Associate Counsel – NBA Africa & BAL

About the role

The NBA is seeking an Associate Counsel to provide legal, business affairs and compliance support for NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League (BAL). Based in Johannesburg or Nairobi, the role works closely with the NBA’s global legal team and local business units.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver timely legal and business‑affairs advice to NBA Africa and BAL teams.
• Draft, review and negotiate contracts for basketball operations, fan events, marketing partnerships, merchandising and service providers.
• Lead due‑diligence processes for partners and service providers.
• Advise on regulatory matters, including FCPA, UK Bribery Act, OFAC and regional compliance issues, coordinating with local counsel as needed.
• Manage general corporate and administrative legal matters for NBA Africa and the BAL.
• Implement organisational best practices, controls and policies and provide training to staff.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years post‑qualification experience, including work at a top‑tier multinational law firm and in‑house experience in Africa, the US, UK, Europe or the Middle East.
• Cross‑border transactional experience and a commercial or corporate law background.
• Law degree from a recognised university and admission to practice in South Africa, Kenya, England & Wales, the US or a comparable jurisdiction.

Required skills

• Strong analytical, legal writing and communication abilities.
• Extensive experience in contract drafting and negotiation with high attention to detail.
• Proficiency in compliance, due‑diligence and legal research.
• Knowledge of FCPA, UK Bribery Act, OFAC and African compliance regulations (preferred).
• Fluency in English; French or Arabic language skills are a plus.