Position Description

Instruction:  Items in light blue text are instructions and DO NOT Print. They DO NOT need to be deleted..

Purpose                                     

To provide legal advisory and contract services, to the Pacific Hydro group of companies (“PH Group”), a leading developer, owner and operator of renewable energy projects in Australia.

Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe major responsibilities of the position, including the expected outcomes, standard and timeframes. i.e. the what and the how.

Provide effective legal support through:

• Providing timely, commercially relevant legal advice and recommendations to internal stakeholders on a wide range of issues arising in PH Group;
• Reviewing and drafting legal documentation that is used in the ordinary course of business of PH Group including, but not limited to, the following:
  • lease agreements and associated land contracts;
  • minor works contracts, consultancy agreements, confidentiality agreements, construction contracts, power purchase agreements, operations and maintenance and supply contracts;
  • sale contracts and project documents (construction contracts and finance documents);
• Assisting the Manager, Compliance & Risk Management as required on regulatory and compliance related matters;
• Managing legal documentation associated with landholdings (e.g. caveats, easements, mortgagee consents etc);
• Participating in the direct negotiation of contracts;
• Providing assistance in disputes and litigation;
• Preparation of legal updates and general advice that is relevant to PH Group’s business and the renewable energy sector generally;
• Legal research;
• Precedent preparation and maintenance;
• Liaising with regulatory authorities, government bodies and other organisations as required on legal and regulatory matters relating to PH Group’s business; and
• Preparing FIRB applications and ensuring compliance with FIRB conditions.
• Reviewing regulatory changes in energy and other relevant regulations and advising PH Group’s business where required with a strategic and commercial focus.
• Providing written submissions to energy regulators where required to represent PH Group’s business.
• Providing strategic, commercially minded advice to internal stakeholders on both development and operational project issues.
• Assisting in developing and delivering staff training in specific areas of law (for example, competition las, trade practices, contract law issues, energy regulations etc.)
• Ensure that the Company’s compliance obligations are actively maintained, managed and kept up- to-date with particular focus on cyber security and data protection and the compliance obligations allocated to the position title as identified in the Company’s Register of Compliance Obligations (as set out in the Compliance Procedure and as amended from time to time). [Note: This wording needs to be in every PD as it is a compliance requirement]

Knowledge, experience (including qualification) and skill

Knowledge and experience:   

• Qualified lawyer admitted to practice in Victoria with 5-7 years of PQE in a law firm or a strong in-house legal team.
• Commercial law experience.
• Experience in construction or property law desirable.
• Experience in the Energy sector desirable.

Skills:

• Client management.
• Stakeholder management.
• Strong legal drafting and communication skills.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Independent worker.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Team player.
• Excellent planning, organisation and time management skills.
• Enthusiastic attitude and willingness to work outside of comfort zone