Legal Advisor

Core Purpose of the Role

To provide in-house legal drafting, review, and advisory support that enables compliant, commercially sound decision-making, while ensuring disciplined legal risk identification and consistent contract quality across Solar Africa’s operations.

The Legal Advisor will report directly to the Head of Legal. Should a Senior Legal Advisor position be established, the role will then report to the Senior Legal Advisor.

• Draft, review, and support negotiation of commercial and project agreements, including NDAs, MoUs, supplier and service agreements, leases, and first-pass reviews of EPC, O and M, and PPA-adjacent documentation.
• Prepare and issue contractual correspondence, including letters of demand, notices, and responses.
• Support contract renewals, amendments, and variations from a legal review perspective.

• Advise internal stakeholders on key contractual terms, legal implications, and risk exposure arising from tenders, supplier contracts, customer agreements, and project documentation.
• Analyse contracts pre-award, identify legal and commercial risks, and provide clear, practical recommendations.
• Support contract strategy discussions by assessing legal risk associated with available options and proposed approaches.

• Participate in and support procurement processes, including RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs, from a legal and governance perspective.
• Provide legal input into bid documentation, deviation schedules, and contracting strategies.
• Support preparation for contract negotiations and work alongside commercial leads as required.

• Support and advise on day-to-day post-signature contract management matters, working in coordination with Contracts Managers responsible for project execution and administration.
• Provide legal advice on contractual interpretation, rights and remedies, review of notices and correspondence, variations, claims, and dispute escalation.
• Support the management of contractual disputes, claims, and compensation events, including matters referred to arbitration or court.
• Prepare legal positions, correspondence, and supporting documentation for dispute resolution proceedings.
• Coordinate with and manage external legal consultants and counsel, including briefing, document preparation, progress tracking, and cost monitoring.

• Maintain legal templates, clause standards, and precedent documents.
• Support consistent naming, filing, and document-control standards for legal agreements and dispute-related documentation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable statutory and internal governance requirements in the contractual context.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of legal policies, procedures, and compliance guidance.
• Provide regular updates on assigned legal matters, risks, disputes, and turnaround times.
• Any other job duties associated with this role.

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience in a legal or commercial legal advisory role
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating commercial contracts
• Knowledge of contract law, procurement processes, and dispute resolution
• Experience coordinating with external legal advisors
• LLB or equivalent law degree.

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, and sound judgement.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to balance legal risk with business objectives.
• Excellent attention to detail with a structured and organised approach to work.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Experience with in the renewable energy, infrastructure, or project-based sectors.
• Proven ability to provide practical, commercially balanced legal advice to non-legal stakeholders.
• Awareness of legal, regulatory, and market developments relevant to the business environment.

• Adaptability
• Communication & Influence
• Leadership