Legal Counsel Professional South Africa

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products and providers all around the world. Present in 170 countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are well on our way to achieving our vision: to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At CEVA Logistics, we Rise in Motion.  Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise. 

LEGAL COUNSEL PROFESSIONAL – SOUTHERN AFRICA

YOUR ROLE

Are you a commercially minded legal professional with a passion for providing practical, business-focused legal advice? Are you looking to build your career within a global logistics environment where you can work across multiple jurisdictions and business functions?

CEVA Logistics is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel Professional – Southern Africa to provide high-quality, proactive and commercially focused in-house legal support across the South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique operations.

This role is ideal for a qualified legal professional with strong commercial and corporate law experience, sound legal judgement and a practical approach to problem-solving. Working within a lean regional Legal Department, the Legal Counsel Professional will work closely with the Legal Counsel Senior Manager – SAZ Region and key business stakeholders to manage legal matters, mitigate risk, support business objectives and ensure compliance with applicable laws and CEVA Group requirements.

The role provides exposure across commercial contracting, corporate governance, litigation, legal compliance, mergers and acquisitions, group reorganisations and general legal advisory services, making it an excellent opportunity for a legal professional looking to broaden their experience within a multinational logistics organisation.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Commercial Legal Support & Contract Management:

• Review and negotiate customer, supplier, transporter, vendor, confidentiality and other stakeholder agreements, with a focus on identifying and mitigating legal and commercial risks.
• Draft and review bespoke agreements, Powers of Attorney, mandate letters, termination notices and other legal documentation.
• Support Procurement and other Business Units with legal input on RFQs, RFPs, tenders and commercial processes.
• Maintain and update standard contract templates in line with CEVA policies, applicable laws, industry practices and lessons learned.
• Support Business Units including HR and SHEQ with the review and development of policies to ensure alignment with applicable legislation.
• Review and maintain Legal Department SOPs relating to contract reviews and ensure internal stakeholders understand and comply with the required processes.
• Promote strong document and contract management practices, ensuring that relevant versions and executed agreements are accurately recorded and readily accessible.
• Work with HR and other stakeholders to ensure new employees understand the appropriate processes for engaging with the Legal Department.

Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial Support:

• Support the effective governance of CEVA Group entities across the SAZ Region in accordance with applicable corporate laws and governance principles.
• Prepare documentation relating to the appointment and removal of directors and other corporate changes.
• Support the lodging of beneficial ownership information and other statutory information with relevant corporate registries.
• Prepare board induction packs and coordinate board induction workshops for newly appointed directors.
• Prepare notices, agendas, resolutions and other documentation required for shareholder, board and board sub-committee meetings.
• Attend relevant governance meetings, including taking minutes and providing appropriate legal and governance guidance.
• Ensure corporate records and resolutions are accurately maintained, updated and appropriately filed.
• Provide guidance on applicable corporate legislation and constitutional documents, escalating matters to the Legal Counsel Senior Manager or external counsel where appropriate.
• Ensure corporate governance developments are monitored and communicated to relevant stakeholders.

Litigation Management:

• Proactively support the management of potential, imminent and ongoing litigation matters across the SAZ Region.
• Provide practical legal advice to internal stakeholders on litigation-related matters, escalating complex matters to the Legal Counsel Senior Manager.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Litigation Legal Handover SOPs and internal legal processes.
• Collate relevant information and documentation required for briefing external legal counsel.
• Ensure external legal counsel comply with CEVA Supplier Covenants and applicable CEVA guidelines before commencing mandates.
• Support the management of external legal counsel and monitor matters to ensure appropriate outcomes are achieved.
• Prepare initial letters of demand, responses and other litigation-related correspondence.
• Conduct initial reviews of notices, pleadings and other legal documents prepared by external counsel for review and sign-off.
• Maintain accurate litigation records and provide monthly progress updates on matters within the role’s responsibility.

Legal Compliance & Risk Management:

• Support the Legal Counsel Senior Manager in ensuring that CEVA Group entities operate in compliance with applicable local laws and regulatory requirements.
• Identify potential legal and compliance risks and provide practical guidance to relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with the development and communication of internal notices relating to identified compliance requirements or risks.
• Support the development and implementation of the Compliance Universe Document for entities across the SAZ Region.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including SHEQ, HR, Customs and other Business Units to identify applicable legal and regulatory obligations.
• Assist with the development of compliance matrices and related training materials to support Business Unit understanding of their compliance obligations.

Group Reorganisation, M&A & Strategic Projects:

• Support the Legal Counsel Senior Manager with the implementation of Group reorganisations, mergers and acquisitions and other strategic legal projects.
• Assist with the preparation of implementation schedules and coordination of conditions precedent.
• Support the preparation and review of term sheets, MOUs, acquisition documentation and ancillary legal notices and instruments.
• Maintain accurate corporate records and documentation following reorganisations, mergers, acquisitions and changes to directors or corporate structures.

Legal Research & Knowledge Management:

• Conduct legal research on matters affecting CEVA and prepare legal memoranda and opinions where required.
• Monitor relevant legal and regulatory developments and assess their potential impact on the business.
• Prepare legal notices and communications to ensure relevant stakeholders are informed of legal developments and requirements.
• Maintain and update Legal Department Lessons Learnt Documents, ensuring identified areas for improvement and recommendations are captured and shared with relevant entities.
• Support the development and maintenance of a central legal resource library to enhance legal knowledge and consistency across the SAZ Legal Department.

General Legal Advisory & Stakeholder Support:

• Provide practical, commercially focused legal advice to internal stakeholders on a broad range of business matters.
• Support the Legal Counsel Senior Manager in managing day-to-day legal requests and priorities across the SAZ Region.
• Maintain the Legal Department’s central repository and ensure historical legal records are appropriately filed, stored and accessible.
• Prepare litigation reporting logs and other reports required by CEVA Group stakeholders.
• Manage legal documentation processes, including DocuSign execution, physical signatures, document delivery and filing.
• Provide timely and professional responses to internal stakeholders and ensure legal matters progress within agreed service levels.
• Build strong working relationships with Business Units and act as a trusted legal partner to the organisation.

Teamwork, Integrity & Professional Excellence:

• Demonstrate strong attention to detail, organisation and a consistent focus on meeting deadlines.
• Communicate clearly, professionally and respectfully with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Work effectively both independently and as part of a lean, collaborative Legal Department.
• Demonstrate a high level of integrity, accountability and sound professional judgement.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion when dealing with sensitive legal and business information.
• Remain adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment with changing business priorities.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and solutions-focused legal service delivery.

 WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Education and Experience:

• LLB Degree
• Admission as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa
• At least 2 years’ experience in a corporate legal environment
• Completion of articles of clerkship in a law firm environment
• Experience across the lifecycle of litigation matters, including legal research, opinions, investigations and engagement with external counsel
• Experience in corporate governance matters, including preparation of resolutions, board packs, meeting documentation and corporate records
• Experience in commercial contract review and drafting
• Experience working within a fast-paced, multinational organisation would be advantageous
• Experience within the logistics, freight forwarding, shipping, transport or operations environment would be advantageous
• Experience supporting organisations operating across multiple locations or jurisdictions would be advantageous

Skills:

• Strong understanding of corporate and commercial law
• Knowledge of the shipping, freight forwarding and logistics industry would be advantageous
• Understanding of insurance law
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills
• Litigation and legal research capability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Business-oriented approach to legal service delivery
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
• Strong Microsoft Office skills
• An innovative approach to legal service delivery, including an understanding of AI-enabled legal and business tools
• Stakeholder management and relationship-building capability

Characteristics:

• Detail-oriented and highly organised.
• Strong sense of ownership, accountability and integrity.
• Commercially minded and solutions-focused.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently while contributing effectively within a team.
• High level of emotional intelligence and professional maturity.
• Customer and stakeholder focused.
• Adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Collaborative and respectful in approach.
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfortable working under pressure and managing competing priorities.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?

At CEVA Logistics, we believe in recognizing and rewarding our employees. We offer a competitive benefits package, opportunities for career growth, and a supportive work environment where you can make a real impact.

We work as a team to achieve our goals, and we encourage our employees to grow and develop within the company.

ABOUT TOMORROW

At CEVA Logistics, your career growth is our priority. This role is an excellent opportunity to build a rewarding career in pricing and quoting within a global logistics company. Whether you want to deepen your expertise in commercial strategy or explore other areas within our organization, we provide the resources and opportunities to help you succeed. Join CEVA and be part of our exciting journey!

As a global organization, and as part of the CMA CGM Group, diversity is critical to our business success; only when we can reflect the cultures, languages, behaviors and local knowledge of our customers, we can succeed. By employing people with different experiences and abilities, we expand our knowledge and increase our creativity and innovation.

Please note: Legitimate CEVA Logistics recruitment processes include communication with candidates through recognized professional networks, such as LinkedIn or via an official company email address: firstname.lastname@cevalogistics.com. We recommend that you do not respond to unsolicited business propositions and/or offers from people with whom you are unfamiliar.