Legal Counsel, Projects

About Us

Imperative is a global carbon project development company that aims to be in the top decile for quality in the carbon projects market. We have a build-own-operate model and specialise in the design, development and operation of carbon credit projects that help combat climate change while promoting biodiversity conservation, economic growth and social development in the countries in which we operate. With a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility, we are seeking a highly skilled and ambitious Legal Counsel to join our dynamic team and support our legal and compliance functions as we continue to expand globally. 

Position Purpose

Reporting directly to the Senior Legal Counsel, the new Legal Counsel, Projects will play a critical role in ensuring that Imperative manages legal risks effectively, operates in full compliance with international and local laws and upholds the highest ethical standards. The Legal Counsel, Projects will be a member of the Global legal team that supports our Singapore parent entity and works across our project portfolio to provide strategic legal guidance and support our mission of addressing climate change by developing the best carbon credit projects in the world.  

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with global and in-country colleagues to deliver world-class projects in emerging markets. Specific responsibilities include: 

1. Legal Function 

• Assist in the delivery of legal services to Imperative’s global business, with a focus on project development, project finance, carbon offtake and other key aspects impacting Imperative’s business; 

• Assist with project financing transactions across our project portfolio, including the review, negotiation, drafting and administration of financing, security, and related commercial agreements including carbon offtake and streaming agreements; 

• Establish and manage various data rooms and due diligence requests; 

• Work closely with the Senior Legal Counsel and the Commercial team to structure and negotiate commercial arrangements relevant to Imperative projects, including joint venture or service agreements with our project partners; 

• Review, negotiate, draft and administer a variety of contracts, including project agreements, consultancy agreements, subcontracts, partnerships, and vendor agreements; 

• Assist in the management and coordination of in-country legal colleagues and external counsel across the various jurisdictions in which Imperative operates (currently South Africa, Peru, India and Mexico); 

• Assist in identifying and managing legal risks and opportunities across all relevant jurisdictions; and 

• Promote a culture of ethics, integrity, and corporate social responsibility within the organisation. 

2. Global growth 

• Support Imperative’s expansion into new emerging markets, considering unique legal and compliance challenges in each region. 

• Assist in the establishment and maintenance of corporate subsidiaries within our global group structure, including both wholly owned and joint venture entities. 

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

• Contract Law: A good knowledge and sound understanding of contract law, principles, and practices, and the ability to apply them to different scenarios and contexts.  

• Finance and commodities transactional experience: A proven track record of successfully negotiating, drafting and managing complex cross-border finance, offtake and/or commodities transactions; 

• Carbon: Familiarity with carbon projects, standards (VCS, CCB) and international policy (Paris Agreement) is a plus; 

• Attention to detail: Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and organisational skills; 

• Integrity: Demonstrate a high level of drive and personal integrity and be passionate about making a positive difference to the world; 

• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate clearly, professionally, and courteously with diverse audiences and stakeholders; 

• Commercially minded: Deal-orientated personality, able to move fast and hold the line with counterparties; 

• Interpersonal: A relationship builder and influencer, able to collaborate and work with others, especially in an international context; 

• Proactive: Flexible in managing your workload across changing priorities and conflicting demands; and 

• Travel: Willingness to travel to project sites and to work across time zones and cultures. 

Qualifications

• Legal degree from an accredited law school or university; and 

• Admission to practice law in a common law jurisdiction. 

Required Experience

• The position requires at least 3-5 years’ experience in the finance, corporate, commercial and/or projects team at a top tier global legal practice; 

• Experience coordinating multiple external stakeholders across many jurisdictions and a variety of topics; and 

• Experience working in or with emerging markets (Latin America, Africa and/or Asia and specifically Peru, India or Mexico) is highly desirable.  

Position Location

Flexible globally, with a preference for a location in the Europe/Africa time zone.  

Language

Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Additional language skills relevant to target emerging markets (Spanish, French or Portuguese) would be an added advantage.  

Values

At Imperative, we are passionate about our values and encourage all team members to embrace them.  

• Integrity: We act honourably and are guided by a strong moral compass. If things go wrong, we put our hand up, admit it and adapt. 

• Momentum: Speed matters. We have a bias to action. We think quick, we plan tirelessly, we mitigate risks but above all, we take action. 

• Purpose: We are driven by our desire to make the world better, with every interaction, process and project. 

• Accountability: We do what we say, and we deliver. We seek to be the best at what we do. 

• Collaboration: We celebrate diversity of thought, values and backgrounds and seek to harness the strength of our people and partners to achieve more than we individually can, through teamwork and creativity. 

• Tenacity: We are highly ambitious, driven and hardworking. We persist until we deliver impact.