Legal Counsel and Special Projects

IFFCO Group; Dubai; On-site; AED 350,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

The IFFCO Group is seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to support our legal team in drafting and vetting contracts, advising on corporate matters, and handling mergers and acquisitions across regions. The role involves coordinating with external counsel and managing regulatory compliance.

You will lead contract drafting, review major agreements, oversee litigation matters, and contribute to corporate governance and IP protection across GCC and other jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Drafting and vetting major corporate contracts and commercial agreements

Responsibilities

• Draft, review, and vet major corporate contracts and commercial agreements
• Provide timely and appropriate legal advice to business units
• Handle mergers and acquisitions documents and related corporate secretarial work
• Coordinate with external lawyers on litigation and due diligence
• Manage corporate governance, company incorporation, and regulatory filings
• Conduct legal research and keep management informed of regulatory changes
• Protect IP rights in coordination with trademark teams
• Help control legal service costs and manage external counsel relationship

Skills

Contract drafting

Contract review

Mergers & Acquisitions

Litigation support

Legal advisory

Regulatory compliance

English proficiency

Legal research

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Title: Legal Counsel and Special Projects

Job Summary

The Legal Counsel will provide all the needed support to our legal team in drafting and vetting of contracts and agreements, legal counseling, mergers & acquisitions, litigation, and corporate matters etc.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Drafting and Review of Contracts and Agreements: Draft, review, and vet major corporate contracts and commercial agreements, including lease and tenancy agreements, know-how licence agreements, and trademark usage agreements, to minimize legal risks and liabilities.
• Legal Advisory: Provide timely and appropriate legal advice and support to business units and entities across the IFFCO Group.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Draft joint venture agreements, share purchase agreements, and other transaction-related documents to reflect commercial objectives and protect IFFCO's interests. Handle related corporate and secretarial documentation and coordinate with external lawyers on legal due diligence.
• Litigation: Issue legal notices, prepare case summaries, draft pleadings, and coordinate with external lawyers on litigation matters involving civil, criminal, labour, property, consumer, tort, and trademark-related disputes, both for and against IFFCO Group companies.
• Corporate Matters: Handle company incorporations and the establishment of representative offices and branches across various countries. Manage corporate secretarial matters, including drafting board and shareholder meeting documents and resolutions, preparing memoranda and articles of association, and obtaining the necessary licences and regulatory approvals.
• Legal Research: Conduct legal research as required to provide effective and timely advice to management and business units. Keep management informed of amendments to applicable laws and regulations across the regions in which IFFCO operates and assess their potential impact on IFFCO Group businesses.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Protect the intellectual property rights of the IFFCO Group in coordination with the Group's trademark attorney in India.
• Legal Expenses: Help control legal service costs through the effective use of internal resources and external counsel.
• External Counsel Management: Maintain effective working relationships with external legal counsel.

KPIs

1. % of cases handled and successfully closed
2. Adherence to service level agreements (SLA) on contracting
3. Adherence to timelines as per Corporate Governance calendar
4. Zero faults in IPR and trademarks
5. Total resolution cost for litigation
6. % adherence to legal budget
7. Minimum legal liabilities and risk exposure to IFFCO in all regions

Work Experience Requirement

• 10 to 12 years of total legal experience, ideally 5 to 6 years in the GCC.
• A track record of independently managing legal matters in large, reputable organizations, preferably multinational companies in FMCG, retail, food, pharmaceutical, sales, logistics, or diversified holding groups.
• Strong expertise in high-value commercial transactions, contract drafting and vetting, compliance, and litigation.
• Broad knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, company incorporation, intellectual property rights, trademarks, and brand protection.
• Strong legal research skills, with the ability to interpret applicable laws and regulations and provide practical legal advice aligned with business needs and commercial objectives.
• Familiarity with customs matters and legal technology tools, including contract management systems, is an advantage.

Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Law from a recognized university. A Master's degree in Law is preferred.
• Admission to the Bar, a valid legal practising licence, or qualification as a practising attorney is preferred.
• Prior experience as a practising advocate or associate in a reputable law firm in the Middle East is an advantage, particularly where it includes court proceedings and litigation.
• Proficiency in English is required. Arabic or French proficiency is an advantage.

Competencies

Change Management Strategic Thinking Knowledge of Corporate Governance Practices Knowledge of IPR and Copyright Law Knowledge of Mergers and Acquisitions Self and Team Management Knowledge of Corporate Law Planning & Decision Making Ownership & Result Orientation