Senior Legal Manager 157 views

The Petroleum Commission is mandated to regulate and oversee The Gambia’s petroleum sector in a manner that promotes transparency, accountability, sustainability, and national development, in line with the country’s legal framework and international best practices. Central to the realization of this vision is a strong legal and regulatory foundation that safeguards national interests, ensures compliance, and supports effective governance of petroleum resources. The Senior Legal Manager plays a critical strategic role in this regard, providing authoritative legal leadership, managing regulatory and legal risks, advising the Board and Management, and ensuring that the Commission’s operations, policies, and decisions are fully aligned with the Constitution, applicable laws, and global standards in the oil and gas industry. Recent developments in the petroleum and energy sector, both nationally and internationally, together with the Commission’s current organisational structure and the Government’s strategic objectives for the development, promotion, and sustainability of the petroleum sector, have created the need to recruit a Senior Legal Manager. The successful candidate will provide the legal expertise and leadership required to support the Commission in effectively delivering these responsibilities and advancing its mandate without delay.

We are therefore looking for a dynamic and results-driven professional with expertise in legal, regulatory, compliance, and governance matters with demonstrated experience in developing and operationalising legal and regulatory frameworks, and capable of leading a team of legal professionals.

Position Summary:

The Senior Legal Manager shall provide legal, regulatory and governance support to the Commission and play a leading role in the development of the legal and regulatory framework governing the petroleum sector. The position will support the Commission’s mandate through the development of regulations and regulatory instruments, legal advisory services, contract review, governance support, and policy development.

 Number of vacancies: 1 (one) REPORTING LINE:

The successful applicant will report to the Director General of the Commission via the Deputy Director General.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and review the work of internal and external legal personnel;
• Review all information and prepare defense for legal actions against the Commission and advise on initiating legal proceedings on behalf of the Commission;
• Provide strategic legal and regulatory advice on the functional areas of the Commission;
• Coordinate and arrange all requirements for arbitration proceedings including preparation of necessary documents;
• Provide assistance, from legal perspective, in resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination across departments;
• Supervise personnel in the legal unit to ensure all legal documentation within the department is proper and complete;
• Provide legal advice on transactions of the Commission;
• Ensure that the petroleum legal framework is aligned with the

Constitution and other legislations that affect the petroleum sector and consistent with international best practice;

• Draft and review legal instruments, opinions, and correspondences relating to compliance and regulatory matters;
• Develop and implement the Commission’s legal and regulatory risk management framework;
• Advise the Board and Management on legal risks, regulatory developments and governance obligations;
• Superintend the formulation of proposals and drafting of relevant laws, regulations, policies and guidelines to strengthen the Commission’s role as a Regulator;
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislations, policies and the licensing frameworks;
• Assess and review oil and gas contracts and agreements in line with applicable legal and regulatory framework;
• Draft, review and vet all legal documents and agreements;
• Provide advice on legal aspects of oil and gas policies and standards and institutional framework;
• Support the Commission’s representation in disputes and high-level engagements;
• Interpret and implement court orders, judgments, rulings, and arbitration awards in liaison with the Ministry of Justice;
• Issue instructions in litigation and arbitration awards and other court documents in liaison with the Ministry of Justice;
• Issue instructions in litigation and arbitration proceedings where necessary;
• Provide legal guidance for licensing and acquisition of oil and gas exploration blocks;
• Develop legal mechanisms for the effective management of petroleum agreements and regulatory obligations;
• Train and mentor staff within the Legal Department and support capacity development across the Commission;
• Identify training needs of the staff under the Legal Department;
• Participate in senior management planning, contributing to strategic and policy decisions of the Commission;
• Perform such other tasks as may be

QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Candidates must have an LLB Degree in Law, a Barrister at Law Certificate (BL) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Oil and Gas, Energy Law, Regulatory Studies or Commercial Law (in that order).

Candidates must have at least (7) years of post-call experience, and at least 5 years post enrollment with demonstrable experience in the petroleum or energy sector, regulatory systems, statutory authorities, or public sector governance.

COMPETENCY, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Strong knowledge of general law, including constitutional, administrative, commercial, and public sector governance frameworks, with the ability to apply legal principles within regulated sectors;
• Strong knowledge of oil and gas or energy law, with proven ability to advise on regulatory compliance, contractual matters, project development, dispute resolution, and commercial risk management within the oil and gas sector.
• Strong expertise in regulatory compliance, licensing, enforcement, and institutional governance;
• Proven experience in drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and managing legal instruments, including laws, regulations, policies, and complex agreements, including petroleum contracts;
• Demonstrated capacity in litigation management, arbitration, and dispute resolution, including coordination with external counsel and relevant State institutions;
• Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate legal and regulatory risks, and to develop and implement effective legal frameworks;
• Experience in legislative drafting and review of laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines aligned with international best practice;
• Strong analytical, legal research, and problem-solving skills with sound professional judgment;
• Excellent oral and written communication, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Strong leadership, team management, and staff development capabilities;
• High level of professional integrity, ethical conduct, confidentiality, transparency, and accountability;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary senior management environment;
• Strong IT, numerical, project management, and organizational skills, with a commitment to continual professional development.

SALARY:

The salary for the position of Senior Legal Manager will be paid in accordance with Category II (A) of the Commission’s pay scale.

Applicants should submit their applications, including a Curriculum Vitae (CV), copies of certificates, and other relevant documents, via email or hard copies to:

Physical address: Director General Petroleum Commission 1^st Floor Petroleum House Brusubi Roundabout Bijilo

Email Address : info@petcom.gm

ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED NOT LATER THAN 22^nd July, 2026 at 4 pm

and should be addressed to the Director General, Petroleum Commission, 1^st Floor, Petroleum House, Brusubi Roundabout, Bijilo

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted and invited for an interview.