LEGAL DIRECTOR

Position Purpose
We are seeking a dynamic, commercially minded Legal Director with strong experience in renewable energy and energy transition projects, to join our growing legal team in Dubai and our South Africa office based in Johannesburg. The ideal candidate will support AMEA Power s growing portfolio across project development, construction, and financing, particularly in emerging markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The Legal Director will work closely with the business development, construction, and finance teams, providing legal leadership on complex renewable energy projects from inception through to operation
Responsibilities
• Provide end-to-end legal support on renewable energy and energy transition projects (solar, wind, battery storage, green hydrogen, etc.)
• Advise on project structuring, risk allocation, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on a wide range of project-related agreements, including
• Power Purchase Agreements, Engineering, Procurement & Construction Contracts and Operation & Maintenance Agreements. Experience of finance documents is also advantageous.
• Draft, negotiate and advice on preliminary project documentation including Joint Development Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Powers of Attorney and other ancillary documents including legal letters and notices.
• Draft and negotiate general contractual documentation including the provision of legal advice on the same including with respect to potential liabilities / exposures, warranties, indemnities, and other key terms and conditions.
• Draft and review board, shareholder resolutions and assist in corporate organisation and restructurings.
• Support project finance transactions, including liaising with lenders, DFIs, and co-developers
• Navigate legal complexities in emerging markets, with an ability to tailor risk analysis and contractual structures accordingly
• Work with local counsel and stakeholders across legal, regulatory, environmental, and permitting matters.
• Supporting the compliance function by helping to develop and ensure that a good system of corporate governance is in place and adhered to (e.g. contract approvals procedure, authority/signing matrix, and internal policies and procedures are up-to-date and staff receive appropriate training with regards to the same).
• Put in place standard contract templates and ensure staff know how to use them.
• Develop and maintain a precedent database of documentation
• Conduct legal research and educate and advise business units as and when required.
• Make recommendations with regards to seeking external legal advice, draft and negotiate terms of legal engagement (scope and fees), liaise with external counsel as and when required.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Experience
• Minimum 8 year s relevant experience in private practice and/or in-house (sector, industry, region)
• In-house legal experience
• Bachelor s degree minimum
• Legal practical training course/JD/LLB
• Trained at top tier international law firm (or equivalent legal department)
• Admitted to practice law in a primary legal jurisdiction (e.g. UK, Australia, USA)
Required Skills
• MS Office Suite
• Written and oral communication