Legal Advisor(Renewable Energy)

Set Consulting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A legal consulting firm in Cape Town is seeking a qualified Legal Advisor to provide strategic legal advice in the renewable energy sector. The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of post-qualification experience, specializing in project finance and development. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating contracts, managing due diligence, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. This role requires strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified and admitted attorney specializing in project finance.
• Minimum 4 years’ post-qualification legal experience.
• Experience in a law firm with renewable energy exposure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice on projects from inception to close.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various agreements.
• Manage acquisitions and due diligence processes.
• Lead legal aspects of financial close and compliance.

Skills

Strong drafting skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Education

LLB degree

Job description

Overview

Legal Advisor

Cape Town

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic legal advice to project teams from inception through to financial close, including land rights, procurement requirements, and long-term lease or servitude agreements.
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of agreements such as option, lease, servitude, wayleave, EPC, O&M, PPA, IA, SHA, MOI, facility agreements, and supply contracts.
• Manage acquisitions and due diligence processes, including negotiation of share purchase and joint development agreements.
• Support bid preparation for public and private sector projects, advising on legal requirements and ensuring compliance.
• Lead the legal aspects of financial close, including drafting and negotiating project, corporate, and finance documents.
• Advise on environmental and permitting matters, including EA appeals.
• Manage external legal counsel and coordinate between sponsors, lenders, contractors, and regulators.
• Provide legal support during construction and operational phases, including dispute resolution, claims, and contract interpretation.
• Ensure robust corporate governance, draft resolutions and corporate documents, and present at board meetings where required.
• Monitor legislative changes affecting the renewable energy sector and ensure compliance with group policies, ethics, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to training and mentoring of junior legal team members.

Qualifications

• Qualified and admitted attorney, specializing in project development, project construction and / or project finance within the renewable energy or infrastructure sector.
• LLB degree.
• Minimum 4 years’ post-qualification legal experience.
• At least 2 years in a law firm environment with exposure to renewable energy, project finance, or infrastructure.

Key Competencies

• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• High attention to detail, well-organized, and self-motivated.
• Effective communicator, both written and verbal, with the ability to build strong relationships across diverse stakeholders.
• Resilient, solutions-oriented, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, professional integrity, and ethical practice.

Leadership Competencies

• Willingness to mentor, train, and support junior legal colleagues.