Legal Counsel (Lome, Togo)

Department: Finance & Legal

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Togo

Reporting To: Senior Manager, Legal

Description

What you would be expected to do

• Participate and contribute to cross functional projects and initiatives to minimize legal risks and ensure achievement of the business goals.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and implement preventive measures.
• Ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Monitor changes in legislation and regulations, adapting the company’s policies and procedures accordingly.

• Handle legal due diligence by investors and their advisors.
• Ensure completion of all conditions related to funding (both pre-and-post) in a timely manner and handle periodic reporting/compliances related to legal.
• Develop standard templates used frequently in fundraising, like NDAs, term sheets, ESG policy matters, standards disclosures, etc.

• Register, protect, and manage the company’s intellectual property rights, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights
• Handle proprietary  property disputes and licensing arrangements.

• Oversee the drafting, review, and negotiation of contracts, and legal documents
• Provide guidance on contract terms and ensure that they are in the company’s best interest.
• Ensure any and all obligations with respect to ESG are reflected in customer and supplier contracts to the extent applicable.
• Manage contract disputes and resolutions as necessary.

• Manage and oversee litigation and legal proceedings involving the company.
• Work with external legal counsel when necessary.
• Seek cost-effective solutions and negotiate settlements where possible.

• Ensure that the company operates in compliance with corporate governance Standards.

• Maintain knowledge of industry-specific regulations and compliance requirements.
• Establish relationships with relevant regulatory agencies and oversee regulatory submissions as needed.

• Create and develop a roster of preferred attorneys and law firms across geographies for various activities listed above.
• Provide legal advice and guidance to various departments within the company
• Develop and deliver legal training and education programs to enhance legal awareness throughout the organization.

You might be a strong candidate if you

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong background in corporate law, commercial transactions, and litigation.
• Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognised institution, with professional qualification and admission to the Bar in a relevant Francophone jurisdiction.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with government enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and regulatory bodies within a Francophone market.
• Sound knowledge of local corporate laws, regulatory frameworks, and business compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with international fundraising and financing documentation standards, including NVCA and LMA frameworks, and their applicability to the local legal environment.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, negotiation, and dispute-resolution skills.
• Ability to interpret complex legal matters, assess risks, and provide practical, business-oriented legal solutions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French, with proficiency in English considered an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with internal teams, external counsel, government agencies, and business partners.

What Sun King Offers

• Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry
• An open-minded, collaborative culture made up of enthusiastic colleagues who are driven by the challenge of innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet.
• A truly multicultural experience: you will have the chance to work with and learn from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds.
• Structured, tailored learning and development programs that help you become a better leader, manager, and professional through the Sun Center for Leadership.