Job Title:
Legal Assistant – Corporate and Regulatory Compliance
Sector:
Energy Trading
Location:
Lusaka-Zambia
A. About GreenCo Power Service Limited (GreenCo)
GreenCo acts as an intermediary offtaker and service provider, purchasing power from renewable IPPs and selling that electricity to utilities and private sector offtakers (i.e. commercial and industrial users) and markets of the SAPP. Through its activities, GreenCo will increase the supply of, and demand for, finance for energy projects, and mobilise private sector capital more quickly towards critical and transformative capacity addition.
GreenCo's vision is to lead innovation and sustainably transform renewable energy markets. This will be achieved through:
- Forward-looking approach to the deeper integration of power markets to unlock investment in renewable energy generation capacity.
- Focusing on creating impact through innovative new solutions in the energy sector.
- Fostering an agile start-up culture with a focus on individual responsibility and personal impact.
GreenCo is headquartered in Lusaka, but its parent company is incorporated in the UK and it has sister companies which are incorporated in and licensed to trade electricity in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Lusaka acts as a centre of excellence and expertise for the regional business.
GreenCo offers an excellent, dynamic, and exciting work environment for the right candidate with significant potential for further personal development and career advancement.
B. The Role in Context
Overview
The Legal Assistant will provide administrative and legal support to the corporate legal team, with a primary focus on regulatory compliance in the energy trading sector. This role will require the ability to handle various tasks across multiple jurisdictions, particularly supporting the company’s compliance with law, energy regulations, licence conditions, corporate governance, and internal policies. The Legal Assistant will be instrumental in maintaining legal documentation, researching regulations, assisting with filings, and coordinating with various internal and external stakeholders.
Key Deliverables
1. Regulatory Compliance & Governance
- Assist in ensuring each group company’s compliance with local regulatory requirements.
- Monitor and track regulatory changes, assess their impact, and update compliance records accordingly.
- Maintain and update the compliance tracking system to ensure all compliance matters are captured and remain up to date.
- Monitor compliance deadlines, ensuring relevant stakeholders are informed of upcoming actions and requirements.
- Compile reports in accordance with corporate policies and regulatory guidelines.
- File statutory compliance documentation with regulatory agencies such as the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), the Energy Regulation Board (ERB), local authorities, and other statutory bodies as required.
- Support other group companies in meeting local compliance requirements and report on regulatory matters affecting global operations.
- Assist in internal audits and compliance training initiatives.
2. Legal Research & Advisory
- Conduct legal and regulatory research on energy trading laws, market regulations, corporate governance, investment protection, and environmental legislation in Zambia and other jurisdictions where the GreenCo group operates or intends to operate.
- Summarize research findings and provide legal input to support corporate decision-making.
- Review and comment on draft legislation and regulation.
- Review new legislation and assess its impact on company operations.
3. Document Preparation, Contract Management & KYC Compliance
- Draft, review, and maintain legal documents, including contracts, non-disclosure agreements, policies, and compliance reports.
- Ensure proper filing, organization, and retrieval of legal and corporate records.
- Assist in the review and tracking of commercial agreements and other contractual documents related to energy trading and corporate operations.
- Assist with know-your-customer (KYC) and due diligence documentation requests from counterparties by providing necessary corporate documents and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Review KYC and due diligence documentation received from counterparties to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal and external regulatory standards.
4. Internal & External Coordination
- Liaise with internal departments to gather relevant information for compliance and legal matters.
- Coordinate with external company secretaries and statutory bodies for filings and compliance-related activities.
- Facilitate and attend meetings, prepare presentations, and report on key regulatory and compliance issues.
- Any other tasks as may be assigned by and agreed with the supervising manager.
C. Qualifications and Requirements
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong understanding of legal processes and procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with great attention to detail.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with legal research tools.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional and multicultural team in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Proactive and self-motivated with a keen interest in regulatory compliance and corporate governance.
- Experience with international legal systems and working across different jurisdictions is an advantage.
Education, Experience, & Licensing Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized university.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience as a legal assistant, paralegal, or in a similar role within a corporate or regulatory compliance department, preferably in the energy industry.
- Knowledge of energy regulations and corporate governance laws and regulations is an advantage.
D. Application Requirements
Candidates must submit the following documents:
1. CV
2. Cover Letter addressing:
- Why you are interested in joining Africa GreenCo.
- What unique skills, experiences, and perspectives you can contribute to the organization.
Both documents are required for the application to be considered.
E. Time Commitment
This is a full-time role. While the standard working week is 40 hours, the ideal candidate must be willing to travel and work flexible hours to achieve GreenCo’s business objectives.
F. Conflict of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest must be declared and discussed prior to this appointment.