Contracts Counsel (French-speaking Africa) - 12 Months

About the role

Emerson is looking for a Contracts Counsel with French to join its Global Legal Function in Cluj-Napoca or Yerevan, in a hybrid setup, on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role supports the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, with a particular focus on French-speaking Africa, and works closely with Sales, Project Management, Finance, Risk Management and Legal teams to review, negotiate and manage commercial contracts.

Key responsibilities

• Review, draft and negotiate commercial agreements and transaction documents in line with company policies, legal requirements and ethical standards.
• Support customer requests for proposals, requests for quotations, vendor qualification documents and other contractual requests.
• Negotiate contract terms and conditions with customers, balancing business objectives and risk mitigation.
• Use previously negotiated agreements, approved deviations and contractual precedents to speed up recurring reviews.
• Act as Contracts Lead for international project contracts and framework agreements, with increasing ownership as experience grows.
• Provide contractual and legal guidance during the approval process and help drive contracts to closure.
• Analyze commercial, financial and legal risks and recommend practical solutions.
• Use approved AI and digital tools to improve contract review efficiency and knowledge reuse.
• Conduct legal research and advise Sales, Project Management and other stakeholders.

Required profile

• Law degree and qualification to practice law.
• Previous experience in commercial contracts, contract management or a related legal field.
• Solid understanding of contract law and commercial contracting principles.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Professional proficiency in English and French; additional languages are an advantage.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.

Required skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Preferred: experience with international business operations, complex commercial transactions, project contracts or framework agreements.