Experienced Associate (Finance and Projects – Energy & Natural Resources)

Overview

Job Type: Full Time

Location: Lagos

Job Field: Law / Legal

Qualification: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), Call to the Nigerian Bar (B.L) minimum; Master of Laws (LL.M) is an added advantage.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in providing, providing legal advisory services to public and private sector clients, managing complex finance, mergers & acquisitions, and project finance transactions within the energy and natural resources sectors.

Job Responsibilities

Research

• Conduct legal research using laws, policies, regulations, new developments (domestic and international) relating to the core areas of the department;
• Identifying legal principles and issues arising from facts/instructions;
• Ability to conduct effective legal research on any area of the law;
• Ability to understand legal instructions, critically analyse issues for determination and provide a preliminary response to client requests in sectors the team advise

Legal Advisory and Transactional Support

• Provide strategic and tailored legal advice on finance, mergers & acquisitions, project finance, energy (oil & gas, power), and natural resources matters.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including joint venture agreements, power purchase agreements, loan agreements, security documents, and construction contracts.
• Advise on transaction structures, risk allocation, and regulatory compliance for project finance and energy-related projects.
• Manage and coordinate legal due diligence processes, preparing comprehensive due diligence reports and issues memos.
• Handle cross-border transactions and coordinate with local and international counsel.

Drafting and Review of Legal Documents

• Must be able to effectively understand, analyse and interpret client instructions into a final Memo/Opinion;
• Must be able to present and meet with senior level officials in both public and private institutions;
• Must be able to demonstrate working knowledge of Finance, Mergers and Acquisition transactions.
• Drafting and/or review of agreements and other transaction documents related to finance in the public and private sectors;
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating agreements demonstrates knowledge of corporate and contract law, partnership, and regulatory obligations such as statutory returns, filings, licensing, taxes, and property rights and applying these effectively in client advisory or transactions.
• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating loan and associated security documents, trust deed, power purchase, and other project related agreements.

Due Diligence

• Prepare all relevant documents and paperwork necessary to coordinate the due diligence exercise;
• Perform due diligence exercises and assist with queries and enquiries from the due diligence team with limited supervision;
• Review all documents and information in physical and electronic data room;
• Ability to navigate physical and e-data rooms;
• Prepare a due diligence report or ‘Issues Memo’ for the client, based on information obtained from the data room.

Regulatory Compliance

• Monitor and advise clients on relevant changes in laws, regulations, and policies affecting the finance and energy sectors.
• Guide clients on regulatory obligations, including licensing, statutory filings, and corporate governance requirements.
• Provide advice on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in energy and natural resource projects.

 Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, serving as their trusted advisor.
• Represent clients in negotiations, regulatory hearings, and other key engagements.
• Actively participate in networking, industry events, and stakeholder forums to enhance the firm’s visibility.

Reports

• Prepare client bills and liaise with clients from time to time on outstanding bills and payments;
• Prepare other administrative reports as may be required from time to time.
• Prepare time sheet reports for client

 Meetings

• Attend client meetings with senior associates, prepare the file for the meetings and circulate minutes within 24hours of the meeting;
• Participating in negotiations and discussions with key stakeholders in the relevant sectors.
• Performing any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Personnel Specification

• Ability to efficiently manage high volumes of work.
• Excellent communication both written and verbal - the role involves liaison with internal and external people at a senior level, strong presentation skills.
• Ability to maintain confidence and business relationships.
• Great problem solving, listening, and learning skills and analytical thinking.
• Confident, energetic, articulate, and hardworking team player with a desire to excel and a passion for the work.
• Absolute command of Microsoft office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Evidence of interest in, and commitment to, the success of the firm.
• A self-starter, able to demonstrate high levels of initiative and motivation, but also work closely with other team members and displaying trust and loyalty.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks in an assertive, efficient, and timely manner.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, demonstrating professionalism in all dealings. Able to deal sympathetically and appropriately with clients and to show empathy with them.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Must be able to multitask and keep calm under pressure.
• The flexibility to work outside normal office hours as may be required from time-to-time.

 Rewards

• Competitive Pay
• Health Insurance
• Performance Bonuses
• Flexible Working
• Other Allowances