Legal Counsel

Main Functions and Responsibilities

1. Legal Advisory: Provide legal advice and guidance to management and business units on corporate, commercial, contractual, and regulatory matters.

2. Contract Management: Draft, review, negotiate, and interpret contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and other legal documents.

3. Legal Compliance: Ensure the organisation complies with applicable laws, regulations, statutory requirements, and internal policies.

4. Litigation Management: Coordinate litigation, dispute resolution, and engagement with external solicitors and legal representatives.

5. Corporate Governance: Support the implementation of sound corporate governance practices and advise on directors’ and management’s legal obligations.

6. Risk Management: Identify potential legal risks and recommend appropriate measures to minimise exposure to litigation, financial losses, and regulatory penalties.

7. Regulatory Liaison: Liaise with regulatory authorities, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders on legal and compliance matters.

8. Legal Research: Conduct legal research and prepare opinions, reports, and recommendations to support business decisions.

9. Claims and Dispute Resolution: Handle legal claims, contractual disputes, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution processes.

10. Document Management: Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date legal records, contracts, case files, and corporate documentation.

11. Policy Development: Review and assist in developing internal policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure legal compliance.

12. External Counsel Coordination: Manage relationships with external law firms and monitor the quality, timelines, and cost of legal services.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree from a recognised university.

• Call to the Nigerian Bar and possession of a valid qualifying certificate to practise as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

• A Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree or relevant professional certification is an added advantage.

• A minimum of 5–8 years of relevant post-call legal experience, preferably in a corporate, commercial, or in-house legal environment. The experience requirement can be adjusted to the organisation's needs.

• Experience in contract drafting, negotiation, corporate law, legal compliance, and dispute resolution.

• Knowledge of Nigerian legislation, regulatory frameworks, and corporate governance requirements.

• Experience in the oil and gas, energy, engineering, or other regulated industries is an advantage, particularly for an energy-sector organisation.