The Legal Counsel role will assist and support the Senior Legal Counsel in legal drafting, legal negotiation, and management of contract documents for Lafarge Africa Plc, Ashakacem Limited, Wapsila Limited, Geocycle operations, Readymix operations, and Mortar operations. This role will work closely with and support multiple members of the Legal, Commercial, Procurement, Industrial, Finance/Treasury, Project Management, and Logistics teams among others.
Your Job Description
What you'll be doing
Develop standard templates for contracts, including payment terms, general terms, and conditions.
Review, revise, and update Contract Drafting and Execution Policies to align with the Delegation of Authority and Group Standards and Policies.
Review, draft, negotiate, and close commercial and procurement contracts, including Master Service Agreements, Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracts, Power Purchase Agreements, and related agreements.
Oversee drafting and negotiation of contractual terms with third-party suppliers to protect the Company from commercial and contractual risks, including strategy development, risk analysis and mitigation, internal reviews, and liaison with subject-matter experts.
Stay abreast of legal developments affecting the company, its clients, and relevant industries, and synthesize insights for application to company transactions.
Educate company executives on legal and risk management issues relating to contract documentation.
Structure third-party transactions to ensure the most advantageous legal and business outcomes for the company.
Provide counsel and advice to company executives through accurate interpretation of contract documents and business facts.
Manage and update the Document Management System, maintaining the contract execution process registry for all business contracts.
Deliver practical, business-oriented legal and commercial contract advisory support to internal stakeholders.
Apply innovative problem-solving skills and sound business judgment to minimize risk exposure.
Collaborate across legal, finance, procurement, and other business teams to facilitate cross-functional decision-making.
Develop, evaluate, and negotiate agreements including NDAs, consulting, service, consignment, terms & conditions, and other commercial contracts.
Ensure consistency of contract terms with company policies, regulatory requirements, and strategic objectives.
Review and expedite contracts from suppliers, customers, and third parties.
Develop contract strategies for projects and ensure procurement and administration policies comply with applicable regulations.
Manage assigned contract projects through full lifecycle completion.
Conduct contract strategy meetings to identify issues, define client requirements, gather end-user inputs on commercial terms, and confirm timelines and deliverables.
Provide oversight of contract management processes, including standards development and document retention governance.
Oversee organizational contract development activities and enforce principles of integrity and compliance.
Ensure all contracts and proposals are accurately recorded in organizational systems and securely maintained.
Review contract documents to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of contract text and attachments.
Develop and maintain an integrated Contract Drafting Policy aligned with procurement contracting processes.
Promote ownership, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in the contract drafting process.
Standardize all contract templates and communicate updates or variations driven by legal requirements, regulatory changes, or contract claims.
Establish and enforce contract document controls and compliance with contracting policies.
Ensure timely delivery of contract templates and drafting services.
Maintain the Contracts and Advance Payment Guarantee database.
Update and manage the Contract Master Data Sheet to monitor drafting and execution progress.
The Job Requirements
What We Are Looking For
Degree in Law; a Master’s degree is an added advantage.
Minimum of 5 years’ post-bar work experience, including at least 3 years in a top-tier commercial law firm.
Experience working in a fast-paced, fluid, and collegial corporate culture.
Experience negotiating commercial and complex contracts.
Proven ability to handle and close commercial and legal negotiations.
Demonstrated success working in a high-performing, results-driven business environment.
Ability to draft and close commercial agreements with minimal support from senior staff.
Ability to think and decide quickly and communicate legal issues and solutions clearly and concisely.
Strong prioritization and excellent time management skills.