Job Title: Senior Associate, Legal (ACP)
Location: Lagos
About Africa Finance Corporation (AFC):
Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) is a multilateral financial institution, created by African sovereign states to provide pragmatic solutions to Africa’s infrastructure deficit and challenging operating environment. We actively pursue these solutions by developing and financing infrastructure, natural resources and industrial assets for the enhanced productivity and economic growth of African states.
Job Summary
- AFC Capital Partners is the Asset Management affiliate of AFC. The Candidate is expected to advise ACP on legal matters throughout all stages of fundraising for various strategies across all of AFC Capital Partners fund products.
- This is a role for a seasoned all-round lawyer with a broad range of skills in various disciplines of law who will draw on their expertise and years of “hands-on” experience in developing business relationships with managers and investors, structuring complex transactions, and maximizing developmental and financial returns on investment.
- He/she will have worked on several African or Emerging market fund raisings in the private sector and shall provide legal advice on diverse investment vehicles and provide legal support to the Investment team in structuring and facilitating new investments having undertaken a similar role in an MDB, Fund or Investment Bank.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Advise on the fund formation legal matters throughout all stages of fundraising for various strategies across all of AFC Capital Partners fund products.
- Lead the formation and ongoing operation of various private funds;
- Draft and negotiate fund documents, partnership agreements, subscription agreements, and side letters management agreements, and other contractual agreements.
- Advise on related investment vehicles such as co-investment vehicles, side cars, Shariah-compliant vehicles, and secondaries transactions.
- Understand and resolve or devise innovative solutions to the legal and regulatory barriers for private sector participation in developing countries.;
- Provide strategic legal advice on structuring new products and other related product development initiatives as well as advising on any preliminary legal or regulatory matters.
- Guide and lead outside counsel and internal business groups on investor-related requirements, fundraising, and fund-related issues pertaining to investments.
- Ensure all the legal requirements, conditions or terms are fulfilled and collate documentary evidence to that effect.
- Develop a robust filing and document management system to ensure that the Fund is compliant with all regulatory, legal and contractual obligations.
- Work closely with the Business Development team, Investment teams, and the broader Legal & Compliance team to address legal, regulatory, and operational concerns.
- Lead in updating and revising offering materials for new and existing investment vehicles.
- Lead in the review of investor communications, responses to investor inquiries, and support investor due diligence processes.
- Ensure that fund documentation and communications align with applicable laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
- Provide legal support to the Investment team in structuring and facilitating new investments. Provide counsel on transaction-specific issues, coordinating with relevant stakeholders to manage legal risk and regulatory considerations.
- Provide legal support to the Finance and Operations teams on all matters related to fund operations, structuring, governance and administration.
- Monitor any legal and regulatory developments affecting private fund formation and operations, ensuring ACP Capital Partners remains at the forefront of industry standards
- Provide legal services in respect of Corporate Secretariat matters where required.
Minimum Qualifications & Other Requirements
- Qualified to practice law and admission to the bar in a relevant jurisdiction.
- Graduate / Master’s Degree in Law, preferably with a focus in international law and/or finance law.
- Minimum of 10 years’ professional experience, preferably at a leading Investment Fund or Investment Bank or Fund Manager. In-house PE fund or Fund experience required. Similar experience in an MDB sponsored fund is helpful but not a requirement.
- At least 5 years of experience as lead counsel in private fund formation, fundraising, and related transactions. Experience in Africa or emerging markets in Asia or Americas is helpful.
- Experience in project finance and structured finance would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of green -financing, funds and /or climate finance or carbon finance. (NOT NECESSARY).
Competencies (S,A &K):
- Experience of independently drafting and negotiating a wide variety of private markets fund documentation, including terms sheets, PPMs, LPAs, subscription agreements, etc. ideally from a manager and investor perspective.
- Proven hands-on skills on risk allocation and mitigation in the context of international cross-border transactions.
Transactions:
- Proven practical knowledge of and experience of advising on securities laws and regulations and tax requirements affecting fund formation and investment in relevant jurisdictions in Africa in addition to Mauritius and Nigeria.
- Familiarity with MIFID, AIFMD is an advantage but not a requirement.
- Significant practical experience in establishing, administering, and winding up PE funds and a practical knowledge of broad range of funds structures including closed and open-ended funds, Knowledge of Hedge Funds, Venture Capital Funds, and Funds would be a definite advantage
- Proven experience in leading the structuring, negotiation, and execution of LPs, and transactions across private equity, infrastructure, credit, and other alternative investment funds, with expertise in various investment asset classes.
- Strong negotiation and Limited partnership drafting skills, with a proven ability to close complex LPs and Investment Agreements deals without over reliance on external counsel.
- Commercial mindset with the ability to balance legal risk management with business objectives
- Experience working in an investment bank, or PE firm.
- Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, creatively, and critically, and to articulate issues and recommend solutions.
- Proven ability to analyse diverse range of information and tackle multiple projects under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong expertise in African and emerging markets, with experience handling transactions in complex regulatory environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously while engaging with senior executives, investors, and external advisors.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to build strong relationships across various internal and external teams
- Experience in dispute resolution including mediation, arbitration, or litigation.
- Ability to undertake administrative tasks including tendering processes, review of supplier contracts, corporate procurement, compliance, records and information management, Host Country relations, and security
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should click on ‘Apply now’ below.
