Global Lead Counsel, Regulatory and Corporate Legal - Cape Town, South Africa - South Pole

South Pole
South Pole
Verified Company
Cape Town, South Africa

1 week ago

Thabo Mthembu

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Thabo Mthembu

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Description
South Pole is an energetic, global company offering comprehensive sustainability solutions and services.

With offices spanning all continents across the globe, we strive to create a sustainable society and economy that positively impacts our climate, ecosystems and developing communities.

With our solutions, we inspire and enable our customers to create value from sustainability-related activities.

Our Corporate Functions team is the "enablement engine" of South Pole. Behind the scenes, we provide the business with world-class solutions and best practices that sustain business growth and success. We cover key areas such as Finance, HR, Office Management, Legal, IT, Operations, etc. If you are a smart, ambitious and dynamic professional with a strong passion to make a real difference in the fight against climate change, the below position may be right for you


Job summary:


As Legal Counsel (Regulatory and Corporate), you will be responsible for tracking and providing legal guidance on applicable laws and regulations in Carbon Markets/ Climate Projects.

We don't need you to be an expert today when you join - we will support you with internal/ external resources in developing the expertise on the job but a feel for regulatory frameworks (whether in the financial or renewables space), an appetite for reading, quick retention and a healthy curiosity are a prerequisite.

This role is uniquely positioned at the intersection of regulatory compliance and corporate legal support, requiring a balance of 65% focus on carbon markets and climate regulatory work and 35% on supporting the General Counsel with corporate governance, M&A, strategic transactions and divestments.


Main tasks & responsibilities:


Regulatory Compliance:


  • Stay abreast of evolving standards, changes in laws and regulations affecting a) businesses selling or marketing carbon offsets and other environmental certificates in all voluntary and compliance markets served by South Pole b) the development and operation of carbon projects and other projects generating positive environmental outcomes
  • Assess the impact of regulatory developments on South Pole's operations, products & services, contract templates and gotomarket strategy
  • Co
- develop and implement compliance strategies to mitigate legal risks associated with regulatory changes which create compliance obligations for SP.

  • Draft and review responses to requests from regulatory authorities
  • Take the lead in producing readerfriendly internal updates and thought leadership
  • Assist in the preparation and delivery of internal seminars and workshops

Corporate and Transactional Work:


  • Support the General Counsel in corporate governance matters, including M&A, divestments, and other strategic transactions. This includes drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex contracts (JVA, SHA, SPA, resolutions, consortium and partnership agreements, corporate finance instruments like notes and loan agreements) and subsidiary management

Legal Research and Analysis:


  • Assess and communicate the legal implications of legislative and regulatory changes to internal stakeholders and contribute to development of new offerings where these regulatory changes represent business opportunities for SP

Policy Advocacy:


  • Engage with and attend regular meetings set up by industry associations (IETA) to advocate for supportive regulatory frameworks
  • Co
llaborate with internal stakeholders to influence and shape environmental policies at local, national, and international levels through responses to request for public comments re: proposed legislation


Article 6 Contract Review:

Draft, review, and negotiate complex contracts, agreements, and legal documents pertaining to Article 6 carbon credit transactions and environmental projects including looking at risk matrices, term sheets, services agreements, credit insurance and analysing and mitigating government and jurisdiction risks and treaty compliance


Requirements:

Essential

  • Qualified lawyer in a common law jurisdiction with 5+ years of experience in private practice and inhouse roles.
  • Experience in emerging market jurisdictions.
  • Strong background in transactional and/ or regulatory law, with excellent communication and analytical skills.
  • Self learner who is able to handle a fast changing environment and a wide variety of legal practice areas.
  • Experience in corporate governance, M&A, and divestments or other transactional work (finance/ commodity trading/ project development) is desirable
  • Knowledge of or strong interest in the climate, sustainability, energy, and infrastructure or commodities industry.
  • Sound judgement, high integrity, and a commitment to ethical conduct.
  • Ability to handle senior stakeholders maturely and work collaboratively in a multicultural team environment.
  • A good feel for regulatory frameworks, quick retention, and a healthy curiosity in climate action and carbon markets.
  • Experi
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