Legal Counsel - Energy & Infrastructure Projects

Placements24; Richards Bay; Remote; ZAR 1,800,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance incentives

Medical aid & retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 seeks an experienced Legal Counsel for Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, to support large-scale energy and infrastructure projects.

You will advise on development, financing, construction, and operation, negotiating key contracts and ensuring regulatory compliance. This role offers remote flexibility while collaborating with project teams.

Qualifications

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with 7+ years post-qualification experience.
• Demonstrated experience in project finance, energy law, or infrastructure development.
• Strong understanding of South African environmental, energy, and land-use regulations.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial and project contracts.
• Experience with international project finance structures is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and remotely while managing multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal counsel on energy and infrastructure projects from inception to completion.
• Draft, review, and negotiate EPC, O&M, PPAs, and financing documents.
• Conduct due diligence on sites, permits, and regulatory approvals.
• Advise on land use, environmental law, and regulatory compliance for development.
• Manage project finance legal aspects including debt and equity financing.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks in project execution and operation.
• Liaise with government authorities, regulators and stakeholders.
• Support dispute resolution and litigation management when necessary.

Skills

Legal experience

Contract negotiation

Regulatory compliance

Project finance

Education

Admitted Attorney of SA High Court

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major player in the energy and infrastructure development sector, is actively seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support its expanding operations based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. This critical role will involve providing expert legal advice on the development, financing, construction, and operation of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, particularly focusing on renewable energy sources. You will be instrumental in navigating the complex legal and regulatory landscape associated with these ventures, including contract negotiation, risk assessment, and dispute resolution. The Richards Bay location, a key industrial port city, is strategically significant for such projects. This is an exceptional opportunity for a legally astute professional to contribute to transformative projects shaping South Africa's energy future. Working remotely allows flexibility while engaging with project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive legal counsel on all phases of energy and infrastructure projects, from inception to completion.
• Draft, review, and negotiate key project agreements, including EPC contracts, O&M agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), and financing documents.
• Conduct legal due diligence on project sites, permits, and regulatory approvals.
• Advise on land acquisition, environmental law, and regulatory compliance pertinent to project development.
• Manage legal aspects of project finance, including securing debt and equity financing.
• Identify and mitigate legal risks associated with project execution and operation.
• Liaise with government authorities, regulators, and other stakeholders.
• Support dispute resolution processes and litigation management when necessary.

Requirements

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a minimum of 7 years post-qualification experience.
• Demonstrated experience in project finance, energy law, or infrastructure development.
• Strong understanding of relevant South African legislation (e.g., environmental, energy, land use) and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to draft and negotiate complex commercial and project-specific contracts.
• Experience with international project finance structures and standards is advantageous.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote setting, managing multiple deadlines.
• Commitment to staying current with industry developments and legal precedents in the energy sector.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based incentives and project success bonuses.
• Medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Professional development support and opportunities to attend industry conferences.
• Significant involvement in impactful and sustainable development projects.
• Flexible working arrangements, with a fully remote setup.