(Senior) Legal Counsel | EDFI Management Company

For EDFI Management Company, I am looking for a (Senior) Legal Counsel with 5 to 10 years of experience in direct debt and equity investments across emerging and developing markets. Fluent in English and French.

If you think you are the right match for the following opportunity, apply after reading the complete description.

Company

EDFI Management Company (EDFI MC) is an EU-funded hub managing innovative development finance solutions on behalf of 15 European Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Through investment solutions, co-financing vehicles and risk-sharing instruments, EDFI MC supports private-sector sustainable development projects in emerging and developing markets. Its activities are designed to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement, combining financial expertise with meaningful development impact.

Joining EDFI MC means becoming part of a purpose-driven organisation operating at the intersection of international finance, sustainability and development. From renewable energy and sustainable agriculture to the critical raw materials sector, EDFI MC finances projects that contribute to some of today's most strategic global challenges.

Function

As (Senior) Legal Counsel, you will play a key role in supporting EDFI MC's fundraising and investment activities.

Operating autonomously within a small legal team, you will take ownership of the legal documentation relating to direct debt and equity investments, from the initial term sheet through to closing. You will advise on transaction structuring, draft and negotiate transaction documentation, navigate the EU regulatory framework while supporting investments across the sectors in which EDFI MC operates, including the critical raw materials value chain — from exploration and extraction to processing, refining, recycling and circular economy solutions.

Working closely with investment professionals, external legal advisors and institutional stakeholders, you will contribute to sophisticated cross-border transactions across Africa, Asia and Latin America while supporting EDFI MC's compliance obligations and broader legal framework.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic legal advice on transaction structuring, contractual arrangements and other legal matters relating to EDFI MC's investment and fundraising activities
• Guiding investment teams and other internal stakeholders throughout the lifecycle of new and existing transactions, from structuring through to implementation
• Coordinating the drafting and negotiation of the contractual documentation relating to EDFI MC's investments, working in close collaboration with the investment teams and, where appropriate, external legal advisors
• Advising the Portfolio Team on strategic restructuring solutions relating to existing debt and equity investments
• Supporting the implementation and ongoing development of EDFI MC's compliance and governance framework
• Structuring and documenting the financing of preliminary and development-stage studies across the critical raw materials value chain, including milestone-based disbursements, repayable or convertible instruments, permitting and offtake conditionality, and the treatment of negative study outcomes
• Instructing, coordinating and supervising external legal advisors, including in mining and processing jurisdictions, while ensuring the quality and consistency of their work

This position offers exposure to sophisticated cross-border transactions across Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as regular interaction with development finance institutions, international stakeholders and European institutions.

Profile

• You hold a Master's degree in Law
• You have 5 to 10 years of experience in direct debt and equity investments involving operating companies, gained within a development finance institution, international organisation, international law firm, impact investment organisation or a comparable transactional environment
• You have substantial experience negotiating and documenting direct investments, including term sheets, facility agreements, subscription agreements and shareholders' agreements
• You have practical experience with international finance documentation based on common law principles and internationally recognised market standards (e.g. LMA documentation)
• Experience with restructurings, insolvency proceedings or distressed situations is considered an asset
• Experience in compliance and/or governance matters is a plus
• Exposure to the critical raw materials sector and an understanding of the related technical, operational and ESG risks would be considered an advantage
• You combine strong legal analysis with sound commercial judgement
• You are capable of challenging counterparties and defending key positions when required
• You are pragmatic, resilient and solution-oriented
• You are well organised, able to manage priorities and committed to delivering high-quality work
• You are proactive, flexible and enjoy working as part of a team
• You thrive in multicultural environments and communicate effectively with a broad range of stakeholders
• You have a genuine interest in emerging and developing markets
• You are fluent in English and French, both written and spoken. Spanish or Portuguese would be an asset

What is essential from day one

You are able to operate autonomously within a small legal team and have solid experience documenting and negotiating direct debt and equity investments in operating companies across emerging and developing markets. You are comfortable working with international finance documentation based on common law principles and are fluent in both English and French.

What you will build with EDFI MC

You will be supported in developing expertise in areas such as the critical raw materials value chain, feasibility-study financing, EU-funded mandates, and EDFI MC's compliance and governance framework. xqknzec The management, legal and investment teams will support you throughout your onboarding and beyond.

Offer

• A unique opportunity to work on transactions at the crossroads of international finance, sustainability and European strategic interests
• Exposure to international investments across emerging and developing markets
• The opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and critical raw materials
• A hands-on role offering significant autonomy within a small and highly specialised legal team
• A highly visible role working closely with investment professionals, development finance institutions and European stakeholders
• A dynamic and international environment alongside passionate and committed professionals
• The opportunity to broaden and deepen your expertise across a wide range of legal, financial and development finance topics
• A permanent position based in Brussels with a hybrid working model
• An attractive salary package and benefits aligned with the development finance sector

Registered in the Brussels-Capital Region (2 | Registered in the Walloon Region (W.RS.2049) | Not subject to registration in the Flemish Region