role will support our legal, compliance, and contracting operations across the business. The successful candidate will work closely with various departments, providing legal advice, managing contracts, supporting compliance with internal policies and Vodacom standards, and helping to streamline legal processes.

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, solutions-driven, and confident in interpreting legal frameworks and managing risk. They should have strong communication skills, an ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, and a proactive approach to supporting both operational and strategic business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Support business teams by reviewing commercial frameworks and providing legal guidance
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts; manage the full contracting process
• Maintain legal templates, contract libraries, and legal process documentation
• Monitor contract renewals, expirations, and ensure adherence to contractual commitments
• Conduct due diligence for new suppliers as part of the procurement process
• Collaborate with Vodacom’s compliance team on reporting, training, and audits
• Implement the suite of Vodacom compliance policies across the business (examples: Anti-bribery & Corruption, Economic Sanctions & Trade Controls, and Generative AI)
• Conduct internal legal risk assessments and support ad-hoc legal queries
• Monitor regulatory updates and assess impact on Mezzanine’s operations
• Devise innovative solutions to improve legal processes
  
  

Requirements

• LLB degree
• Admitted Attorney (completed articles)
• 1–2 years of work experience in an in-house counsel role or law firm
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Sound understanding of compliance and risk management principles
• Proficient in using document management and productivity tools
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple legal workstreams
  
  

Advantageous

• Experience in the telco or software industry
• Familiarity with Vodacom/Vodafone compliance processes
• Experience in working with contract or compliance management systems
  
  

Location: Stellenbosch (hybrid)

Start date: ASAP