Legal Counsel and Special Projects

IFFCO; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

IFFCO in Dubai seeks an experienced Legal Counsel to support drafting and vetting contracts, provide legal advisory, oversee mergers and acquisitions, and manage litigation and corporate matters across regions.

The role requires strong knowledge of corporate law, IP, and governance, with 10–12 years of experience including GCC exposure. Fluency in French is listed; English communication is essential for business teams.

Qualifications

• 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 in the Middle East, especially GCC, is advantageous.

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.

Skills

Contract drafting

Legal advisory

Mergers & acquisitions

Litigation support

Corporate governance

Contract management systems

Team management

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law

Master’s degree in Law (preferred)

Bar admission or practising licence (preferred)

Tools

Contract management systems

Job description

Job Title: Legal Counsel and Special Projects

Job Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Reference/ID: 1447450433

Job Description / Role:

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.

Key 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.

Experience Required:

• 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.

Education Qualifications:

• 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.

Skills Required:

• 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

Languages:

• French

Employment / Job Type: Full Time

Nationality: Any Nationality

About the Company:

A UAE based manufacturer and marketer of food and consumer products. Its portfolio includes edible oils, fats, snacks, sauces, frozen foods and household brands, supported by factories, distribution networks and export operations across the region.

Company Industry: Food and Beverage

Department / Functional Area: Legal

Closing Date: Not mentioned (apply as soon as possible)