Legal Counsel

**Position**: Legal Counsel (Mining & Infrastructure)
**Location**: Singapore (with potential travel to West Africa and UAE)
**Reporting to**: CEO / Board
**Direct Reports**: None (standalone legal function)

**Role Overview**

You will act as a senior legal advisor to the executive and commercial teams, taking ownership of all legal matters for our licensing, exploration, acquisition for mining, and projects across West Africa. This is a leadership role, balancing hands-on legal work — including drafting contracts, employment agreements, and compliance documents — with strategic advisory work, stakeholder management, dispute oversight, and engaging with external counsel.

This is a unique opportunity for a lawyer who enjoys autonomy, wants to work close to the business, and is comfortable managing a wide range of legal issues from start to finish.

**Key Responsibilities**

**1. Strategic Legal Advisory**
- Provide senior-level legal advice on EPC, PPP, mining concession agreements, joint ventures, and project development contracts.
- Ensure legal compliance across all jurisdictions (West Africa, UAE, Singapore etc) and advise management on regulatory risks.
- Partner with C-suite to shape risk management, ESG compliance, and governance frameworks that support business growth.

**2. High-Value Contract Negotiation & Drafting**
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts critical to mining and exploration activities, including offtake agreements, supply chain, logistics, and shipping charters.
- Review and interpret complex multi-jurisdictional agreements (English, Mandarin, French) and advise on enforceability and risk mitigation.
- Maintain internal templates and contract management processes.

**3. Dispute & Litigation Oversight**
- Manage disputes, litigation, and arbitration with governments, partners, and suppliers, including expropriation, corporate, fiscal, and employment disputes.
- Develop and implement proactive dispute-avoidance and early resolution strategies.
- Liaise with and manage external counsel to ensure efficient and cost-effective case handling.

**4. Corporate Governance & Regulatory Compliance**
- Oversee corporate governance matters including board resolutions, shareholder agreements, and regulatory filings.
- Lead compliance programs covering anti-bribery, anti-corruption, sanctions, ESG, and data protection.
- Conduct training for commercial and operational teams to build compliance awareness.

**5. Stakeholder Engagement**
- Represent the company in negotiations with regulators, state entities, joint venture partners, and suppliers.
- Travel to West Africa to provide on-site legal support, participate in stakeholder meetings, and understand operational realities.

**6. Day-to-Day Legal Operations**
- Draft and review employment contracts, consultancy agreements, NDAs, and internal policies.
- Provide general corporate and HR legal advice, ensuring compliance with labor laws and employment regulations.
- Support finance, procurement, and operations teams with ad hoc legal queries.

**Qualifications & Experience**
- 7-15+ years PQE, qualified lawyer in a common law jurisdiction (dual qualification preferred).
- Significant experience in mining, projects across Africa or Asia.
- Strong hands-on contract drafting skills and ability to manage complex negotiations independently.
- Experience managing disputes and external counsel across multiple jurisdictions.
- Fluent in English and Mandarin (for contract negotiation and review); French is an advantage.
- Commercially pragmatic, solutions-oriented, and willing to travel frequently to project locations.

Pay: $11,000.00 - $20,000.00 per month

**Benefits**:

- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Parental leave
- Work from home

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Singapore 179097