Position Objective:

The Head - Legal & Secretarial is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the entire legal and compliance framework of Husk Power Systems across all its operational geographies. The primary objective is to provide proactive, strategic legal counsel to the management team and Board of Directors, ensure robust corporate governance, mitigate legal and regulatory risks associated with the microgrid business, and manage the company's secretarial compliance obligations efficiently. This role is key to supporting the company's ambitious growth while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and statutory adherence.

Key Responsibilities Include:

This role encompasses four main pillars of responsibility: Governance, Business Operations, Employee Matters, and Stakeholder/Associate Relations.

A. Corporate Governance & Secretarial Compliance

- Board & Statutory Compliance: Oversee and manage all statutory and regulatory compliance requirements, particularly under the Companies Act and relevant corporate laws in all operating jurisdictions (e.g., India, Nigeria).

- Secretarial Function: managing all Board, Committee, and Shareholder meetings, drafting minutes, maintaining statutory registers, and ensuring timely filing of documents with regulatory bodies (e.g., ROC).

- Corporate Structure: Manage legal aspects related to corporate restructuring, subsidiary formation/dissolution, and inter-company agreements.

- Regulatory Watch: Monitor changes in corporate, energy, and environmental laws relevant to the microgrid sector and advise management on necessary adjustments.

B. Business Operations & Contract Management

- Commercial Contracts: Draft, review, negotiate, and finalize a wide range of commercial contracts, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), land lease agreements, vendor and procurement contracts, and supplier agreements.

- Project Finance: Provide legal support for project financing activities, including due diligence, review of financing documents, security creation, and dealing with international development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks.

- Intellectual Property (IP): Manage the company's IP portfolio (trademarks, patents) and enforce IP protection rights.

- Dispute Resolution: Manage litigation and legal disputes across all jurisdictions, coordinating with external counsel and developing effective defense and negotiation strategies.

C. Employee & HR Related Issues

- Labor Law Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to national and local labor and employment laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.

- HR Documentation: Draft and review employment agreements, service contracts, HR policies, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), and non-compete clauses.

- Internal Governance: Advise HR and management on internal disciplinary matters, terminations, workplace harassment, and employee disputes to minimize legal exposure.

D. Multiple Associates & Stakeholder Management

- Partnership Agreements: Draft and negotiate complex partnership, joint venture, collaboration, and distributor agreements with domestic and international associates and partners.

- Government Relations: Provide legal counsel on engaging with government agencies, regulatory commissions, and local community stakeholders concerning licensing, tariffs, and operational permits.

- Investor Relations: Provide necessary legal support for capital raises, investor reporting, and compliance with shareholder agreements and investment terms.

Requirements:

- Education: Master's Degree in Company Law (LL.M. or equivalent specialized qualification) is mandatory. A Bachelor's degree in Law (LL.B.) and membership in a Bar Council is required. Qualified from top-tier law schools in India (NLS Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad, NUJ WB, NLU Delhi, OP Jindal, NLU Jodhpur, and NLU Gujarat)

- Experience: 7 to 9 years of post-qualification experience in a relevant legal role. A significant portion of this experience must be in corporate law, commercial contracts, and compliance management, ideally within the renewable energy, infrastructure, or deep-tech sectors.

- Sector Knowledge: Proven experience dealing with legal issues specific to project development, infrastructure, and cross-border transactions.

Skills

- Legal Acumen: Deep and current knowledge of corporate law, commercial law, labor laws, and compliance standards, particularly in India and/or Africa.

- Strategic Thinking: Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, commercial risk assessments and strategic business advice for the executive team.

- Communication & Negotiation: Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with regulators, investors, partners, and internal stakeholders.

- Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects and internal/external counsel simultaneously.

- Integrity: Uncompromising ethical standards and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.