South Pole is a global climate solutions provider and carbon project developer. We support public and private sector organizations in achieving their climate and sustainability goals through two core business lines:

1. Certificates:
   We originate and advise high-quality carbon reduction and removal projects around the world from nature-based solutions to cookstove projects. These projects generate environmental assets such as carbon credits and renewable energy certificates, which support organizations in their decarbonization journeys.
   
   

2. Climate Advisory Services:
   Our advisory business provides end-to-end sustainability solutions, including climate risk analysis, net zero roadmaps, ESG advisory, supply chain engagement, and policy guidance. We work closely with clients to develop and implement science-based strategies that contribute to climate resilience and low-carbon transformation.
   

Job summary:

South Pole is looking for a motivated and capable Legal Counsel with 3–5 years of post-qualification experience to join our Global Legal Team. This role offers exposure to a diverse portfolio of legal work across multiple jurisdictions, primarily the EMEA regions. While the regional focus may vary based on the candidate’s location, the workload will include global responsibilities and cross-border legal support in line with South Pole’s international operations.

The role will report to the relevant Regional Legal Head based in South Africa and is particularly suited to anybody with a commercial contracting and/ or commodities or project development background.

The Legal Counsel will work closely with business teams across commercial, advisory, portfolio, and certificate operations, providing legal guidance on contracts, compliance, risk, regulatory matters, and disputes.

The Global Legal & Compliance Team
You will be part of a diverse and collaborative team of legal and compliance professionals based in Colombia, Australia,, India, United Kingdom,Germany, France, and South Africa. The Legal & Compliance function is led by the General Counsel, based in London, who is part of the Executive Committee, reports to the CEO and works closely with the Board and investors.

The team advises on all aspects of both strategic and day-to-day legal matters, including:

• M&A, JVs and Corporate Finance

• Corporate and commercial law

• Litigation and dispute resolution

• Regulatory and compliance

• Corporate secretarial

• Employment law

• Internal investigations and crisis management

• Legal project management

• Data Privacy

• Public and government affairs

Main tasks & responsibilities:

1. Commercial Contracting & Negotiation

• Draft, review, and negotiate a variety of standardized and bespoke commercial contracts, as well as other legal documents, including:

  • Emission Reduction Purchase Agreements (ERPAs)

  • Carbon removal credit sales agreements

  • Environmental attribute certificate contracts (e.g., I-RECs, GOs, RECs, REGOs)

  • consultancy and service contracts

  • Partnership agreements

  • Memoranda of understanding, letters of intent and expressions of interest,

• Support contract negotiations across global stakeholders, clients, and partners.

• Maintain and develop legal templates, playbooks, and process guides to ensure consistency and efficiency in global contracting.

• Assist commercial teams with structuring transactions and supporting procurement and tendering processes.

2. Regulatory, Compliance & Risk Management

• Provide legal guidance on cross-border regulatory issues, with a focus on ESG, sustainability, and environmental markets.

• Track and interpret legal developments in priority jurisdictions to support internal decision-making.

• Support the marketing and communications teams by reviewing promotional materials for regulatory compliance.

• Deliver legal training sessions to internal stakeholders on contract risks and compliance best practices.

3. Legal Advisory & Global Collaboration

• Act as a legal advisor across regions and business lines, helping teams navigate commercial, reputational, and operational legal matters.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments such as Finance, Risk, HR, IT, Marketing and Communications to ensure process, governance, legal and regulatory alignment.

• Support governance and legal process improvement projects initiated by the General Counsel, including knowledge management and automation.

• Work with global teams to support consistent legal risk management and business enablement.

• Conduct legal research and prepare internal memoranda or other documents on legal topics as may be required from time to time.

4. Dispute Resolution & Stakeholder Management

• Support alternative dispute resolution (e.g., mediation, negotiation), including stakeholder communication and settlement discussions.

• Assist with dispute resolution on ongoing matters

Requirements:

• Law degree and/or license to practice law common law jurisdiction: South Africa India, Singapore, New York or England & Wales in addition to any domestic qualifications

• Can do, “roll up your sleeves” attitude to take on areas outside your comfort zone and deep dive into unfamiliar topics (with senior support and guidance)

• Sensitive and proactive handling of stakeholders in the business with responsiveness being a key criteria

• 3–5 years of post-qualification legal experience, in a law firm or in-house role supporting cross-border commercial matters.

• Strong skills in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements.

• Experience advising on commodities, project development or/ and regulatory issues is an advantage.

• Ability to manage competing deadlines, work across time zones, and deliver practical, business-oriented legal advice.

• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, solutions-driven mindset.

• Native level proficiency in English is required.

What we offer:

At South Pole, we care about our employees as much as we care about the planet. South Pole is not just an employer, we are a Team. South Pole does not just offer people a job, we offer you a career. By joining our team, you will find strong purpose and deep meaning in everything you do. You will have the chance to make a real difference for our clients and for the planet, working alongside a passionate team of like-minded colleagues, while building your knowledge/skills and developing your career in a fun, dynamic, international and fast-growing organisation.

We’re a planet of 7.5 billion unique and different people. We all have a contribution to make and South Pole is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status or disability. Our recruitment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.

Department

Corporate Services

Locations

Cape Town

Remote status

Hybrid