Legal Associate

Job Summary: 

We are looking for an exceptional lawyer (Associate level and above) with a pronounced entrepreneurial mindset, and a passion for climate and social impact in Africa. You will be working with a diverse team (10+ nationalities) of close-knit, passionate individuals in an exciting and dynamic environment.  Ideally, you should have at least 6+ years’ legal experience in VC, private capital, energy, and/or corporate transactions.  The role will primarily be linked to Persistent direct investments, focused on our $70M Africa Climate Venture Builder (“ACV”) Fund. You will also be required to work on all legal aspects of Persistent’s business, including our investments, Venture Building, advisory work and fund management. Be ready to roll up your sleeves to venture build our portfolio companies in legal, compliance and environmental social and governance (ESG) aspects and work with them to achieve impact and scalability.

Key Responsibilities: 

Persistent corporate and business operations:

• Work on the legal aspects of Persistent’s business operations, tax analysis, fund structuring and management, capital raising and borrowing.
• Work on the legal aspects of Persistent’s investments in and relationships with its partner companies, including legal due diligence, tax, negotiations and documentation. Most of Persistent’s legal work is done in-house.

Persistent partner companies:

• Guide, oversee and vet tax and legal structures of Persistent partner companies.
• Advise on and troubleshoot ongoing legal matters (issue spotting, assistance in retaining outside counsel where appropriate and assistance in supervision of outside counsel) for Persistent partner companies.
• Act as legal and business advisor for partner companies under Service Level Agreements, including negotiating complex financings, securitizations, investments,  acquisitions and insolvency restructurings, with appropriate technical assistance from outside legal counsel.

Requirements:

• Passion for our mission and a pronounced entrepreneurial mindset to enable companies in emerging markets to positively impact the climate and lives as they grow and scale.
• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Master of Laws degree (LL.M) and a licence to practise in a leading African or international jurisdiction.
• Over 6 years’ post-bar experience practising law (Associate level and above) and demonstrated legal experience in several of the following categories:
  • Early stage venture capital or private equity experience.
  • Closed-ended fund management, fund investment and other fund legal matters (GP/LP) including ILPA model documentation.
  • Advisory experience in the climate sector such as  the energy transition (offgrid solar, e-mobility, PUE, energy efficiency), the resource transition (circular economy and waste management), or the agricultural transition (agtech).
  • Experience in legal due diligence (DD).
  • Experience in general corporate law; and mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy and insolvency law and international tax law experience.
  • Must have the ability to lead and run deals.
  • Must have experience managing transactions (including managing work in internal teams and third party service providers).
• A practical, problem solving approach to practising law, able to weigh risks and propose practical solutions, not simply point out obstacles.
• Building relationships and representing: You are able to build trustful relationships with peers, key partners and stakeholders on the ground.
• You are a team player with an analytical mindset and strong problem-solving abilities.
• Location & Travel: You are based in Africa (preferably can legally live and work in Nigeria) and are able to travel to partner companies and the Persistent team.

How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply using the Employer's Link 

Step in with confidence, speak with clarity, and let your excellence shine through. We’re rooting for you every step of the way, go make it happen! 🚀 – The Thrive Team