Legal Counsel - Construction

Loba Group; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Loba Group in Abu Dhabi seeks a Legal Counsel - Construction with deep experience in procurement, contract drafting, and project delivery to support its development activities. The role emphasizes FIDIC-based contracts, claims management, and dispute avoidance across infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified lawyer with 3–5 years post-qualification experience, strong construction practice, and a background with major projects or top-tier firms.

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in a recognised common (or civil) law jurisdiction.
• Minimum 3-5 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience at a leading international or top-tier regional law firm.
• Strong construction and projects practice background.
• Experience with FIDIC forms and major development projects.
• Experience advising developers, contractors, infrastructure sponsors or project owners.

Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate construction and project-related agreements.
• Advise on procurement strategies and contractual risk allocation.
• Support project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advise on FIDIC and bespoke construction contracts.
• Review consultancy agreements, contractor appointments, subcontracting arrangements and supply agreements.
• Provide legal support on project variations, extensions of time, delay claims and performance disputes.
• Assist with dispute avoidance strategies and management of contentious matters.
• Coordinate with external counsel and claims consultants where required.
• Advise management on construction risk, project governance and contract administration best practices.
• Develop standard construction contract templates and guidance materials.
• Support subsidiary landscaping, infrastructure, marine services and construction materials business units where required.

Skills

Contract drafting

FIDIC contracts

Construction law

Dispute management

Negotiation

Project delivery

Risk assessment

Education

Law degree

Qualified lawyer

Job description

The Legal Counsel - Construction will be responsible for providing specialist legal support on all construction, infrastructure and project delivery matters across the Group's development activities. The role will focus on procurement, project execution, contract drafting and administration (especially FIDIC based), claims management and dispute avoidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review and negotiate construction and project-related agreements.
• Advise on procurement strategies and contractual risk allocation.
• Support project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Advise on FIDIC and bespoke construction contracts.
• Review consultancy agreements, contractor appointments, subcontracting arrangements and supply agreements.
• Provide legal support on project variations, extensions of time, delay claims and performance disputes.
• Assist with dispute avoidance strategies and management of contentious matters.
• Coordinate with external counsel and claims consultants where required.
• Advise management on construction risk, project governance and contract administration best practices.
• Develop standard construction contract templates and guidance materials.
• Support subsidiary landscaping, infrastructure, marine services and construction materials business units where required.

Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in a recognised common (or civil) law jurisdiction.
• Minimum 3-5 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience at a leading international or top-tier regional law firm.
• Strong construction and projects practice background.
• Experience with FIDIC forms and major development projects.
• Experience advising developers, contractors, infrastructure sponsors or project owners.
• Familiarity with dispute management and construction claims.
• Arabic language skills beneficial but not essential.
• Specialist construction law expertise (front end construction preferred).
• Strong contract drafting and negotiation skills - experience with FIDIC contracts required.
• Practical understanding of project delivery.
• Ability to identify and manage legal and commercial risks.