Legal Counsel Latin America

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We are bold, respectful, and we deliver, with Impact.
Our long-term vision is to raise, deploy and manage funds for climate change mitigation and adaptation that will play a transformative role in our target sectors.
Climate Fund Managers (CFM) is a climate-focused blended finance investment manager operating across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
CFM raises and deploys blended climate finance funds, working in partnership to deliver climate-resilient solutions at scale and pace.
With over USD 2 billion in assets under management and targeting an additional USD 6 billion, CFM's private equity and private credit facilities address key areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, energy transmission, water and sanitation, and biodiversity and oceans infrastructure.
CFM's funds are supported by public and private sector organizations, with public capital deployed strategically to balance risk and mobilize private sector capital, enabling investment across the project lifecycle - from development to construction and operation.
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, Windhoek, Singapore and Bogota.
Job Purpose CFM is seeking to recruit an Inhouse Legal Counsel to support the Investment and Asset Management team initiatives.
This role will be based in Bogota and reports to the Regional Head of LatAm.
The successful candidate will serve as a key legal advisor for CFM's renewable energy investments and asset management activities across the Latin America region.
This role requires a deep understanding of corporate, regulatory, and environmental law in the renewable energy sector.
The successful candidate will manage legal risks, aid in the negotiation and drafting of complex agreements, ensure compliance with local and international regulations, and support strategic transactions, such as acquisitions, project financing, and joint ventures.
Fluency in English and Spanish is required; Portuguese is highly desirable.
The Legal Counsel will work closely with the Investment Team to provide transaction legal support on all governance and regulatory matters related to the execution and financing of CFM's projects across LatAm.
The broad areas of impact and service delivery for the role include: Providing Legal support throughout the investment and asset management project lifecycle.
Projects are predominately financed via structured agreements that encompass debt and equity instruments with a project finance-type structure.
To build and manage relationships with external legal transaction advisors/counsel working on CFM's portfolio projects in the region.
To actively participate within the CFM platform, collaborating with the CFM Regional Legal team in Africa and Asia, the ESG team and Governance teams including assistance with the management of Corporate Secretary arrangements and with the Corporate Secretary teams within CFM and CFM managed vehicles.
The Inhouse Legal Counsel will deliver excellence to CFM LatAm and CFM The Fund Manager.
The successful candidate will act as legal counsel on all LatAm transactions.
Key Duties and Responsibilities Legal Advisory and Compliance: Provide legal advice and support on renewable energy investment projects, including greenfield developments, and project financing.
Ensure compliance with regional regulations, including energy policies, environmental laws, tax frameworks, and corporate governance standards.
Advise on and implement legal strategies for renewable energy asset management, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), construction contracts (EPC), and operations and maintenance agreements (O&M).
Monitor and analyze regulatory changes in the renewable energy sector across LatAm markets, ensuring timely updates to internal stakeholders Contracts and Transactions: Manage and review, negotiation, and implementation of legal documentation, highlighting key risks and provide appropriate mitigation strategies.
Research, interpret and advise on legal issues arising within deals and transactions.
Draft, review, and negotiate key project documents, including investment agreements, partnership agreements, concession contracts, and equity / debt financing arrangements.
Work closely with cross-functional teams on structuring innovative renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and energy storage initiatives.
Establish best practice and standardize legal documents through templates as appropriate Legal sign off and advice on documents in respect of deals, transactions and the transaction compliance checklist Legal Advice, Litigation and Dispute Resolution: Advise on new market entry and understanding of the local regulatory and contractual structures based on local legal advice, setting up appropriate structures for entry Keep on top of new legislation and legislative amendments within operating portfolio Handle disputes arising from investment agreements, land use, construction, or operational matters.
Collaborate with external counsel to resolve legal disputes efficient Corporate Governance and Risk Management: Identify legal risks and provide proactive advice and solutions to mitigate those risks.
Ensure compliance with local corporate governance requirements for entities in the LatAm region.
Develop and implement risk management frameworks for investment and operational activities.
Support internal audits and regulatory reporting obligations related to renewable energy projects.
Internal Stakeholder Engagement: Provide support to the ESG Team with respect to legal issues and compliance with local governmental laws and regulations to ensure alignment with ESG policies Provide support to the Governance Team with respect to legal issues and compliance with fund documents and policies External Stakeholder Relationship Management: Engage and manage external law firms for specialized legal support, ensuring cost efficiency and high-quality advice.
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 for and procurement of relevant legal and governance training to investment team Provide training to staff on legal matters relevant to their roles, viz.
compliance training, contract negotiation, environmental law and risk.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Bachelor's degree in law (LLB or equivalent); a Master's degree in Law is preferred, Business Administration, or a related field is a strong asset.
Admission to the bar in at least one LatAm jurisdiction; additional bar admissions are a plus.
Minimum 7–10 years of legal experience, preferably with a mix of in-house and law firm roles.
Proven experience in renewable energy, infrastructure, or project finance within LatAm markets.
Expertise in energy regulations, environmental law, corporate law, and cross-border transactions Fluency in English and Spanish (Portuguese is an advantage).
Exceptional negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills, particularly in renewable energy project documents.
Sound understanding of LatAm energy markets, regulatory frameworks, and business practices.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for interacting with clients and presenting investment proposals.
Attention to detail and ability to perform thorough due diligence and analysis.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and manage multiple tasks / stakeholders simultaneously.
Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact confidently with senior executives, clients, and investors.
Behavioral Competencies Strategic Thinking: Ability to anticipate legal challenges in project development and execution.
Negotiation: ability to arrive at agreement with stakeholders representing different interests Cooperation : Practical, business-oriented solutions to complex legal issues.
Leadership: Influence stakeholders and drive decision-making at all organizational levels.
Devotion to Quality: Precision in analysing and drafting legal documents.
Integrity: balancing Legal, Commercial and Ethical standards.
Planning: systematically organizing stakeholders, activities, timeframes and priorities.
Situational Awareness: effective market orientation and effectively using relevant information #J-18808-Ljbffr