We are seeking an experienced, highly-motivated Legal Counsel to serve as the full-time in-house lawyer for our international BTC mining operations in Ethiopia. The successful candidate will be the primary legal resource on the ground, ensuring all company activities especially in the complex areas of foreign investment, immigration, and technology-related regulation are fully compliant with Ethiopian laws and international best practices.
Location: CMC area, Addis Ababa In-office presence required during working hours. Salary: Attractive
Reports To: Country Manager
Key Responsibilities
Corporate and Operational Legal Activities
General Compliance: Serve as the primary legal advisor on all corporate operations in Ethiopia, ensuring adherence to the laws and regulations of the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and other relevant bodies.
Contract Management: Draft, review, negotiate, and manage all commercial contracts, including but not limited to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP), vendor/supplier agreements, service contracts, and facility leases.
Regulatory Monitoring: Proactively monitor and advise the management team on changes in Ethiopian law, directives from the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) concerning currency (Birr) and crypto activities, and Information Network Security Agency (INSA) regulations, particularly those impacting data centers and crypto operations.
Corporate Governance: Manage all local corporate legal administration, including board resolutions, maintenance of corporate records, and filings with the EIC and other registries.
Risk Management: Identify and mitigate legal risks across the organization, including labor disputes, regulatory penalties, and contractual breaches.
Immigration and Expatriate Affairs
Visa Processing: Manage the end-to-end process for securing all necessary visas for foreign employees and consultants (e.g., Business Visas, Work Visas).
Work and Residence Permits: Oversee the application, renewal, and management of Work Permits from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MoLSA) and Residence Permits/Residence Cards for all expatriate staff and their dependents.
Immigration Compliance: Provide ongoing legal advice to ensure the company and its foreign employees remain compliant with all Ethiopian immigration, employment, and expatriate tax laws.
Specialized BTC Mining and Investment Focus
Technology & Data: Advise on legal issues related to data center operations, data security, technology imports, and compliance with INSA's requirements for cryptographic products/services.
Foreign Currency: Advise on the complex Ethiopian foreign currency regulations, including repatriation of capital, export earnings from mining, and compliance with NBE directives on foreign exchange retention.
Stakeholder Liaison: Act as the primary legal liaison with key government agencies, including the EIC, INSA, EEP, Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority (ERCA), and the Main Department for Immigration and Nationality Affairs (INSA).
Job Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
Required
Education: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized university. Must be a licensed and active member of the Ethiopian bar.
Experience: Minimum 5-7 years of professional legal experience, with a significant portion in-house or with a leading law firm advising international companies on Ethiopian corporate, investment, and immigration law.
Immigration Expertise: Demonstrable, specialized experience in successfully processing work permits, residence cards, and visas for foreign national employees in Ethiopia.
Language: Fluency in both written and spoken Amharic and English is mandatory.
Commitment: Ability to work full-time at the company's designated office location during standard working hours.
Preferred
Direct experience advising companies in the mining, energy, IT, or high-tech/data center sectors.Strong understanding of international business practices and corporate governance standards.
Familiarity with the specific regulatory framework surrounding cryptocurrency/digital asset activities in Ethiopia.
Skills and Competencies
Practical Problem Solving: Ability to translate complex legal requirements into practical, business-focused solutions.
Communication: Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, and written communication skills to effectively communicate with government officials and foreign management.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in legal drafting and compliance procedures.
How To Apply
Apply through THIS LINK
