Legal Counsel (UAEN)

Company Description

Job Description

**Key Accountabilities**

• Provide transactional support to Masdar in deal execution including drafting/reviewing documents, preparing legal documentation throughout the investment lifecycle, supporting/leading negotiations.
• Support the provision of legal and regulatory advice and direction to facilitate the making of informed decisions while managing key legal and regulatory risks.
• Provide awareness and answer queries of a legal nature in relation to legal documentation, templates and legal issues arising in the day-to-day operation of the business.
• Provide advice on matters of UAE law, including employment law, company law, laws related to the energy sector and other relevant laws and regulations
• Support the Senior Legal Counsel and the Legal & Compliance function in relation to corporate governance matters across Masdar entities, subsidiaries and portfolio companies.
• Assist with the preparation, review and coordination of board, board committee and shareholder documentation, including agendas, resolutions, minutes, written resolutions and supporting papers.
• Support the tracking and implementation of board and committee decisions, including follow‑up on action items and maintenance of corporate records.
• Assist with entity management activities, including constitutional documents, powers of attorney, authorised signatories, and other corporate authorisations.
• Provide support on Delegation of Authority (DoA) and approval requirements, including identifying applicable approval routes and escalation requirements, under the guidance of senior team members.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, external counsel and corporate service providers to support governance, regulatory and corporate compliance requirements.
• Support the maintenance and orderly filing of governance records, registers and statutory documentation in accordance with internal policies and applicable laws.
• Review and negotiate legal documentation and contracts in both Arabic and English, and assess legal and regulatory risks, with guidance from senior team members.
• Identifying and assessing legal and commercial risks of transactions and developing action plans and solutions for legal and regulatory issues.
• Draft and review documentation such as board, board committee, shareholder, powers of attorney and other corporate documentation related to entities owned by Masdar.
• Assist in the preparation of litigation or court proceedings in the UAE and other jurisdictions, where necessary.
• Participate in internal and external meetings, as required, to discuss the legal aspects of other business function operations.
• Engage proactively with the assigned business function to gather information, understand needs, provide advice and set expectations.
• Manage and monitor external legal counsel, including reviewing output.
• **Qualifications** **Preferred Qualifications:**
• A bachelor’s degree holder in law from a regionally or internationally reputable university.
• Admission to practice in the UAE or an internationally recognised jurisdiction

Preferred Experience

• At least 2-3 years of post-qualification experience preferably in a regional or international law firm

**Job-Specific****Skills:**

• Ability to review and draft contracts and communications in English and Arabic and fluency in spoken English and Arabic
• This role is **based** in Abu Dhabi, requirement to be in the premises of the offices
• Strong theoretical legal knowledge
• Basic knowledge of the legal, legislative and regulatory environment of relevant geographic markets – locally and globally – as related to renewables
• Good knowledge of the UAE’s laws, regulations and legal reporting standards
• Knowledge of contract drafting, review, negotiation, interpretation and management
• Ability to lead negotiations related to familiar issues and matters with guidance from senior team members, or attending complex negotiations with team members
• Ability to clearly justify legal position and form legal arguments
• Strong communication and influencing skills, and has the ability to persuade and communicate in a concise and effective manner
• Ability to identify legal risks and exposure
• Ability to coordinate and engage effectively with internal or external stakeholders
• Ability to pre-empt and escalate issues at the right time
• Understands problems and has the ability to form basic hypotheses
• Ability to present effectively to internal and external stakeholders
• Strong research skills and ability to gather and assess the right information at the right time in relation to legal matters and precedents
• Good commercial acumen
• Strong work ethic and ability to work effectively under pressure
• Growth mindset – keen to develop legal and commercial skills and play an active role in the Masdar legal team

Additional Information