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