Job Purpose
The Legal Counsel is responsible for providing strategic and operational legal support across all company activities, ensuring secure operations, managing legal risks, and actively contributing to the achievement of business objectives.
The role acts as a true partner to operational teams and management, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations and safeguarding the interests of the company and its subsidiaries.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Advisory & Business Partnering
- Provide proactive and pragmatic legal advice to various departments (Retail, Commercial, Marketing, Finance, HR, HSE, Communications, etc.).
- Review, draft, negotiate, and validate all types of commercial contracts (customer agreements, supplier contracts, partnerships, leases, service agreements, etc.).
- Support strategic projects, including network development, commercial partnerships, and marketing initiatives.
- Ensure regulatory compliance of operations and provide risk mitigation recommendations.
Litigation & Dispute Management
- Manage and oversee commercial, civil, labor, and administrative litigation matters.
- Coordinate with external counsel and define defense strategies.
- Monitor legal proceedings and ensure optimal protection of the company’s interests.
- Manage debt recovery procedures and enforcement of guarantees.
Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial
- Ensure company secretarial duties for group entities
- Organization of Board of Directors meetings and General Assemblies
- Preparation of agendas and minutes
- Management of powers of attorney and legal formalities
- Ensure compliance with corporate law requirements and regulatory obligations.
- Maintain statutory records and manage filings with relevant authorities.
Real Estate & Asset Protection
- Secure the legal framework of the real estate portfolio.
- Oversee acquisitions, leases, renewals, and terminations.
- Ensure asset protection and manage associated legal risks.
Records Management
- Ensure proper management, retention, and confidentiality of legal documents.
- Establish and maintain an efficient archiving system.
Key Challenges
- Effectively support a dynamic and growing business environment.
- Provide high-value legal support aligned with business priorities.
- Strike the right balance between risk management and operational facilitation.
- Maintain a level of performance equal to or higher than external law firm.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Master’s degree in law.
- Minimum 5 years of experience, including significant experience in-house or in a law firm.
Strong expertise in:
Business law
Commercial law
Corporate law
Litigation management
Key Competencies
Technical
- Excellent contract drafting and negotiation skills
- Strong legal analysis and risk management capabilities
- Good understanding of business challenges
Behavioral
- Leadership and influencing skills
- Strategic mindset and solution-oriented approach
- Excellent communication skills
- Rigor, integrity, and strong sense of confidentiality
- Team spirit and results-oriented mindset
Languages
French: Fluent
English: Fluent
Arabic: Fluent
CLOSING DATE: 14 April 2026
Skills Required
- Master's degree in law
- Minimum 5 years of experience in-house or in a law firm
- Strong expertise in Business law, Commercial law, Corporate law, Litigation management
What We Do
Vivo Energy is a downstream petroleum company that sources, distributes, supplies, and markets petroleum to retail and commercial customers across Africa.
