Legal Officer: Land Programme

**Job Advert Summary**:
(This is a 3 year contract position based in Newlands, Cape Town)

WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is _for nature, for you_.

Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude.

**Background**:
The Legal Officer: Land will join the legal team in providing effective and efficient in house legal support to WWF South Africa and the Associated Trusts, in particular related to land acquisition and management, related and Land Portfolio matters, through the Land Portfolio. Legal experience in general contractual law is essential and understanding of environmental legislation (in particular the NEM: Protected Areas Act) is essential. This position will report directly to Legal and Risk Manager and Land Programme Manager.

**Minimum Requirements**:

- LLB and admission as an attorney.
- At least 2 years post-admission experience.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Experience in commercial contract drafting
- Knowledge of the relevant environmental law
- Advanced level proficiency in MS Office
- Systematic and analytical thinker
- Able to solve problems and build relationships
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong writing and presentation skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Self-motivated
- Resilience
- Team-player
- Excellent planning and organizational skills
- Able to perform under pressure and use initiative

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- **General Legal Support**
- Expert legal support to the WWF-Land Programme and Biodiversity Stewardship Portfolio:

- Drafting and vetting property related agreements and documentation including Offers to Purchase, Donation Agreements, etc.
- Managing declaration processes of properties as protected areas in terms of the NEM: Protected Areas Act no. 57 of 2003.
- Drafting and vetting property Management Agreements and liaising with Management Agencies (e.g. CapeNature, SANParks, etc.)
- Relationship management, instructions to and coordination with external property legal service providers, including conveyancers.
- Assess possible risks associated with property transactions and recommendations on risk mitigation.
- Assist Land Programme with rates disputes and negotiations with municipalities.
- Assist in negotiations, mediations and correspondence related to property matters as required.
- Participate in the processes around land acquisition and provide guidance from a legal perspective.
- Expert legal support to the WWF Conservation Programme/ Land Programme/ Sustainable Food Systems:

- Drafting and review of Landowner Conservation Agreements.
- Legal support to the Associated Trusts as related to property matters.
- **Conservation Project Legal Support**
- Drafting and vetting management agreements for technical assistance with landowners.
- Providing additional assistance to Provincial conservation agencies for project related stewardship declaration processes.
- Assistance drafting and finalizing project agreements and amendments.
- Assistance with the drafting, finalising and management of non-disclosure agreements.
- Assistance with drafting offset agreements.
- **General**
- Keep abreast of changes in property, land use and conservation laws, regulations and industry standards, conducting legal research as required and providing updates and training to internal teams.
- Contribute to continuous improvement within the organisation of contracting strategies and contract administration processes in conjunction with the Legal and Risk Manager.
- Revision and updating of standard templates.
- Record keeping of relevant legal and other property-related documents.
- Legal governance and compliance.
- Attendance at the following meetings:

- Finance and Business Support Unit.
- Meetings to update the Legal and Risk Manager / legal team.
- Project Approval Team (PAT).
- Land Reference Group (LRG).
- Land Valuation Negotiation (LVN).
- Working Group meetings & Project Steering committee meetings, Stewardship working group and Legal Working group.
- National Biodiversity Stewardship Technical Working Group and Legal Reference Group.