SR.LEGAL COUNSEL, CONTRACTS

Role Overview

Senior Legal Counsel – Contracts at Alfanar, based in Saudi Arabia and supporting international markets. The Legal Counsel – EPC & Project Development will provide comprehensive legal support to Alfanar's EPC and project development businesses, with a particular focus on renewable energy, power, water and infrastructure projects across Saudi Arabia and international markets.

Role Purpose

The role covers the full project lifecycle, from tendering, bidding and project development through to financial close and claims. The position delivers legal counsel on contracts, transactions, financing and compliance for complex, multi-jurisdictional energy and infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

Tendering, EPC Contracts and Construction Legal Support

• Lead legal support for EPC and development tenders, including RFPs, contract reviews, qualifications, deviations, clarifications, risk registers and bid approvals.
• Draft, review and negotiate EPC, EP, construction, turnkey, supply and O&M contracts for power, water, renewable energy, transmission, distribution and industrial projects using FIDIC and bespoke forms.
• Advise on risk allocation, guarantees, liquidated damages, liability, indemnities, warranties, insurance, suspension and termination.
• Negotiate subcontracts, supply, consortium, JV and teaming agreements, ensuring alignment with main contracts.
• Support contract administration, including notices, variations, EOT, delays, payments, commissioning, close-out and remedies.
• Review bonds and parent company guarantees, including calls and defences.
• Advise on contractual risk mitigation and commercial negotiations.

Project Development and Investment Transactions

• Support development and investment in renewable energy, power, water and infrastructure from origination to financial close.
• Draft and negotiate joint development, JV, shareholders', consortium, cooperation and MoU agreements.
• Advise on PPAs, water purchase, implementation, concession, land, lease, grid connection and government support agreements.
• Support PPP, IPP and IWP bids and align project agreements with EPC and O&M contracts.
• Assist with project structuring, acquisitions, divestments, due diligence and corporate transactions.
• Identify legal risks and prepare investment committee inputs.

Project Finance and Financing Documentation

• Support project financing and negotiate financing and security documents with finance teams and external counsel.
• Review loan and direct agreements, equity contributions, sponsor support, guarantees and security packages.
• Support lender due diligence and fulfilment of conditions precedent.
• Advise on bankability and alignment of project, EPC and financing agreements.

Claims Management and Dispute Resolution

• Advise on construction claims, contractual disputes, arbitration and litigation.
• Support notices and EOT, variation, delay, disruption and other claims.
• Assess claims, counterclaims and exposure; recommend commercial resolutions.
• Lead negotiations, settlements and dispute avoidance.
• Coordinate external counsel, technical and quantum experts, and claims consultants.
• Enforce contractual rights and recover outstanding payments.

Corporate, Regulatory and Compliance

• Advise on Saudi and international laws covering procurement, local content, Saudization, contractor classification, licensing and foreign investment.
• Support corporate structuring, JVs, project companies and branches.
• Prepare corporate approvals, board resolutions, powers of attorney and related documents.
• Support anti-bribery, sanctions and export control compliance.
• Identify regulatory risks and advise on mitigation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor Degree in Legal Assisting.
• 5 to 10 years of work experience.

Skills & Competencies

• Commercial Acumen: Understand business objectives and provide solutions that enable transactions while protecting Alfanar's interests.
• Contractual Risk Management: Show strong judgment in identifying and managing legal, financial and contractual risk in complex EPC and development projects.
• Independent Decision-Making: Handle complex contractual matters with limited supervision and escalate material issues appropriately.
• Negotiation and Influencing: Negotiate effectively with clients, contractors, developers and other stakeholders to achieve commercially acceptable outcomes.
• Problem-Solving: Take a practical, solution-oriented approach to legal and commercial issues.
• Stakeholder Management: Build productive relationships with project teams, business leaders and external advisers.
• Accountability and Ownership: Take responsibility for assigned matters and ensure timely and effective completion.
• Collaboration: Work effectively with cross-functional and international teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Communication: Explain complex legal issues clearly and concisely to legal and non-legal stakeholders.
• Professional Integrity: Demonstrate sound judgment, confidentiality, ethical conduct and commitment to Alfanar's policies and values.
• Legal Research: Conduct thorough legal research to support advice and decision-making.
• Contract Law: Apply deep expertise in contract law across EPC, development and financing contexts.