Legal Counsel

Averda; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

Averda is seeking a Legal Counsel to provide day-to-day commercial and legal support across its Middle East and Africa operations. You will draft, review, and negotiate contracts, advise on risk, and support governance and compliance across jurisdictions.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, you will handle a broad caseload including corporate governance, disputes, and transactions, coordinating with external counsel to deliver practical, commercially viable solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.
• Admission to practice law in a recognised jurisdiction.
• Approximately 6–8 years' post‑qualification legal experience within a law firm or in‑house corporate environment.
• Solid experience in commercial contracting, with exposure to corporate law and governance matters.
• Experience supporting business operations across multiple jurisdictions is an advantage, preferably within the Middle East and Africa.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, supplier and procurement agreements, service agreements and confidentiality agreements.
• Advise business teams on contractual risk and practical solutions that support commercial objectives.
• Use and maintain standard contract templates and playbooks, escalating novel or high‑risk terms to the Chief Legal Officer.
• Provide legal support throughout the contract lifecycle, including variations, renewals and terminations.
• Provide clear, commercially focused legal advice to country and functional teams on day-to-day operational, legal and regulatory questions.
• Identify and flag legal and regulatory risks arising from business activities and recommend practical mitigations.
• Monitor legal and regulatory developments in assigned jurisdictions and help translate changes into practical guidance for the business.
• Support the roll‑out of Group legal policies, procedures and training.
• Support corporate governance requirements across assigned entities, including maintaining statutory records and corporate documentation.
• Prepare board and shareholder resolutions, corporate approvals and related governance documentation.
• Assist with statutory filings, licensing and corporate registration requirements across relevant jurisdictions.
• Support the establishment, restructuring or dissolution of legal entities as needed.
• Support the management of external legal counsel on assigned matters, helping ensure cost-effective and commercially focused advice.
• Assist with the coordination of litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters, including gathering information and preparing case materials.
• Support investigations, insurance claims and employment‑related legal matters as required.
• Support due diligence, documentation and transaction workstreams on acquisitions, joint ventures and other corporate transactions.
• Assist with integration or restructuring activity following completion of transactions.
• Build working relationships with country management and functional teams to understand business needs and provide responsive legal support.
• Deliver timely, practical advice that supports operational decision‑making.

Skills

Fluent English

Fluent Arabic

Commercial contracting

Drafting

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Education

Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Admission to practice law

Job description

#WeAreAverda

About Averda

Averda is a leading global provider of integrated waste management and environmental services, delivering innovative, sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most complex waste challenges. Operating across multiple markets, we are committed to transforming waste into value while safeguarding the environment, supporting our communities, and driving operational excellence.

Overview

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Legal Counsel provides day-to-day commercial and legal support across the Company's operations in the Middle East and Africa. The role works closely with country and functional teams to deliver practical legal advice, manage contracting activity and support governance and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.

The Legal Counsel acts as a hands-on legal adviser to the business, handling a broad caseload of commercial, regulatory and governance matters, and supporting the Chief Legal Officer on larger or more complex initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Contracts

• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial agreements, including customer contracts, supplier and procurement agreements, service agreements and confidentiality agreements.


• Advise business teams on contractual risk and practical solutions that support commercial objectives.


• Use and maintain standard contract templates and playbooks, escalating novel or high‑risk terms to the Chief Legal Officer.


• Provide legal support throughout the contract lifecycle, including variations, renewals and terminations.

Legal Advice & Risk Management

• Provide clear, commercially focused legal advice to country and functional teams on day-to-day operational, legal and regulatory questions.


• Identify and flag legal and regulatory risks arising from business activities and recommend practical mitigations.


• Monitor legal and regulatory developments in assigned jurisdictions and help translate changes into practical guidance for the business.


• Support the roll‑out of Group legal policies, procedures and training.

Corporate Governance & Company Secretarial

• Support corporate governance requirements across assigned entities, including maintaining statutory records and corporate documentation.


• Prepare board and shareholder resolutions, corporate approvals and related governance documentation.


• Assist with statutory filings, licensing and corporate registration requirements across relevant jurisdictions.


• Support the establishment, restructuring or dissolution of legal entities as needed.

Disputes & External Counsel

• Support the management of external legal counsel on assigned matters, helping ensure cost-effective and commercially focused advice.


• Assist with the coordination of litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution matters, including gathering information and preparing case materials.


• Support investigations, insurance claims and employment‑related legal matters as required.

Corporate Transactions

• Support due diligence, documentation and transaction workstreams on acquisitions, joint ventures and other corporate transactions.


• Assist with integration or restructuring activity following completion of transactions.

Business Partnership

• Build working relationships with country management and functional teams to understand business needs and provide responsive legal support.


• Deliver timely, practical advice that supports operational decision‑making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent legal qualification.


• Admission to practice law in a recognised jurisdiction.


• Approximately 6–8 years' post‑qualification legal experience within a law firm or in‑house corporate environment.


• Solid experience in commercial contracting, with exposure to corporate law and governance matters.


• Experience supporting business operations across multiple jurisdictions is an advantage, preferably within the Middle East and Africa.


• Some exposure to managing or working alongside external legal counsel.


• Exposure to corporate transactions such as M&A, restructuring or joint ventures is advantageous.


• Solid drafting and negotiation skills.


• High levels of integrity, discretion and professionalism.


• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.

Key Competencies

• Commercial Acumen


• Practical Problem‑Solving


• Risk Assessment & Attention to Detail

If you think you have what it takes to make the world a cleaner place, if you can see value where others see waste and if you aren’t afraid of a challenge, why not start your journey with us today.

Averda welcomes candidates from all backgrounds, actively promotes diversity in the workforce, and is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED*