Legal Specialist

Sharjah Education Academy; Sharjah; On-site; AED 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institution in UAE is seeking a Legal Affairs Specialist to support compliance, manage legal documents, and liaise with regulatory bodies. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Law and at least 5 years of experience in legal compliance. Proficiency in English and Arabic, alongside strong attention to detail and documentation management skills, is essential. This role involves drafting legal correspondence, managing audits, and maintaining a culture of compliance within the academy.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in legal affairs and compliance roles.
• Knowledge of UAE legal frameworks and regulatory standards is preferred.
• Ability to draft and review various legal documents.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and analyze complex legal documents and contracts.
• Draft and review legal correspondence and formal communications.
• Support audit engagements by addressing legal issues identified.
• Review contracts, agreements, MoUs, and related documents; identify risks and obligations; and provide legal input for compliance and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate and manage the audit process within a legal framework, including scheduling, planning, documentation collection, and oversight of audit-related deliverables.
• Collaborate with external auditors, regulatory bodies, and authorities to support legal and compliance requirements.
• Maintain accurate legal records, archives, and document control systems, ensuring confidentiality.
• Prepare periodic reports and progress updates on Legal Affairs Office activities.

Skills

Attention to detail

Excellent communication in English and Arabic

Documentation management

Legal research skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law or Business Administration

JD / Master’s in Law preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Legal research tools like LexisNexis

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret and analyze complex legal documents, contracts, and regulatory requirements, providing inputs to support audit and compliance activities.
• Respond to legal inquiries related to Academy operations and coordinate internal responses in line with institutional standards and approved guidance.
• Draft and review legal correspondence, memoranda, internal decisions, supporting documentation, and formal communications issued by the Academy.
• Review contracts, agreements, MoUs, and related documents; identify risks and obligations; and provide legal input and recommendations for compliance and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate and manage the audit process within a legal framework, including scheduling, planning, documentation collection, and oversight of audit-related legal deliverables.
• Support audit engagements by addressing legal issues identified during audits and recommending appropriate corrective actions in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Liaise with internal departments to gather legal and non-legal information as required for investigations, disputes, and compliance assessments.
• Collaborate with external auditors, regulatory bodies, and relevant authorities to support legal and compliance requirements, including follow-ups and official submissions where required.
• Conduct legal research and maintain awareness of legislative updates and regulatory changes relevant to SEA operations.
• Collect, analyze, and consolidate data and documentation related to relevant legislation, compliance controls, and institutional legal requirements.
• Prepare legal documentation related to cases, disputes, and appeals, including summaries, memoranda, supporting evidence, and case-related files.
• Maintain accurate legal records, archives, and document control systems, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with internal policies and applicable UAE requirements.
• Prepare periodic reports and progress updates on Legal Affairs Office activities and matters as required.
• Support the Director of Legal Affairs & Internal Audit by providing critical coordination and legal assistance for risk mitigation and strengthening institutional compliance culture.
• Facilitate effective communication between internal stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of legal and compliance concerns.
• Perform any other related duties or ad hoc assignments as directed by the line manager or the Academy.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Business Administration, or a related field (JD / Master’s in Law is preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in legal affairs, compliance, governance, and related institutional roles.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and organizational skills are essential for managing multiple tasks and deadlines effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication in English and Arabic (Required).

Legal & Regulatory Knowledge (Preferred)

• Knowledge or exposure to UAE legal frameworks and regulatory standards, including Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (Labor Relations).
• Familiarity with UAE commercial law, governance principles, institutional compliance requirements, and legal documentation standards.
• Understanding of data protection and privacy compliance (UAE and/or global), including standards such as GDPR (as relevant).
• Experience in analyzing contracts, legal documents, and compliance requirements, with the ability to identify risks and legal gaps.
• Ability to draft and review legal documents, reports, and institutional decisions with strong attention to detail.
• Strong documentation management skills including archiving, case file management, and confidentiality controls.
• Competence in Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word and Excel) and confidence using audit/compliance documentation tools.
• Strong legal research and regulatory interpretation skills; proficiency with legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw) is an advantage.
• High integrity with strict confidentiality in handling sensitive documents and information.
• Excellent time management and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and commitment to quality.

Sharjah Education Academy aims to spread a culture of continuous improvement in all educational institutions.