Head of Legal & Project Structuring (In-House Legal Head) at People FOCO

Objective


The Head of Legal & Project Structuring will serve as a strategic legal and commercial lead, responsible for overseeing all legal, contractual, and structuring aspects of the company's operations across EPC, EPCF, IPP, and cross-border infrastructure projects.
The role will ensure that all projects are legally sound, financially bankable, and commercially optimized, while protecting the interests of The Companies through robust contractual frameworks, risk mitigation strategies, and enforceable legal protections.


Key Responsibilities

Project Finance & Bankability


Lead the legal structuring of EPCF and IPP transactions from development to financial close.


Draft, review, and negotiate:


Power Purchase Agreements (PPA - Take-or-Pay / Take-and-Pay)
EPC, O&M, and supply contracts
Financing agreements (debt and equity)


Structure and enforce:


DSRA / ISRA mechanisms
Lender security packages (charges, guarantees, receivables)
Covenants aligned with project finance requirements
Support engagement with lenders, DFIs, and financial institutions to ensure bankability of projects.


Contractual Protection & Risk Mitigation

Develop and enforce strong legal protections including:


First Right of Refusal (FROR) on introduced opportunities
Exclusivity clauses linked to financial commitment milestones
Step-in rights in the event of counterparty default


Draft and implement:


Penalty and liquidated damages clauses
Payment security mechanisms


Protect the company from:


Developer non-performance
Payment delays and defaults
Unfavourable contractual exposure


Joint Ventures & Equity Structuring

Draft and negotiate:


Shareholders' Agreements
Joint Development Agreements (JDAs)
Investment and equity participation structures


Implement:


Anti-dilution protections
Governance and control rights
Exit and transfer mechanisms
Support structuring of SPVs for project development and investment.


Cross-Border Legal Structuring

Lead legal structuring across multiple jurisdictions including:


Africa-based project entities (SPVs)
Offshore holding structures (e.g., Mauritius / UAE)


Ensure:


Compliance with local laws and regulations
Tax-efficient structuring
Protection of capital flows and repatriation rights


Offtaker & Revenue Security

Structure and secure bankable offtake arrangements including:


Parent company guarantees
Letters of Credit (LCs) and SBLCs


Ensure revenue security through:


Robust PPA frameworks
Payment security structures acceptable to lenders


Dispute Resolution & Recovery

Lead all dispute resolution processes including:


Contract enforcement
Debt recovery strategies


Manage arbitration proceedings under:


LCIA, ICC, or UNCITRAL frameworks


Protect company interests in:


EPC payment disputes
JV conflicts
Breach of exclusivity or contractual obligations


Real Estate & Asset Transactions

Oversee legal aspects of:


Land acquisition for solar and infrastructure projects
Lease agreements and property transactions
Conduct title due diligence and ensure land bankability for financing.


Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

Ensure compliance with:


Energy regulations
Environmental and social requirements (ESIA)


Manage:


Generation licenses
Grid connection agreements
Government approvals across jurisdictions


Legal Governance & Internal Advisory


Develop standardized, bankable contract templates across the group.


Provide ongoing legal advisory to:


Board of Directors
Senior management
Business development and project teams


Conduct internal training on:


Legal risk management
Contract execution and compliance
Liaise with external legal counsel across jurisdictions.


Qualifications & Experience


Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) and admission to the Bar.


Minimum 10 years' experience in:


Project finance
Energy / infrastructure law
EPC and IPP transactions


Strong experience in:


Solar and power projects (C&I and utility-scale)
Cross-border transactions and structuring


Working knowledge of:


English law (preferred for contracts)
African regulatory frameworks


Experience engaging with:


DFIs (IFC, AfDB, etc.)
Commercial lenders and investors


Key Skills & Competencies


Strong commercial and legal negotiation skills
Deep understanding of project finance and bankability requirements
Ability to structure complex, multi-party transactions
Excellent analytical and risk assessment capabilities
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills


Reporting Line

Reports directly to Senior Management / Board of Directors, working closely with:


Business Development
Finance & Investment Teams
Project Execution Teams


Success Metrics (KPIs)


Successful legal structuring and financial close of projects
Reduction in contractual and financial risk exposure
Effectiveness of dispute resolution and debt recovery outcomes
Strength and enforceability of contractual frameworks
Speed and efficiency in deal execution