Legal Counsel

About the role

The role defines the legal function for a Zambian mineral exploration business. It establishes governance for a team building a world-class mine in the Copperbelt.

Legal roles protect a company against risk while keeping business moving. Lawyers advise on contracts, deals, and disputes. Compliance teams make sure the company follows the rules that apply to it. Paralegals keep the paperwork, filings, and deadlines in order. Precision and judgment are the core skills. Legal teams manage risk while enabling deals and launches. Most work is deadline driven, and confidentiality is a constant requirement.

Key facts

What you'll do

Leading the development of the legal department sets the strategy as the company scales exploration programs across Zambia. Hiring and supervising outside counsel across multiple subject areas and jurisdictions ensures coverage for complex work. Reviewing, drafting, and advising on complex transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions manages legal risk. Leading due diligence efforts when the company conducts diligence or responds to requests safeguards decision-making. Providing immediate legal and business advice to senior executives, Finance, HR, CSR, and Corporate Communications supports timely choices. Writing, revising, and reviewing documents for every part of the business maintains clarity and control. Guiding global operations on confidential information, tax structuring, and organizational processes aligns with commercial goals.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. At least 10 years of experience in legal roles in corporate organizations or private practice demonstrates depth. Experience providing legal service to a top Zambian corporation, such as a leading bank or mining company, proves relevant context. Leading teams of attorneys and staff shows leadership capability. A law degree from a recognized university is mandatory. Membership of the Law Association of Zambia with a valid current practicing certificate confirms professional standing. Demonstrated understanding of Corporate Law, Mining Law, and Employment law ensures regulatory competence. Excellent interpersonal relations and communication skills enable collaboration. High integrity and ethical practice underpin decision-making. Strong oral and written communication with excellent presentation skills support stakeholder engagement.

Practical notes

The role is based at the corporate headquarters in Lusaka, with consideration for Copperbelt and remote work. Travel is required, including at least one week per year to project sites, and field roles spend more time in the field. Only Zambian national applications are accepted. Typical interview steps

Legal interviews usually include a contract review exercise, a compliance scenario, and behavioral rounds. Candidates may be asked to flag issues in a sample agreement or explain a regulatory question. Past experience with specific practice areas carries the most weight. Interviewers often present a sample contract and ask what you would flag. Working through it out loud, risk by risk, is the strongest approach.

Good to know

KoBold Metals applies artificial intelligence to mineral exploration. The role operates in a fast-growing, technology-driven exploration environment. The position involves collaboration across geology, operations, and executive stakeholders. Ethical, safety, and environmental considerations are central to the work. The role supports global business standards and organizational processes.

Questions to ask

Good questions to ask the employer in the interview: what does success look like in the first six months, how is the team structured, what is the current biggest challenge, and how are decisions made. Asking about growth paths and the review process is also well received. Employers expect questions, and good ones show preparation.

Career growth

Legal careers grow from associate to senior counsel, general counsel, and chief legal officer roles. Compliance specialists can move into risk or governance leadership. Specialization by practice area, from employment law to corporate transactions, is common. Legal careers reward precision and commercial awareness. In-house roles value speed and judgment over exhaustive analysis.