Senior Legal Advisor - Commercial
Listing reference: nef_000045
Listing status: Under Review
Apply by: 18 April 2024
Position summary
Industry: Financial Services
Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance. Stockbroking
Location: Sandton
Contract: Permanent
Remuneration: Market Related
EE position: Yes
Introduction
The National Empowerment Fund is looking for a Senior Legal Advisor - Commercial to join our Legal Services team.
Job description
To provide general legal support to NEF as part of the deal structuring team. Furthermore, fulfil all statutory, reporting and legal advisory services in accordance with business requirements as well as to provide legal solutions that minimize risk for all complex transactions like acquisitions and green-fields projects.
Deal management
- Analyse the commercial aspects of the transaction.
- Draft, vet and negotiate a range of commercial agreements e.g. term sheets, 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 as approved by the Investment Committee.
- Ensure agreements are compliant with latest legal developments.
- Provide prompt and sound legal advice and support to NEF in particular the Fund Management Division.
- Consult regularly with team on proposed structures, developments and legal implications thereof.
Due Diligence
- Attend due diligence assessments relating to NEF’s investments.
- Conduct due diligence on transactions to support investment teams.
- Negotiate for deals Committee(s).
- Provide legal input to submission papers prepared for Investment Committee(s).
- Participate in Committees as requested.
- Conduct presentations as part of the deal team.
Quality Assurance
- Build understanding of legal issues, risks and obligations through advice, communications and training for clients.
- Give input to ensure appropriate legal policies and practices are in place to manage the legal obligations and legal risks of the department effectively.
- Manage costs/budget for work carried out externally and legal costs of litigation.
- Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation methods for the risks relating to NEF’s investments.
People management
- Monitor progress on work done by legal advisors.
- Checking and supervising other legal advisors’ agreement(s).
- Providing skills transfer and mentoring other legal advisors.
Ad Hoc
- Ensure legal seminars and or workshops are held.
- Conduct ad-hoc activities as allocated by General Counsel and/or Legal Services Manager and Principal.
Minimum requirements
Qualifications
- LLB degree
- Post graduate financial qualification an added advantage
- Admitted Attorney
Experience / Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years’ post articles experience in similar environment i.e. Private equity, Corporate finance, Management Consulting etc.
- General litigation experience.
- Experience in securities law; and/or
- Experience in insolvency law; and/or
- Solid experience in commercial law; and/or
- Proven working knowledge of Company law, Tax law and NCR
- Experience in legal due diligence.
- Working knowledge of finance.
- Experience in mergers and acquisitions is advantageous.
- In depth knowledge of laws and legal processes in respect of NEF core business (primarily relating to Corporate Finance, Structured Finance and Investment Banking).
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proven experience in negotiations.
- Ability to engage at all levels.
- Strong decision making and problem-solving skills.
- Legal drafting skills.
- Professional and courteous to all clients (internal and external).
- Accuracy in preparing legal documentation.
- Presentation skills.
- Drafting skills.
Personal Attributes / Behaviours / Attitudes
- High leadership qualities and teamwork,
- Strong sense of initiative and self-motivated,
- Strong communication skills,
- Efficient presentation skills,
- High sense of analysis, attention to detail and judgement,
- Integrity
- Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking
- Anticipating and Managing Change
- Business insight and Risk Awareness
- Interpersonal Agility
- Resilience and Stress Management
- Rule Orientation