Legal Counsel - Corporate (11 Months Contract)

Role Overview

Legal Counsel - Corporate at Ejqa. This is an 11-month contract position based on the employer's original location.

Role Purpose

Provide legal counsel and practical support on corporate, commercial, banking, and investment matters, ensuring the business operates in compliance with applicable laws and corporate governance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate & Commercial Advisory

• Provide legal counsel and support to internal business units on corporate, commercial, banking, and investment matters, including transactions, contracts, financing documents, procurement, compliance, and corporate governance.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various commercial agreements, including service contracts, supply agreements, procurement documents, and real estate transactions, ensuring alignment with company policies and objectives.
• Advise on corporate, regulatory, and compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring adherence to local and international laws and corporate governance standards.

Corporate Transactions & Due Diligence

• Support corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, partnerships, restructuring, and financing activities, ensuring legal due diligence and documentation accuracy.

Corporate Governance & Secretarial

• Maintain corporate registrations, renewals, and compliance documentation for the Group's entities around the world, including drafting of resolutions.
• Amend, update, and maintain the Group Companies' constitutional documents.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal risks across business operations, supporting the development and implementation of risk management strategies.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and training programs to promote compliance, ethical conduct, and best legal practices across the organization.
• Monitor, interpret, and advise management on changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards affecting the company's operations and compliance obligations.

Stakeholder Management & Awareness

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to promote legal awareness and ensure the integration of legal compliance into daily business activities.
• Manage relationships with external counsel and consultants, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality legal services.
• Provide timely and practical legal advice to senior leadership on strategic and operational matters.

Specialized Legal Counsel

• Advise on matters relating to data protection, employment law, corporate secretarial requirements, and intellectual property as required.

General

• Perform all duties as assigned by the Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Affairs.

Qualifications & Experience

Education & Professional Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Law or equivalent; Master's Degree preferred.
• Admission to a recognised Bar; qualified lawyer in a common law or civil law jurisdiction.

Professional Experience

• 7–9 years of post-qualification experience, including at least 2–4 years in an in-house counsel role.
• Solid experience in corporate and commercial law, contracts, and regulatory compliance.
• Prior exposure to sectors such as logistics, energy, infrastructure, or transportation is advantageous.

Geographic & Cross-Border Expertise

• Experience advising on cross-border legal and regulatory matters.
• Ability to interpret and apply local and international laws, precedents, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and research complex or novel legal issues, interpret applicable laws and regulations, and provide sound, actionable advice.

Skills & Competencies

Legal & Technical Expertise

• Strong analytical and advisory skills in corporate, commercial, and banking and investment law.
• Strong understanding of corporate, commercial, and banking law, regulatory frameworks, and compliance management.
• Familiarity with international trade, data privacy, and corporate governance principles.
• Ability to provide pragmatic legal advice balancing legal risk and business objectives.
• Skilled in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating complex agreements with attention to risk and commercial objectives.

Communication & Interpersonal

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present complex legal concepts clearly to non-legal audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills; builds trust and collaborates effectively with internal teams, regulators, and external partners.
• Cooperative and supportive attitude; works effectively in multidisciplinary and cultural teams and contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment.

Professional Attributes

• Demonstrates integrity, balanced judgment, and emotional intelligence when addressing complex issues or situations and in interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, and team members.
• Open to feedback and continuous learning; maintains a positive attitude toward personal and professional development.
• Understands and observes corporate protocol; demonstrates respect, humility, and accountability in all interactions.
• Upholds high professional standards and demonstrates commitment to corporate values and compliance culture.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Comfortable with digital contract management systems.
• Proficient in legal research platforms.

Languages

• Business fluent in English (written and spoken).
• Arabic language skills desirable.

Additional Information

• Contract type: 11 months.