Senior Associate - Projects, Energy & Infrastructure

The Senior Associate - Projects, Energy & Infrastructure position in Nairobi, Kenya, seeks an Advocate with 4 to 6 years' experience. The role involves advising on complex infrastructure and energy projects, including project structuring, drafting agreements, and regulatory compliance. The candidate will engage in multi-stakeholder transactions and support project finance mandates while collaborating with clients and colleagues. This position offers opportunities for career advancement within a high-performing practice.
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a high-calibre Advocate with 4 to 6 years’ post-qualification experience to join our Projects, Energy and Infrastructure practice in Nairobi.
This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of complex infrastructure and energy projects across Kenya and the wider region. The team advises sponsors, lenders, developers, contractors, government entities and multilateral institutions on the structuring, development, financing and implementation of major projects, including public private partnerships, renewable energy projects and infrastructure initiatives across a range of sectors.


The successful candidate will work closely with partners on multi-stakeholder, cross-border transactions, with responsibility for defined workstreams and meaningful involvement in structuring, negotiation and execution. The role is suited to an Advocate seeking to advance within a high-performing practice, with increasing client exposure and responsibility.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
(a) Project Structuring and Development: Advise on the structuring, development and implementation of infrastructure and energy projects. The role requires engagement across the full project lifecycle, from early-stage project conceptualisation and feasibility through to commercial and financial close, and post-close phases including implementation, refinancing, investor exit and asset handback. This requires a strong understanding of how legal, commercial and financial considerations interact at each stage of the transaction, and the ability to contribute to the development of bankable structures aligned with the requirements of sponsors, lenders and public sector counterparties.
(b) Drafting and Negotiation: Lead the drafting, review and negotiation of key project and finance documentation, including inception reports, feasibility studies, risk analyses, procurement documentation, concession agreements, project agreements, power purchase agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, operation and maintenance agreements, shareholder agreements, joint venture arrangements, financing documentation and ancillary agreements.


(c) Project Finance: Support sponsor-side or lender-side project finance mandates as required, including legal due diligence, structuring inputs, conditions precedent management and coordination through to financial close. Ensure that transaction documentation, approvals and processes are aligned with project finance requirements and overall deal bankability.


(d) Regulatory Advisory: Advise on sector-specific regulatory, licensing, permitting and compliance requirements relevant to infrastructure and energy projects. Monitor legislative and policy developments, including within the public private partnerships framework, and provide clear, practical advice on their implications for transaction structuring and project delivery.


(e) Client Engagement and Team Integration: Maintain excellent relationships through engagement with clients and external advisors, and work collaboratively with partners and colleagues across other practice areas as required. Contribute to the supervision and development of junior Advocates and trainees, and support broader practice development initiatives.


QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will have:
(i) An LL.B degree from a recognised institution, with a strong academic record.


(ii) Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.


(iii) A Master’s degree in law, public policy, business, finance or a related field is advantageous


(iv) 4 to 6 years’ post-qualification experience in projects, energy, infrastructure and project finance within a reputable law firm or comparable environment.


(v) Demonstrated experience in drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements, with exposure to project agreements, PPPs and large-scale infrastructure transactions


(vi) An excellent understanding of risk allocation in long-term project contracts and the principles of project finance and bankability.


(vii) Experience working on multi-party and/or cross-border transactions is advantageous.


(viii) Strong analytical, drafting and communication skills, with the ability to present complex issues clearly and concisely.


(ix) Strong ability to think critically and provide innovative solutions to legal challenges


(x) Strong ability to manage multiple workstreams, prioritise effectively and deliver under time pressure


(xi) A high level of professionalism, attention to detail, initiative, sound judgment and a collaborative approach.


(xii) Confidence in engaging directly with clients and taking ownership of substantive aspects of transactions.


WHYJOINASHITIVA ADVOCATES LLP**
Ashitiva Advocates LLP offers the opportunity