Senior Legal Counsel

Position Overview

• Reporting Line:
• Reports to: General Counsel
• Skip-level: Managing Director,

• Main Asset: LNG Project
• Other Assets: Deep water exploration, Renewables
• Direct Reports: None

  Key Responsibilities

  1. Oil and Gas Operator PNG Companies

  • Legal/statutory governance
  • Contract drafting and review
  • Government communications
  • Development of internal procedures

  2. Joint Venture (JV) – Operated Licences

  • JV governance and legal obligations
  • Licensing process support
  • Legal input for project-related activities

  3. Joint Venture – Non-Operated Licences

  • JOA interpretation and amendments
  • Partner relationship support

  4. Permitting

  • Managing permitting registers
  • Legal research and application review

  5. General Legal Duties

  • Legal dispute advice and litigation support
  • Oversight of external counsel
  • Coordination with HQ (France & Singapore)
  • Corporate compliance and reputation protection
  • Law implementation and impact assessment
  • Tendering process legal support
  • Annual regulatory review
  • Cross-functional legal support
  • Legal opinions and mentoring local counsel

  Context & Environment

  • PNG operations are strategically important for the LNG business.
  • High complexity due to social, environmental, and partnership challenges.

  Accountabilities

  • Minimize legal/financial exposure
  • Ensure legal policy compliance
  • Accuracy in legal documentation
  • Train and mentor local legal counsel

  Qualifications

  • Experience: 10+ years in legal roles (preferably in Oil & Gas or international law firms)
  • Education: PNG Law degree or overseas equivalent; Must hold current practicing certificate
  • Knowledge: Must have extensive knowledge of exploration and production/energy law and general commercial and
    
    corporate law experience.

    o Excellent English skills are required.

    o Experience in landowner issues and environment matters, or experience in PNG but not essential.
    
    
    
    This role requires the candidate to relocate to Port Moresby and work on a Monday to Friday schedule. The operator provides housing and transportation support.