Principal Legal Advisor SHE

Job Title: Specialist SHE Legal Advisor

Company Overview: Sasol is a worldwide integrated chemicals and energy organization with a legacy of 75 years. Leveraging the skills of our dedicated workforce, we utilize our knowledge and selected technologies to responsibly and sustainably source, produce, and market chemical and energy products on a global scale. By joining Team Sasol, you become part of a company that prioritizes people in all our endeavors.

We are committed to investing in our workforce at every phase of their career journey, providing development opportunities to help you advance in a culture that values diversity and inclusivity.

Job Requirements:

• Job Req: 11330
• Closing Date: 16 February 2026
• Department: CML: Legal, IP & Compliance
• Location: Sandton, Gauteng

Purpose of the Role: The objective of this position is to offer specialized Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) legal advisory services across the Sasol Group, primarily focusing on South African operating model entities (OMEs). This role is essential for the adept management of SHE-related legal risks, achieved through collaboration with various internal stakeholders. You will provide expert legal guidance on intricate and evolving regulatory issues, litigation (mainly administrative and criminal), compliance with legal standards, and the associated business impact risks. This includes interactions with regulators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), industry associations, and strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, as well as capital and financing projects.

The provision of specialized legal advisory services will occur within a comprehensive and adaptive SHE legal framework, which encompasses regulations concerning water, waste, air quality, contaminated land management, biodiversity, greenhouse gas management, product stewardship, and occupational health and safety.

Key Accountabilities:

• Specialist SHE Legal Advisory Services (Ad-hoc and as part of project teams)
  • Offer legal advisory support on environmental, health, and safety issues to Sasol’s South African OMEs to aid in:
    • Mitigating Sasol’s Group Material Risks linked to SHE and related regulatory compliance (material risks 4, 5, 8.1, 8.2, 16, and 17)
    • Safeguarding Sasol’s operating license and its capacity to execute its strategy, which includes the commitment to achieving GHG emission reduction targets
    • Facilitating the realization of Sasol’s safety and sustainability goals and objectives (including health and safety initiatives).
  • Conduct legal research, compile pertinent facts and documents, and apply legal principles to create high-quality legal opinions that support the aforementioned goals and ensure compliance, while considering available technical options and business realities in collaboration with various internal stakeholders.
  • Assist with sustainability and ESG reporting and disclosures (both internally and externally), as well as managing related PAIA requests, media inquiries, and responses to shareholder and stakeholder questions.
  • Provide SHE legal expertise in Sasol’s engagements with stakeholders and regulators, advocating and participating in public consultation related to SHE law reform initiatives (proposed legislative changes) and collaborating with industry associations to effectively position and protect Sasol’s rights and interests.
  • Support Mergers and Acquisitions and financing projects, which includes involvement in associated due diligence processes (such as site visits), liaising with counterparts/legal representatives, and assisting in the development/review of related commercial agreements.
  • Contribute to commercial agreements, policies, procedures, position papers, and related internal Sasol governance documents.
  • Oversee and/or advise on the development and execution of SHE legal strategies concerning identified or assigned litigation/administrative matters related to water usage rights, air quality management, waste management, climate change management, and contaminated land management.

This involves executing a legal strategy that incorporates the application of legal mechanisms as provided by law, including amendment applications, postponements, exemptions, appeals, opposing administrative and criminal enforcement actions, requests for regulatory action, or initiating or opposing review, declaratory, or injunctive applications to the High Court.

• Timely obtain necessary approvals for litigation and dispute resolution matters.
• Prepare for and manage litigation, investigations, and other administrative/enforcement legal proceedings.
• Compile litigation reports for submission to relevant forums detailing pertinent matters, including status, outcomes, and costs.
• Collaborate with and oversee external Legal Counsel, ensuring their service delivery in drafting contracts, providing legal opinions, resolving litigation, and other specialized advisory needs in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Contribute to Group Risk and OME risk management processes as relevant to facilitate effective risk management.
• Stay informed about national and international SHE legal developments, emerging trends, and regulations, assessing and advising on potential impacts for Sasol in collaboration with legal advisors in other Sasol jurisdictions.

Formal Education:

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent degree.
• Post-graduate studies in relevant legal fields (Administrative, Constitutional, Environmental, Health, and Safety) would be an advantage.

Certification & Professional Membership:

• Admission as an Attorney or Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

Working Experience:

• A minimum of 9 years of relevant post-qualification experience with significant exposure to at least two of the following legal fields:
  • Environmental law
  • Occupational health and safety law
  • Administrative law
  • Constitutional law
  • Chemical regulatory laws
  • Commercial law

Required Personal and Professional Skills:

• Effective Communication
• Building Trust
• Policy and Regulation Knowledge
• Managing Complexity
• Legal/IP Risk Management
• Quality Decision-Making
• Results-Driven
• Compliance Management
• Information Management
• Information Privacy

Sasol is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Inspired by our purpose of “Innovating for a better world,” Sasol recognizes that diversity is fundamental to our organization’s fabric and is essential for our growth and success. We are committed to fully including all suitably qualified individuals. Preference will be given to applicants from designated groups and individuals with disabilities in accordance with Sasol’s Employment Equity Plan. This includes reasonable accommodations to allow individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Our automated application process is designed to efficiently evaluate a large volume of applications. If you do not receive a response from us within 60 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. We appreciate your interest in Sasol as your employer of choice and wish you all the best in your career aspirations and future applications with us.