Overview
Mid-Level to Senior Associate: Projects, Energy and Infrastructure Jobs in Nairobi County, Kenya at Bowmans (Law Firm)
Title: Mid-Level to Senior Associate: Projects, Energy and Infrastructure
Company: Bowmans (Law Firm)
Location: Nairobi County, Kenya
Our Practice
Bowmans’ Projects, Energy & Infrastructure (PEI) practice is one of the most active and highly
regarded teams operating across East and Southern Africa. We advise developers, sponsors, lenders, multilateral institutions, and governments on the full lifecycle of energy and infrastructure projects, from early-stage development and regulatory structuring through to financial close and post completion matters. Our current portfolio spans independent power projects (mainly renewables, and co-generation), large-scale transmission infrastructure, transport, water, and social infrastructure, frequently involving multi-jurisdictional coordination.
The team is consistently ranked in the top tier by Chambers Global, IFLR and Legal 500 for Projects and Energy work in Kenya and across the continent.
The Role
We are looking for a commercially sharp and technically strong mid-level to senior associate to take on a central role within the PEI team. You will lead the day-to-day execution of complex, high-value transactions, working closely with partners and alongside multidisciplinary deal teams. This is a role for someone who wants to run workstreams on significant mandates, develop direct client relationships, and build towards a partnership-track career within a leading African projects practice.
Key Responsibilities:
• Transaction Execution and Leadership. Act as lead associate on complex project development, project finance, and PEI M&A transactions in the power, renewables, oil and gas, transport, water, and social infrastructure sectors. Structure, draft, and negotiate project agreements, finance documentation, and security packages. Take ownership of workstreams and drive them through to closing.
• Client Exposure and Relationship Development. Serve as a primary day-to-day contact for sponsor, lender, government, and multilateral clients. Build trusted working relationships with key client contacts. Contribute to business development efforts including pitch materials, panel tenders, and sector-focused client engagement.
• Team Supervision and Development. Scope, delegate, and supervise work undertaken by junior associates, trainees, and paralegals. Provide structured feedback, support professional development, and foster a high-performance, collaborative working environment.
• Cross-Practice Coordination. Work closely with colleagues across banking and finance, construction, environmental, tax, competition, and disputes to deliver commercially integrated advice on complex mandates.
• Knowledge and Thought Leadership. Develop and maintain practice precedents and knowhow resources. Present at client seminars and industry conferences.Contribute to sector publications and briefing notes that strengthen the firm’s profile in the energy and infrastructure space.
• Matter and Financial Management. Manage matter budgets and timelines. Ensure compliance with the firm’s risk and conflicts policies. Support timely billing and collections.
Candidate Requirements:
• LLB (or equivalent) with a strong academic record. Admission to practice in Kenya or another common-law African jurisdiction.
• 5 to 8 years’ post-admission experience, with the substantial majority spent advising on project development and/or project finance transactions at a leading local or international firm.
• Deep familiarity with limited-recourse financing structures, concession and PPP frameworks, PPA/PPP negotiations, and the regulatory regimes governing energy and infrastructure in Kenya and the wider region.
• A demonstrable track record of leading workstreams on multi-party, multi-jurisdictional mandates.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills, with the ability to distil complex issues into clear, actionable advice.
• A genuine interest in business development and client relationship-building within the energy and infrastructure sectors.
• Proven ability to lead and develop junior team members.
• Fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of French or Portuguese and experience across multiple African jurisdictions will be an advantage.
What We Offer:
• A position within one of Africa’s top-ranked projects and energy practices, working on mandates that shape regional infrastructure development.
• Consistent exposure to high-quality, complex transactions involving leading developers, DFIs, and multilateral institutions.
• Direct client contact and meaningful responsibility from day one, with clear scope to develop your own client relationships.
• A structured path towards senior leadership within a growing and strategically important practice area.
• A collegial, high-performance team culture that values both technical excellence and commercial thinking.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV and cover letter to kecareers@ bowmanslaw.com on or before 15 May 2026.Your cover letter should clearly set out your relevant transactional experience and highlight the leadership roles you have played on recent deals.
“Bowmans is an Equal Opportunity Employer”.
