Legal Advisor: Commercial

Nefcorp; Sandton; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 720,000; Part time

Job summary

NEF seeks a Legal Advisor: Commercial on a 6 months fixed-term contract to support the deal structuring team. The role focuses on providing sound legal assistance, reviewing and negotiating complex commercial agreements and advising on regulatory compliance.

You will work with the investment team, participate in due diligence, and help minimise legal risks in transactions such as franchise, contract finance, and related investment activities.

Qualifications

• LLB – admitted attorney with at least 3 years post article experience.
• Strong corporate and commercial law experience with banking/finance exposure.
• Experience in legal due diligence and drafting/negotiating commercial agreements.

Responsibilities

• Provide sound legal support to NEF’s deal structuring team.
• Deliver prompt and sound legal advice to the Fund Management Division.
• Attend due diligence assessments and identify legal risks with mitigation.
• Draft, vet and negotiate commercial agreements (loan, share sale, security docs).
• Ensure agreements align with term sheets and Investment Committee approvals.

Skills

Corporate & commercial law

Banking & finance

Due diligence

Legal advisory

Communication

Teamwork

Education

LLB – admitted attorney

Tools

PowerPoint

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

The NEF is recruiting for a Legal Advisor: Commercial to join the Legal team on a 06 months Fixed-Term Contract. The role of the incumbent will be providing sound legal support to NEF as part of the deal structuring team. Furthermore, to fulfil all statutory, reporting and legal advisory services in accordance with business requirements as well as provide legal solutions that minimise risks for transactions like franchise, contract finance, etc.

• To provide prompt and sound legal advice and support to the NEF in particular the Fund Management Division.
• Form part of the investment team and consult regularly with team on proposed structure and developments and legal implications thereof.
• Attend due diligence assessment relating to NEF’s investments.
• Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation methods for the risks relating to NEF’s investments.
• Provide legal input to submission papers prepared for Investment Committee(s).
• Drafting, vetting and negotiating a range of commercial agreements e.g. loan agreements, sale of shares, sale of business, security documents etc. in line with NEF’s funding terms and conditions.
• Ensure agreements are legally accurate and in accordance with the term sheet and Investment Committee approval.
• Ensure agreements are in line with latest legal developments.
• Manage costs/budget for work carried out externally.

Experience / Skills Required

• At least 3 – 5 years job related corporate and commercial law and banking and finance principles.
• Working knowledge of various computer programmes including Power Point, MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• In depth knowledge of laws and legal processes in respect of NEF core business (primarily relating to Corporate Finance, Structured Finance and Investment Banking).
• Working knowledge of other areas of law e.g. Tax, Companies Act, Insolvency, Labour Law.
• Experience in legal due diligence.
• Working knowledge of finance.
• Ability to work on your own and within a team.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly effective communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Articulate and detail conscious.
• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Professional and courteous to all clients (internal and external).
• Accuracy in preparing legal documentation.
• Ability to advice on legal issues related to NEF business.
• Ability to convey legal opinion and argue legally.

Qualification Requirements

• LLB – admitted attorney with at least 3 years post article experience.