Project Attorney - Implementation
Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Full Time
CrossBoundary Energy
Mid Level
Project Attorney - Implementation
CrossBoundary - Energy Platform
About the Firm
CrossBoundary Energy develops, owns, and operates distributed renewable energy solutions for businesses, offering cheaper and cleaner energy through power purchase and lease agreements. With a secured portfolio exceeding $710M, the company boasts over 500MW of solar PV and wind generation, approximately 600MWh of battery energy storage, and around 50MW of enabling thermal generation assets. Their clients include industry leaders like Rio Tinto, Unilever, Diageo, Heineken, and Devki Group.
The diverse portfolio features large-scale renewable-led hybrid power plants for mines, rooftop and ground-mount solar PV plants for industrial clients, and distributed solar PV and battery power solutions for telecommunications sites. As a member of the CrossBoundary Group, founded in 2011, CrossBoundary Energy is dedicated to unlocking the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. Learn more at www.crossboundaryenergy.com.
Job Description
CrossBoundary is recruiting a full-time project lawyer to join the legal team and support the successful implementation of distributed renewable energy projects across Africa. The role will focus on managing legal risk and providing practical, hands-on legal support during the construction and implementation phases of projects, helping to drive projects to completion and commercial operation.
The successful candidate will work closely with chief counsel, chief legal officer and cross-functional teams to support project execution, including reviewing and managing contract compliance, managing variations and claims, and advising on legal issues that arise during project lifecycles. This role will also involve structuring, drafting, and negotiating project documentation.
The role requires close engagement with internal teams including project development, engineering, commercial, and operations, as well as external stakeholders such as contractors, lenders, and advisors.
Who We Are
CrossBoundary operates in underserved markets that also hold immense investment opportunities. The chosen candidate will play an important role in a unique, talented and commercially oriented team of highly experienced lawyers who have joined from leading international law firms. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a large impact on the renewable energy landscape in Africa and beyond and will have integral involvement with the globally expanding CrossBoundary Group. Our Team members come from diverse backgrounds, but share a number of qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.
CrossBoundary - Energy Platform
About the Firm
CrossBoundary Energy develops, owns, and operates distributed renewable energy solutions for businesses, offering cheaper and cleaner energy through power purchase and lease agreements. With a secured portfolio exceeding $710M, the company boasts over 500MW of solar PV and wind generation, approximately 600MWh of battery energy storage, and around 50MW of enabling thermal generation assets. Their clients include industry leaders like Rio Tinto, Unilever, Diageo, Heineken, and Devki Group.
The diverse portfolio features large-scale renewable-led hybrid power plants for mines, rooftop and ground-mount solar PV plants for industrial clients, and distributed solar PV and battery power solutions for telecommunications sites. As a member of the CrossBoundary Group, founded in 2011, CrossBoundary Energy is dedicated to unlocking the power of capital for sustainable growth and strong returns in underserved markets. Learn more at www.crossboundaryenergy.com.
Job Description
CrossBoundary is recruiting a full-time project lawyer to join the legal team and support the successful implementation of distributed renewable energy projects across Africa. The role will focus on managing legal risk and providing practical, hands-on legal support during the construction and implementation phases of projects, helping to drive projects to completion and commercial operation.
The successful candidate will work closely with chief counsel, chief legal officer and cross-functional teams to support project execution, including reviewing and managing contract compliance, managing variations and claims, and advising on legal issues that arise during project lifecycles. This role will also involve structuring, drafting, and negotiating project documentation.
The role requires close engagement with internal teams including project development, engineering, commercial, and operations, as well as external stakeholders such as contractors, lenders, and advisors.
Who We Are
CrossBoundary operates in underserved markets that also hold immense investment opportunities. The chosen candidate will play an important role in a unique, talented and commercially oriented team of highly experienced lawyers who have joined from leading international law firms. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a large impact on the renewable energy landscape in Africa and beyond and will have integral involvement with the globally expanding CrossBoundary Group. Our Team members come from diverse backgrounds, but share a number of qualities: curiosity, humility, integrity, a drive for excellence, and a bias for action.
Who You Are
- Self-starter who is passionate about creating lasting change in developing markets
- A practical thinker known for choosing the simple, robust solutions where more complicated approaches would deliver the same results
- Legal expert within a commercially minded, solution-oriented team
- Experienced in identifying and managing risks across project implementation, including in EPC, O&M, PPA, and financing agreements, and comfortable navigating contract execution, variations, and claims during the construction and commissioning phases
- A patient puzzle-solver; you have the composure and skill to approach a problem from many angles over time until you can unlock a solution. You persevere and find a way
- Networker skilled at building and maintaining professional relationships across countries, personalities, and the political spectrum to achieve positive impact
- Ethical and highly-principled; knowledgeable about the most rigorous international standards for ethical relations with government, which you exemplify in all situations
- A systematic and highly-organized lawyer; takes personal accountability for tracking numerous activities across workstreams and driving them all to successful conclusion
- Keen understanding of what drives key stakeholder decisions
- Effective in a fast-moving and complex environment
- Well organized, systematic, and calm under pressure
Primary Responsibilities
- Assist in reviewing, drafting and negotiating key project documents for CBE projects in our expanding markets
- Ensure legal compliance of project agreements in the numerous countries in which CrossBoundary is present or has project interests
- Advise internal teams on strategic and contractual matters
- Update and improve precedent agreements over time, as appropriate
- Provide practical legal support throughout the construction and implementation phases of projects, including advising on contract interpretation, and managing variations, claims, and delays
- Monitor and manage compliance with project agreements during the execution period across jurisdictions
- Collaborate with outside counsel (as required) on specific projects
- Work autonomously to identify, prioritize, and address commercial, regulatory and legislative hurdles across jurisdictions
- Support project teams in resolving legal issues arising during construction and operation of projects
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and qualifications:- 2+ years’ post admission experience in a premier law firm and/or an in-house legal department
- Experience with PPAs, EPC contracts, O&M agreements and construction-phase legal support for renewable energy projects
- Familiarity with managing contract implementation, including advising on variations, claims, compliance monitoring, and contractor interface issues during construction and commissioning
- Experience with project structuring, and the development of renewable energy facilities in emerging markets
Required skills and qualifications
- 2+ years’ post-admission experience in a premier law firm and/or an in-house legal department focused on energy projects
- Experience working on PPAs, EPC contracts, O&M agreements and other project documents
- Demonstrated experience supporting legal aspects of project implementation, including managing contract execution, variations, claims, and compliance during the construction and commissioning phases
- Experience with projects in multiple jurisdictions across Africa
- Good understanding of project finance concepts and structures
- Proficiency in corporate compliance
- Law degree with strong academic credentials from an accredited university
- Bar admission
- Fluency in the English language, additionally French language skills would be a benefit
- Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
Think you have what it takes but are not sure you check every box? Research shows that while men apply to roles when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women often only apply when they meet every requirement. If you're passionate about what we're building, we want to hear from you!
Location / Travel
The successful candidate would be based in Cape Town, South Africa or Nairobi, Kenya. The position will require international travel.
Equal Opportunity Employer
CrossBoundary is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to [email protected]
Contact
Interested candidates should apply at https://www.crossboundary.com/careers/.
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