The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is currently recruiting for the position of Lead Counsel, Property Law. This role is crucial for managing the legal aspects of NNPC’s property portfolio, ensuring the perfection of titles, transfer of identified properties, and acquisition of new properties.
Objectives
The main objective of the Lead Counsel, Property Law is to:
- Lead the perfection of titles and transfer of identified NNPC properties.
- Oversee the acquisition of new properties.
Key Responsibilities
The Lead Counsel will handle various critical tasks related to property law, including:
- Legal Documentation
- Review legal documentation related to property investments to ensure effective drafting and interpretation.
- Provide professional assistance on potential areas of exposure in property dealings, including regulatory, legal, and contractual aspects.
- Litigation Support
- Prepare and gather all reference evidence for use by external counsel during litigation.
- Client and Vendor Liaison
- Liaise with internal clients, external counsel, customers, and vendors to identify objectives and negotiate agreements.
- Document Vetting
- Vet documents such as Agreement for Sale, Leave & License Agreement, Lease Agreement, Development Agreements, Deed of Conveyance, Tenancy Agreement, Deed of Gift, Will and Codicil, Mortgage documents, Power of Attorney, Affidavits, and other litigation-related documents.
- Risk Mitigation
- Identify, flag, and advise on all potential areas of exposure to the Company in property dealings to mitigate risks, including regulatory, legal, and contractual exposures.
- Monitoring and Documentation
- Monitor property and land matters and review financing and legal agreements.
- Ensure all property-related matters are appropriately documented and filed in a structured, self-explanatory filing system.
- Conveyancing and Property Work
- Oversee and advise on routine and complex conveyancing and other property-related work to meet the Company’s objectives and secure its property interests.
- Reporting and Feedback
- Provide timely and regular reports on the activities of the Unit to the Manager Corporate Law.
- Offer regular, formal, and informal feedback on identified gaps in direct reports’ performance and recommend appropriate solutions.
Educational Qualifications
Candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- A university degree in Law.
- Barrister at Law (BL) qualification is mandatory.
- Professional qualifications and membership in relevant professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are required.
Experience
The ideal candidate should have:
- A minimum of 9 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
- Experience in the oil and gas industry, which will be an added advantage.
Competence
The role requires a robust skill set, including:
- Negotiation skills.
- Conflict resolution skills.
- Knowledge of oil and gas industry regulations and laws.
- Expertise in legal case handling and analytics.
- Proficiency in statutory laws.
- Skills in legal advisory and legislation interpretation.
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should apply before the closing date on August 20, 2024. Applications can be submitted online via the following link: NNPC Lead Counsel Application.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for a seasoned legal professional to play a vital role within NNPC. As the Lead Counsel, Property Law, you will be at the forefront of managing and securing NNPC’s property interests, contributing significantly to the corporation’s overall success and stability.