RENEW offers a rare opportunity to join an investment firm working on the front lines of impact investing in Africa. Our firm manages the Impact Angel Network, one of the largest North American-based angel networks for Africa. In this capacity, we facilitate investments in promising small and medium enterprises in frontier markets. We also work with other investment firms and development organizations with the aim of creating market leaders while generating both attractive financial returns and head-turning social impact in countries across Africa. Our mission is to generate superior financial returns and positive social impact for our investors by turning SMEs into market leaders.
At RENEW, we invest with the goal of creating highly profitable, well-run, impactful companies across the African continent. We believe that investing in local SMEs is the most effective way to catalyze economic growth and impact the life of the average person. We foresee that the success of our portfolio companies will inspire a greater spirit of entrepreneurship and enable communities to continue making strides towards economic self-sufficiency and prosperity.
RENEW invites driven and like-minded professionals to apply to join us in pursuing this mission. We are seeking talented Ethiopian candidates for the position of Legal Counsel based in our Addis Ababa office.
Hours: Full-time
Primary Location: Addis Ababa
RENEW Investment Advisers PLC seeks a candidate with the following characteristics:
· Trustworthy, positive, high energy and cool under pressure
· Highly disciplined and detail oriented; able to implement projects and handle multiple tasks
· Analytical and a problem solver
· Emotionally intelligent and comfortable working with multiple cultures
· Self-driven, self-starter that can work well independently and with remote teams
· Highly accountable, flexible and adaptive; completes work on time and does what they say they will do
· Able to turn a “no” into a “yes” by explaining and analyzing a particular situation under pressure
· Strong understanding of how to interact with various local authorities in Ethiopia to keep investments moving forward
· The ability to think and act independently and on the spot, often times under pressure
This position will be responsible for, in partnership with the General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, the following:
· Serving the legal needs of RENEW
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· All legal tasks related to the investment activities of RENEW, including supporting the legal functions of portfolio companies
· Responsible for all legal services related to closing investments, including visiting and obtaining relevant approvals from all local authorities
· Prepare and review legal documents and correspondence with suppliers, service providers, contractors and other business counterparts for RENEW and its portfolio companies
· Monitor proposed or newly enacted policy, Ethiopian laws, regulations and on-going compliance issues that will impact the business, activities and operations, and advise on and implement necessary compliance programs
· Work within a fast-growing small business with the ability to learn quickly and be capable of handling a diverse range of tasks
With regular support and training from General and Associate General Counsel, take primary responsibility for significant projects, matters and/or business units within a short period of time· Law degree and a member of the Ethiopia Bar Association in good standing (required)
· 1 to 3 years’ experience practicing law in a law firm, government and/or in-house legal department setting, with increasing responsibility in areas of investments, international trade, corporate or commercial law and/or mergers and acquisitions
· An ability to deliver creative legal solutions that take into account the cross-cultural realities of a U.S. / western investment firm operating in a frontier market setting
· Demonstrated excellence and efficiency in written communications
· Ability to communicate complex concepts to a diverse lay audience
· Demonstrated enduring passion for harnessing the power of business for good
· Demonstrated self-starter, capable of working independently
· Demonstrated ability to write and communicate in English
The position is based in Addis Ababa, and includes some travel within Addis Ababa and to other cities in Ethiopia, as needed.
Minimum 3-year commitment; full-time job.
Modest starting salary. However, this is a career-track role with potential for raises and bonuses based on performance and results.
RENEW has been facilitating impact investments in East Africa and Asia since 2008. Our team of investment, marketing, business and legal professionals is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the United States. We invite you to learn more about RENEW by visiting our website www.renewstrategies.com and viewing the following videos:
RENEW & IAN Portfolio: 7 Companies, 1,161 Jobs
An Introduction to the IAN: How the Impact Angel Network Makes Investments in Africa