Transactional / Project Finance Lawyer (Bilingual English & French)

About the role

We are seeking a bilingual Transactional / Project Finance Lawyer to join our legal team. The successful candidate will advise on complex cross‑border financing transactions, primarily in French‑speaking jurisdictions, and will work closely with clients, lenders, and internal stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate international contracts, financing agreements, security documents, EPC and offtake contracts, PPPs, concessions, joint‑venture and investment agreements in both English and French.
• Structure and analyze project finance transactions, assess risks, and ensure compliance with regulatory and governance frameworks.
• Lead due‑diligence processes, manage conditions precedent, and coordinate closing activities.
• Collaborate with M&A, Competition, Tax and other departments to deliver integrated legal solutions.
• Provide legal opinions and counsel on OHADA law, common‑law practices, and multi‑jurisdictional financing structures.

Required profile

• Master’s degree (Bac+5) in law with a focus on business, banking, finance or related fields.
• Admission to a foreign Bar or roll of Legal Counsel (required or highly valued).
• Minimum five years of proven experience in project finance, preferably within an international law firm or financial institution.
• Fluency in French and English, both written and spoken, with the ability to lead meetings and negotiations in both languages.
• Strong analytical, synthesis and interpersonal skills, able to work under tight deadlines in multicultural environments.

Required skills

• Drafting and negotiating legal contracts
• Structuring financial transactions
• Legal analysis
• Risk management
• Regulatory compliance
• Governance
• Due diligence
• Legal research tools
• Professional office software