Senior Legal Counsel- New Business Ventures

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Senior Legal Counsel- New Business Ventures

  • Location:

    United Arab Emirates

  • Contact:

    Salem Mubarak

  • Contact email:

    salem@paragon-ge.com

  • Job ref:

    246

  • Published:

    11 days ago

  • Expiry date:

    2025-01-09


Paragon GE is looking for a Senior Legal Counsel- New Business Ventures for a staff position with an Oil & Gas company in the UAE.

The Senior Legal Counsel must have experience working for an International Oil Company in the Upstream sector of the Oil & Gas industry. Candidates must also have experience of working in the GCC and have exposure to GCC law and regulations. Candidates must also have a strong background in Oil & Gas M&A activities.

The Senior Legal Counsel must have a minimum 10 years of relevant experience with a significant portion being in Upstream Oil & Gas.

Position Title: Senior Legal Counsel
Staff or Temp: Staff
Expected package: To be discussed
Location: UAE   
Reports to: General Counsel

Job Purpose
Provide senior Legal & Trade Compliance support (in particular to COO-Non-Operated Assets and NBV Departments) through knowledge and awareness of upstream oil and gas corporate, commercial, operational and M&A/ transactional issues in the MENA and other jurisdictions.

Responsibilities,
Upstream Operational, Corporate and JV Management / New Ventures Support
  • Support Senior Management, Department Managers and other company personnel on all upstream Legal matters relating to the company.
  • Continuously assess Legal, Regulatory and Trade Compliance-related risks vis-à-vis JV management and corporate activities and advise Senior Management accordingly.
  • Ensure the continued establishment and adaption of the Company’s corporate structure to align with the Company’s operational strategy and objectives.
  • Support the Company’s operational strategy and objectives through knowledge and awareness of upstream oil and gas, corporate, commercial and JV/shareholders’ issues and applicable laws and regulations in MENA jurisdictions.
  • Coordinate with Senior Management on all matters above and refer matters to the Audit Committee, as appropriate.
  • Implement practical, cost-effective solutions to Legal, Regulatory and Trade Compliance issues that arise.
  • Support the Finance and Procurement Departments to manage vendor payment issues and banking relationships.
  • Manage the interface with the Company’s banking partners in respect of compliance-related payment and legal operational issues.
  • Manage the interface with regulators and/or authorities in relation to the Company’s compliance with all applicable Laws.
  • Manage all corporate administration matters pertaining to the Company’s corporate entities.

Trade Compliance Framework and Controls
  • Develop and implement adequate controls in the key area of Trade Compliance to ensure compliance with all applicable trade sanctions and related corporate, regulatory and legislative requirements in countries of operation (together “Laws”).
  • Develop relevant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all Laws.
  • Develop and administer automated procedures and controls to facilitate the efficient compliance with all Laws.
  • Develop and administer assurance review tools to assure continued compliance with all Laws.
  • Manage all corporate administration matters pertaining to the Company’s corporate entities.
  • Develop and administer Trade Compliance training modules across the business.

Investigations and Due Diligence
  • Manage reviews and investigations relating to non-compliance with Laws and/or any other matters directed by Senior Management and/or the Audit Committee.  Support and coordinate with Business Ethics & Compliance regarding Code of Conduct and policies.  Manage and coordinate due diligence reviews.
  • Manage reviews and investigations relating to non-compliance with Laws and/or other matters directed by Senior Management and/or the Audit Committee.
  • Coordinate with Internal Audit investigations and reviews and ensure close-out of all action items.
  • Coordinate and manage due diligence exercises of third parties where significant “red flags” are present. Coordinate with the NBV, Finance and Procurement Departments and relevant Senior Management in relation to such exercises.
  • Advise upon and routinely review the results of all other due diligence exercises conducted by the Company.

Compliance Function Management:
  • Manage the administration of the Compliance function in all respects to ensure the delivery of timely and competent support to the organization supporting the General Counsel.
  • Develop and support junior and support staff within the Legal and Compliance Department to administer the Trade Compliance Program.
  • Manage Compliance related costs and expenditure within the Legal and Compliance budget.

Job Factors     

Minimum Education Level Required
A Law degree    

Certificate:   Qualified to practice law in civil or common law jurisdiction

The minimum years of experience required
Minimum 10 years of experience in at least one of the following practice areas:  Upstream oil and gas, corporate/M&A, project development experience, commercial contracts, Trade Compliance.  Experience within the oil and gas industry. In particular, knowledge of and experience in managing upstream corporate, project development, JV/shareholders’ matters, commercial issues in the MENA jurisdictions is highly desirable.

Internal Customer
CEO, Senior Management, Department managers and other company personnel.  Advice and assistance to the Audit Committee and Board as directed or requested.

External Customer
Regulators and legislative authorities; host governments; external lawyers; banking partners; and the Company’s contractors.

Mobility / Travel             
The operating environment of the Senior Legal Counsel is largely office-based at  head office in Dubai.  However, the Senior Legal Counsel is required to travel frequently to areas of operation outside of the UAE—in both office and field locations—to provide training, conduct assurance reviews and investigations, manage operational issues and generally engage in all activity as may be required to further the implementation and administration of Trade Compliance Program and the Company’s strategy and objectives.

Essential capabilities are:
  • Native or fluent spoken and written business and legal English.
  • Based in the UAE and/or has significant local market and MENA experience.
  • Excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills and the ability to meaningfully discuss legal concepts with non-legal technical staff.
  • The ability to think commercially and pragmatically, and to give advice in the context of the economic, geographic and political issues relevant to our business – our lawyers can see the “big picture” of our business.
  • Agility, the ability to adapt to changing project conditions and think quickly.
  • Experience of working collaboratively and successfully in multicultural teams, and possibly in remote teams spread across different countries. Willingness to help out within the broader legal team and be proactive about understanding when help is needed.
  • A mature, calm manner and the ability to undertake short-duration business travel.