In-House Legal Counsel

Climate Fund Advisor (CFA) is a division of Climate Fund Managers (CFM), a leading climate-centric blended finance fund manager. It raises and deploys climate finance funds in partnership at scale and at pace. Through its award-winning model, CFM has created a blueprint for a new generation of climate financiers, whose collective impact can help end the climate crisis. CFM currently manages two emerging market infrastructure funds focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation: Climate Investor One, a c. USD 1 billion fund focused on renewable energy, and Climate Investor Two, a c. USD 1 billion fund focused on water, sanitation and oceans infrastructure. CFM is currently implementing further blended finance initiatives in the green hydrogen, power transmission and cities sectors focused on development, equity, debt and guarantee financial instruments.

Established in 2015, CFM is a joint venture between the Dutch Development Bank, FMO, and Sanlam InfraWorks, part of the Sanlam Group of South Africa with offices in The Hague, Cape Town, Singapore and Bogota.

Job Purpose

Climate Fund Advisors Asia is seeking a dynamic and experienced legal professional to join the Asia Investment team, this role will report to the Head of Asia Investments, be based in Climate Fund Advisors (CFA) Singapore office and will require periodic travel to CFM regional offices as well as to projects within the CFA portfolio.

The primary focus of the position is to work closely with the Asia Investment Team and to provide transaction legal support on all legal and regulatory matters related to the execution and financing of CFA’s projects across Asia. Such legal support is provided throughout the project lifecycle and the projects are predominately financed on an all-equity basis and have a project finance structure. The secondary focus will be to build and manage relationships with external legal transaction advisors/counsel working on CFA’s Asia portfolio projects. Third focus will be to act as an active participant within the CFA platform, including close cooperation with the CFM legal team, CFA ESG team and CFM Governance teams.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Legal Counsel:

• The Legal Counsel role will deliver excellence to CFA Singapore and CFM The Fund Manager.
• The successful candidate will act as in-house legal counsel on all Asia transactions

Legal Process Compliance:

• Manage the review, negotiation, and implementation of legal documentation, highlighting key risks to the Asia Investment Team, and other stakeholders in a timely manner, and providing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Researching, interpreting, and advising on legal issues arising within transactions.
• Establish best legal practice and standardising legal documentation through templates as appropriate
• Legal sign off and advice on documentation in respect of transactions and the transaction compliance checklist

Legal Advice:

• Advise on new market entry and understanding of the local regulatory and contractual structures on the basis of local legal advice and setting up appropriate structures for entry
• Keep abreast of new legislation and amendments to existing legislation within operating portfolio

Risk Management:

• Identify legal risks and provide proactive advice and solutions to mitigate those risks

Internal Stakeholder Engagement:

• Provide support to the ESG Team with respect to legal issues and compliance with local governmental laws and regulations and ensuring alignment with ESG policies
• Provide support to the Governance Team with respect to legal issues and compliance with fund documentation and policies

External Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Procurement of external legal counsel
• Manage external legal counsel and related costs
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments that may impact the company
• Engage with government agencies or industry associations as necessary to advocate for the company’s interests

Legal and Governance training:

• Provision and procurement of relevant legal and governance training to Asia Investment Team members
• Provide training to employees on legal matters relevant to their roles, such as compliance training, contract negotiation etc.

Ad hoc projects ,

• as required

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• At minimum Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB)
• Admitted attorney, English law qualified, Articles completed at an international law firm
• 5 to 10 years’ relevant legal counsel experience
• In depth experience in Project Finance within Asia, with exposure to the renewable energy and/or water sectors required
• Legal expertise within company legislation and regulations affecting the climate finance industry
• Proven ability to develop partnerships with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• Process excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Fluent in English, Asian languages would be advantageous (Malay, Mandarin & Tamil)
• Must be able to work in a time sensitive and international transaction environment
• Ability to work well under pressure and ongoing re-prioritising of multiple tasks with proven planning and organisation skills
• High personal drive, resilient and possessing an uncompromising ethical standard
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• An ability to work within a team as well as independently
• Good knowledge of MS Office suite