TWG Vacancy: Legal Consultant

The Government of Grenada (GoG) wishes to fully assess Grenada’s hydrocarbon potential and, if found to be commercially viable, devise a strategy and action plan to explore, develop and monetise such findings for the benefit of the citizens and the patrimony of the nation.

In order to accomplish this goal, the Government of Grenada has established a Technical Working Group (called the “Grenada’s Hydrocarbons Technical Working Group” and sometimes referred to simply as the “Technical Working Group (TWG)”) to lead this initiative, develop a work programme to that end, provide periodic reports to the Cabinet of Ministers on its progress and a final Report to the Government at the end of its mandate.

The mandate of the Technical Working Group extends for a period of 12 months in the first instance, at the end of which its deliverables are expected to be as follows:

1. A comprehensive report on Grenada’s hydrocarbon potential, including an assessment of the geological and geophysical data, estimates of reserves and potential production, recommendations for exploration and development strategies, mitigation measures, and policies and regulations to promote investment and development
2. A report on the technical and economic feasibility of developing Grenada’s hydrocarbon reserves
3. A report on the potential environmental and social impacts of hydrocarbon exploration and development in Grenada, and strategies to mitigate these impacts
4. A report on the legal and regulatory framework required to support the exploration and development of Grenada’s hydrocarbon reserves
5. A report on capacity building initiatives to support the development of a skilled workforce in the hydrocarbon sector in Grenada
6. A communication strategy to engage stakeholders, including communities, civil society organisations, and the private sector
7. A set of policies and strategies for the sustainable exploration and development of Grenada’s hydrocarbon resources
8. Recommendations for potential partners and investors, including a plan to attract and retain them; and
9. A stakeholder engagement plan that outlines the approach, mechanisms and processes for engaging with relevant stakeholders throughout the exploration and development process

To facilitate this programme, the Government of Grenada, through the Technical Working Group, is seeking to recruit the consultancy services of suitably qualified experts to advise and assist in accomplishing this goal. Among the expert services required is that of a Legal Consultant, who would serve as the principal legal advisor to the Technical Working Group. Ideally, the Technical Working Group is seeking to retain the services of a legal consulting firm. However, a suitably qualified individual with relevant superior skills and experience will be considered.

The following are the terms of reference for the Legal Consultant:

1. Undertake a review of all existing treaties, contracts and arrangements existing between the Government of Grenada and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and/ or companies or entities in either country touching and concerning Grenada’s hydrocarbon potential
2. Undertake a comprehensive review of Grenada’s contractual engagements and make recommendations as to the measures that should be adopted by the Government of Grenada to place itself in the best legal and commercial position vis-a-vis the contractual rights and obligations in relation thereto.
3. Undertaking a comprehensive review of Grenada’s existing hydrocarbon legal and regulatory framework, with a view to identifying any gaps and deficiencies and making recommendation for establishing a modern legal and regulatory framework consistent with international norms and standards. This would include:
   1. Reviewing the existing Petroleum Act and all related legislation and licencing tools with a view to identification of their gaps and deficiencies
   2. Making recommendations for amending and updating Grenada’s Petroleum related laws and regulations so as to establish a modern legal and regulatory framework consistent with international norms and standards, including in relation to, but not limited to:
      1. Block sizes and preparation of the acreage for graticulation
      2. Preparation of the competitive bidding tools required for the offer areas for competitive tender and assisting in the marketing of such tender
      3. Suitable relinquishment provisions
      4. A suitable Fiscal Regime
   3. Ensuring that any and every licencing round undertaken is solidly underpinned by legislation that ensures unambiguous terms, effective regulation, and optimum returns to the State while remaining sufficiently competitive to attract international investment.
   4. Assisting in identifying potential partners and investors to participate in the development of Grenada’s hydrocarbon potential
   5. Assisting in the evaluation of offers and expressions of interest received by Grenada, whether presented in the framework of competitive bidding or through direct negotiations
4. Provide a comprehensive report on the legal and regulatory framework required to support the exploration and development of Grenada’s hydrocarbon reserves and make recommendations for achieving it
5. Develop a work programme to be pursued by the Technical Working Group in the area of legal and regulatory reform of the petroleum laws and regulations together with project plane and work schedule and workflows and present an Inception Report in relation to same within 21 days of engagement
6. Provide monthly progress reports to the Technical Working Group
7. The preferred mix of qualifications, experience and competencies for the Team Leader (in the case of a consulting firm) and the Consultant (in the case of an individual) would include:

• • Bachelor’s Degree in Law
  • Holder of a Legal Education Certificate or in the alternative, licenced to practice law in one Caribbean Jurisdiction
  • Minimum of 15 years’ experience as a practicing Attorney and/or Consultant working in the hydrocarbon sector
  • Excellent project management skills, with a track record of meeting deadlines
  • Proven leadership skills
  • Proven organisational skills
  • Excellent emotional intelligence and negotiation skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent numeric and non-numeric analytical skills
  • Strategic thinking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Self-starting skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and collaboration tools

Terms: Negotiable and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The successful candidate must be prepared to work remotely.

Interested professionals who meet or exceed the requirements are invited to submit their application by email only to: [email protected] by 24 November 2023.

Shortlisted applicants will be further contacted.

Grenada’s Hydrocarbons – Technical Working Group
Ministry of Infrastructure, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation & Transportation