Senior Legal Counsel - Ntabozuko - South Pole

Description

South Pole is an energetic and global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services across all continents. Our mission is to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a Senior Specialist Legal Counsel for EMEA to support the Legal team in managing legal activities in the dynamic carbon markets. The successful candidate will work closely with our different business lines to ensure compliance with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks, assist in contract negotiation, and contribute to the refinement of legal templates, playbooks and processes.

The ideal candidate will draft, review and negotiate business-as-usual (BAU) contracts, including client and partner agreements, ensuring alignment with company policies. They will also participate in and support commercial negotiations.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Commercial Contracting and Negotiation:
   • Draft, review, negotiate and manage various contracts, including voluntary carbon trading contracts, environmental attribute certificate contracts and services consultancy agreements.
   • Act as a lead negotiator in contract discussions with clients, partners and suppliers, with support from key business stakeholders.
   • Support the tender process and help structure transactions for the commercial functions.
2. Risk Assessment and Management (Trading/Regulatory):
   • Perform risk assessments of proposed contractual terms and conditions, developing recommendations to minimize potential risks and add value to business activities.
   • Monitor developments and implementation of relevant new legislation and advise on due diligence.
   • Update and maintain templates and the overall contracting process.
3. Legal Advisory and Collaboration:
   • Act as a trusted advisor to the business on all contractual, corporate and contract-related legal matters, providing sound legal advice and highlighting the need for review or development of new alternate positions.
   • Collaborate with and advise local and global business teams, including HR, Risk Management, Operations, and participate in global procurement & trading and legal improvement projects.
   • Lead South Pole's legal representative with regards to trading activities on online platforms and exchanges, as well as financial derivatives such as futures on regulated exchanges (e.g., ICE, CME), swaps, options.

Requirements:

1. Licence to practice law in the relevant jurisdiction.
2. 3-5 years PQE in an international law firm or comparable in-house experience.
3. Preferably physical and financial commodity trading experience or project development and finance experience.
4. Experience transacting in frontier markets and carbon market experience are advantageous but not requirements.
5. Strong leadership, team management and mentoring skills with a proven track record in developing legal professionals.
6. Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
7. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, senior management and external stakeholders.
8. Knowledge of relevant legal regulations, compliance requirements and industry standards in the voluntary carbon market is a plus.

What We Offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. We offer a career, not just a job. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We're a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make; South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability.