HQ
SENIOR COUNSEL JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Senior Counsel; Finance, Corporate and Strategy

Location: Bujumbura, Burundi or Nairobi, Kenya (with travel to Bujumbura, Burundi, one week per month or more)

JOB PURPOSE

Weza Power is a new electricity distribution utility in Burundi, created from the unique, large-scale Public-PrivatePartnership between Virunga Power and the Government of Burundi in the form of a long-term design-buildfinance-operate-transfer concession. Our goal is to accelerate electrification across Burundi through the rapid expansion of the electricity distribution network, targeting up to 70% (or more) of the population with grid access by 2030. We are currently looking for a Senior Counsel: to lead the legal function for Weza Power, ensuring compliance with international legal and corporate governance standards while supporting the setup and operation of Burundi's first private distribution utility. This role will manage financing, employment, stakeholder engagement and procurement activities as Weza Power deploys $1.4B to electrify 70% of the Burundian population by 2030.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Lead negotiations related to the financing of Weza Power with private investors and DFIs, including IFC and the World Bank
• • Assist in the establishment of the first private distribution utility in Burundi, including building and implementing policies and procedures throughout the organization to ensure Weza Power meets the highest international standards at all levels of the company
• • Ensure the implementation of human resources and business integrity policies and provide legal direction on all employment matters
• • Participate in and advise on the engagement of governmental and other local stakeholders;
• • Be the primary point of contact and manage relationships and engagements with local tax, legal, and other advisors
• • Ensure regulatory compliance and oversee the Weza Power compliance function to ensure ongoing compliance with the standards and requirements of funders
• • Oversee and manage legal, commercial, supply chain and reputational risk in procurement processes and procedures
• • Lead negotiations related to construction contracts
• • Oversee day-to-day corporate matters including contract management, real estate transactions, imports, employee benefits, tax and insurance

KEY COMPETENCIES

• • Experienced collaborating closely with high-performing teams of colleagues with various areas of expertise (engineers, finance, E&S, etc.)
• • Ethical and professional; accustomed to interacting with high-level government representatives
• • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• • Ability to work independently and with minimal instruction. Demonstrated interest in renewable energy, international development, and social impact

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Licensed attorney in good standing (US, UK, France and/or Burundi)

Experience

• • Minimum 10 years of relevant legal experience
• • Experience working in and/or across from the World Bank and the IFC
• • Project finance experience in the energy/infrastructure sector
• • In-house experience, particularly at a multinational enterprise operating in Africa
• • Work in civil and common law jurisdictions

Certifications

None specified.

Skills

• • Negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• • Deep knowledge of legal compliance and risk management in energy sectors
• • Demonstrated interest in renewable energy and social impact
• • Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Languages (Proficiency Level)

• • French – Fluent
• • English – Fluent

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The role will primarily be performed in a professional office environment in Bujumbura, Burundi or Nairobi, Kenya, with travel to Bujumbura, Burundi, one week per month or more.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Minimal physical demands, predominantly office work with standard office equipment.

PERFORMANCE METRICS

• • Timely completion of legal and compliance deliverables
• • Successful negotiation of contracts and agreements
• • Effective implementation of corporate policies and compliance frameworks
• • Positive stakeholder feedback on legal and regulatory engagement

If you are interested and feel that you meet the criteria outlined above, please send a copy of your current CV and brief note to weza-senior-counsel@anzana.odoo.com with the subject “Senior Counsel – Weza Power” before 16 December 2024

Note : Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.