Projects Associate Role at The ENS | Apply now!

📌 JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Associate | Projects
Reference Number: req423
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Closing Date: 31 January 2026

🏢 COMPANY OVERVIEW

ENS is Africa’s largest law firm, offering legal services across the continent and internationally. The firm is recognised for its deep sector expertise, strong commercial insight, and ability to deliver innovative legal solutions on complex, high-value transactions.

ENS advises leading corporates, financial institutions, governments, and multinational organisations across key industries, including energy, infrastructure, banking, and natural resources. The firm is committed to excellence, transformation, and developing top legal talent.

🧾 JOB OVERVIEW

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate to join the Projects department at ENS in Johannesburg. This role is ideal for an admitted attorney with a corporate or commercial background who has an interest in large-scale infrastructure and project development work.

The successful candidate will work on complex cross-border transactions involving project development, project finance, acquisitions, and regulatory matters, with a strong focus on the power, energy, oil & gas, and infrastructure sectors.

🎯 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide legal advice relating to limited recourse project financing and project development transactions

• Advise on corporate law and corporate governance matters linked to project structures

• Support and participate in negotiations with financiers, sponsors, contractors, and other stakeholders

• Draft and negotiate complex transaction documentation including share purchase agreements, shareholders’ agreements, finance agreements, project development agreements, power purchase agreements, off-take agreements, and concession agreements

• Coordinate, arrange, and conduct legal due diligence investigations

• Assist with the structuring and execution of infrastructure and energy projects

• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary and cross-border legal teams

🎓 QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• LLB Degree

• Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Experience

• 1–5 years’ post-qualification experience in corporate, commercial, or M&A law

• Experience with joint ventures and corporate governance structures

• Exposure or interest in project development or project finance (advantageous but not essential)

Skills

• Strong legal drafting and negotiation skills

• Solid due diligence experience

• Commercial mindset with the ability to understand complex transactions

• Excellent client-facing and communication skills

• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a deadline-driven environment

• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills

📄 CV TIPS

• Highlight corporate, M&A, or commercial transaction experience

• Emphasise any exposure to infrastructure, energy, or project finance work

• Clearly state post-admission years of experience

• Demonstrate strong drafting and negotiation capabilities

• Include examples of client-facing responsibilities and teamwork

🌟 BENEFITS OF JOINING ENS

• Exposure to high-profile, cross-border infrastructure and energy projects

• Opportunity to work with leading legal professionals across Africa

• Strong focus on professional development and career progression

• Dynamic, intellectually stimulating work environment

• Access to complex transactions across multiple jurisdictions

🛡️ COMPANY POLICY

ENS is committed to transformation, diversity, and achieving employment equity within its workplaces. Preference will be given to suitably qualified Employment Equity candidates in line with the firm’s transformation objectives