Job Summary

The purpose of this position is to prepare and review contracts. The incumbent occupying the position will also be responsible for providing timely professional legal advice and opinions as required by the user departments of SSGC.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in screening and evaluation of agreements/contracts, such as service level agreements, gas sale and purchase agreements (both upstream and downstream), and contracts for services that are acquired through procurement and are subject to the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority Rules.
 
• Determine if the agreements serve the interests of the company and point out to the management any terms that might be unfavorable to SSGC and amend or remove as appropriate.
• Study the drafts of impending legislation and assist the immediate supervisor in the evaluation of the probable effect on SSGC and assist in raising recommendations to deal with implications.
 
• Coordinate with various SSGC departments to resolve issues relating to the drafting or execution of contracts or finalization of other matters requiring input from the Legal department.
• Assist in the preparation of draft contracts with respect to commercial transactions, memorandum of understanding (MoUs), and non-disclosure agreements.
• Prepare amendments to existing contracts considering the legal implications and ensure that the interests of the company are safeguarded in the processing and execution of contract revisions.
• Review tenancy and lease agreements and provide feedback to the relevant departments.
 
• Study reports on the decisions taken by superior courts on various legal issues, evaluate the probable effect on the company’s operations or the law suits pending in courts and discuss with immediate superior the various options available.
• Coordinate with the external law firms for specialized legal opinions.
Review and discuss the legal opinions with the law firms to ensure that SSGC’s requirements are appropriately addressed.
• Participate as a member of SSGC negotiation team to negotiate and settle the terms of the gas sale agreements with the exploration & production (E&P) companies within the gas industry.
Ensure that legal aspects are taken care of in settlement related aspects. 
• Assist in providing legal opinions and legal guidance on referred issues, cases and queries from user departments.
• Represent SSGC in various government and legal forums including standing committees and ministries on various legislative matters, where required.
• Provide assistance and guidance to legal counsel in the institution and follow-up of law suits filed by the company or in suits where the company is defendant.
• Attend court hearings on behalf of SSGC in important matters or as deemed appropriate.
• Prepare periodic reports for the Legal department’s management on the progress status of contracts.
 
• Periodically review lists for vetting of standard legal documents.
• Support junior legal staff in developing initial drafts and legal opinions.
• Identify and assess risks under their management/ownership.
• Develop and implement risk response strategies for the risks under their management.
• Monitor risks and response strategies under their management.
• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information provided for risk reporting.
• Undertake any other task assigned by the immediate superior.