Legal Counsel

An exciting vacancy exists at SANY based in Harare, Zimbabwe for a Legal Counsel to join the team.Job PurposeTo provide comprehensive in-house legal and compliance support across Southern Africa, with Zimbabwe as the primary jurisdiction. The role ensures compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory frameworks, mitigates legal risk, supports corporate governance, manages external counsel, and delivers commercially sound legal advice to support business operations across multiple jurisdictions.Key ResponsibilitiesThe successful candidate will be responsible for but not limited to the following functions:Provide legal advice and support on corporate, commercial, and operational matters across the business.Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements, including supplier, customer, service, and employment-related contracts.Support corporate governance requirements, including board resolutions, policies, and internal controls.Identify, assess, and mitigate legal and compliance risks through practical and commercially sound advice.Ensure compliance with Zimbabwean legislation, including the Companies Act, POPIA, labour legislation, and applicable industry regulations.Support compliance requirements across other Southern Africa jurisdictions in coordination with external legal advisors.Develop, implement, and monitor internal compliance frameworks, policies, and procedures.Conduct compliance reviews and internal audits and address identified gaps.Liaise with regulatory authorities and manage relationships with external legal counsel.Coordinate and oversee external counsel across multiple jurisdictions to ensure effective risk management and cost control.Provide legal support on cross-border contracts, disputes, regulatory matters, and compliance assessments.Support dispute resolution processes, claims management, and litigation coordination.Maintain legal and compliance registers, records, and reporting dashboards.Deliver compliance guidance, training, and awareness initiatives to internal stakeholders.Act as a trusted legal advisor to management and cross-functional teams across multiple countries.Collaborate with regional business teams, international stakeholders, and Chinese counterparts on legal and compliance matters.Minimum RequirementsBachelor of Laws (LLB)Minimum 3 -5 years’ experience post-admission in commercial, labour, or general legal practice.Experience in an in-house legal department or a multinational company will be an advantage.Experience within a similar industry or a Chinese-owned company will be a strong advantageAdmission as a Legal Practitioner in Zimbabwe (or eligibility for admission, where applicable)Skills and CompetenciesStrong analytical and critical thinking abilityExcellent stakeholder engagement skillsAbility to work independently and manage multiple prioritiesAdvanced contract drafting and negotiation skillsStrong knowledge of South African commercial and compliance lawExperience in a multinational or cross-border business environment