Legal Advisor - Commercial

Job category: Banking, Finance, Insurance.

Contract: Permanent

Remuneration: Market Related

EE position: Yes

Introduction: To provide sound legal support to NEF as part of the deal structuring team.

To fulfill all statutory, reporting, and legal advisory services in accordance with business requirements as well as provide legal solutions that minimize risk for transactions like franchise, contract finance, etc.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide prompt and sound legal advice and support to the NEF, particularly the Fund Management Division.
2. Be part of the investment team and consult regularly with the team on proposed structures and developments and legal implications thereof.
3. Attend due diligence assessments relating to NEF's investments.
4. Identify legal risks and recommend mitigation methods for the risks relating to NEF's investments.
5. Provide legal input to submission papers prepared for Investment Committee(s).
6. Draft, vet, and negotiate a range of commercial agreements e.g. loan agreements, sale of shares, sale of business, security documents, etc., in line with NEF's funding terms and conditions.
7. Ensure agreements are legally accurate and in accordance with the term sheet and Investment Committee approval.
8. Ensure agreements are in line with the latest legal developments.
9. Manage costs/budget for work carried out externally.

Qualification Requirements:

1. LLB – admitted attorney with at least 3 years post-article experience.
2. At least 3 – 5 years job-related corporate and commercial law and banking and finance principles.
3. Working knowledge of various computer programs including PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
4. In-depth knowledge of laws and legal processes in respect of NEF core business (primarily relating to Corporate Finance, Structured Finance, and Investment Banking).
5. Working knowledge of other areas of law e.g. Tax, Companies Act, Insolvency, Labour Law.
6. Experience in legal due diligence.
7. Working knowledge of finance.

Experience / Skills Required:

1. Ability to work on your own and within a team.
2. Ability to work on own initiative.
3. Strong interpersonal skills.
4. Highly effective communication skills – both written and verbal.
5. Articulate and detail conscious.
6. Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
7. Professional and courteous to all clients (internal and external).
8. Accuracy in preparing legal documentation.
9. Ability to advise on legal issues related to NEF business.
10. Ability to convey legal opinion and argue legally.

Personal Attributes / Behaviours / Attitudes: