Junior Legal and Risk Counsel – Logistics/Freight

About the role

The Junior Legal and Risk Counsel will support the Head of Legal and Risk in a logistics and freight environment. This position involves reviewing and drafting commercial contracts, managing regulatory compliance, and assisting with insurance and risk programmes. The role is based in Durban and operates on a full‑time onsite basis.

Key responsibilities

• Review, negotiate, amend and draft a variety of commercial, operational and corporate documents such as Service Level Agreements, Master Service Agreements, lease and finance agreements, and confidentiality agreements.
• Support legal risk management by collating dispute information, liaising with external counsel, and overseeing the contract approval process under the Marine Liability Insurance Programme.
• Provide regulatory compliance advice on legislation including the National Ports Act, international maritime conventions, environmental, labour, data protection and anti‑corruption laws.
• Conduct legal research, prepare draft memoranda, and assist with internal policy development and updates.
• Assist with insurance programme administration, risk assessments, claim handling, and participation in risk committee meetings.
• Maintain registers for contracts, ethics, training declarations and trademark renewals; prepare reports on claims and risk trends.
• Support corporate governance activities such as preparing board resolutions and statutory records.

Required profile

• Llb degree (essential).
• Completed articles or equivalent experience in a corporate, commercial legal, risk or compliance environment.
• Strong drafting and contract interpretation skills.
• Understanding of international legal frameworks in the logistics industry is advantageous.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a high‑volume setting.