PCFC - Senior Legal Researcher

Dubai Government; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Dubai Government's Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation seeks a legal affairs professional with at least two years' experience and a bachelor’s degree in Law or Legal Studies. The role covers legal research, contract review, drafting MOAs for licensing units, and supporting negotiations and compliance across the organisation.

You will collaborate with legal advisers and internal stakeholders, manage contracts, assess risks, and ensure proper documentation and audit readiness in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Two years’ experience in legal affairs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law or Legal Studies or related discipline.
• Experience in contracts, agreements or related legal matters is preferred.
• Qualification in Contract Management or CLM certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive legal research on case law, legislation, regulations, and precedents to support strategy.
• Collaborate with advisers and departments to support research for litigation, negotiations and compliance.
• Draft and update MOAs for PCFC licensing units (Trakhees, JAFZA) during corporate incorporations.
• Assist in resolving complaints about PCFC operations with internal stakeholders.
• Analyze complex contracts to assess risks and identify improvement areas.
• Provide research-based insights for negotiations and help develop strategies.
• Ensure contracts comply with laws and standards; monitor regulatory developments.
• Monitor contract performance, spot breaches, and recommend risk mitigations.
• Maintain organized contract records for audit and reference.

Skills

Legal research

Contract negotiations

Regulatory compliance

Record management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Law or Legal Studies

Tools

MOA drafting

Legal research tools

Job description

About Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation:

The Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) was officially established in 2001, under the authority of the Dubai Government. There are a number of entities and institutions operating under its umbrella, including Port Rashid, Jebel Ali Port, Al Hamriya Port, which are managed by Dubai Ports Authority, in addition to the Department of Planning and Development - Trakhees, the Dubai Maritime Authority and the Office of the Marine Agency for Wooden Dhows, as well as the investment arm and security arm of the corporation, represented by Investment Department and Security Department.

• Conduct comprehensive and complex legal research across a wide range of matters, including case law, legislation, regulations and legal precedents. Provide detailed analysis and summaries to support legal strategy and informed decision-making.
• Work closely with legal advisers, lawyers and relevant departments to provide research support in relation to litigation, contract negotiations and regulatory compliance.
• Support corporate incorporation transactions, including the drafting and updating of Memoranda of Association (MOAs) for PCFC’s licensing units, including Trakhees and JAFZA.
• Address and support the resolution of complaints relating to PCFC’s operations and decisions, in collaboration with relevant internal stakeholders.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of complex contractual terms and conditions, assess potential legal risks and implications arising from contractual provisions, and review and interpret existing contracts to identify issues and areas for improvement.
• Support contract negotiations by providing research-based insights and recommendations, and assist in developing appropriate negotiation strategies.
• Ensure that contracts comply with applicable laws, regulations and relevant industry standards. Remain up to date with legislative and regulatory developments that may affect contractual terms or practices.
• Monitor and evaluate contract performance to ensure compliance with agreed terms and conditions. Identify and address potential breaches or instances of non-compliance, and provide recommendations to mitigate risks associated with contractual obligations and liabilities.
• Maintain accurate and organised records of all contract-related documentation, ensuring that records are complete, properly maintained and readily accessible for audit and reference purposes.

Required (Minimum Experience):

A minimum of two years’ experience in legal affairs.

Required (Minimum Qualification):

A bachelor’s degree in Law, Legal Studies or a related discipline.

Preferred Experience:

Experience in a legal role involving contracts, agreements or other related legal matters.

Preferred Qualifications:

A recognised qualification in Contract Management and/or Certified Legal Manager (CLM) certification. A professional legal qualification or admission to practise as a lawyer is desirable.