Senior Legal Associate - Sandbox Dubai

DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION; Dubai; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental innovation foundation in Dubai is seeking a Senior Legal Associate for the Sandbox Dubai initiative. The role involves developing regulatory frameworks, conducting legal research, and providing advisory on compliance and risk management. Candidates should have a law degree, strong expertise in Dubai's legal landscape, and 5-8 years of relevant experience. Fluency in Arabic and English is essential, alongside project management skills in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on impactful projects

Dynamic and diverse work environment

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in regulatory compliance and legal analysis.
• Deep understanding of Dubai's legal and regulatory climate.
• Proficiency in preparing legal documents and regulatory submissions.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop adaptive regulatory frameworks for Sandbox Dubai.
• Conduct regulatory research and draft policy recommendations.
• Advise on legal structures for projects and liaise with authorities.
• Monitor changes in laws affecting Sandbox operations.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Legal analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Policy recommendations

Project management

Fluent in Arabic & English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law

Master’s degree in Law or Public Policy

Tools

MS Project

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Join to apply for the Senior Legal Associate - Sandbox Dubai role at DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

Join to apply for the Senior Legal Associate - Sandbox Dubai role at DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) aims to realize the wise vision of Dubai’s leadership to institutionalize the envisioned future and forward-thinking methodologies, while positioning Dubai as the leading city of the future. In partnership with its local and global partners from governments, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs, DFF drives joint efforts to collectively imagine, design, and execute the best possible future for humanity.

Under the supervision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DFF, the DFF runs and oversees many futureproofing projects and initiatives, such as the Museum of the Future, Area 2071, The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution UAE, Dubai Future Accelerators, One Million Arab Coders, Dubai Future Academy, Dubai Future Solutions, Dubai Future Labs, Dubai Future Forum, and Sandbox Dubai. DFF’s efforts to share knowledge, adopt innovation, support entrepreneurs and innovative startups, build capacity, and promote forward-thinking and foresight principles contribute to Dubai’s ambitions to be a role model for the cities of the future through the power of unlimited imagination, innovation, foresight and disruptive mindset.

For more information on the initiatives, projects, and programs of Dubai Future Foundation, please visit the website : www.dubaifuture.ae

Where does this role fit into the bigger picture?

Dubai Future Foundation recently launched Sandbox Dubai, a Regulatory Sandbox that centers around key themes such as : Artificial Intelligence, Health Tech, Green technology, and Real Estate technology. We would like to invite talented and experienced individuals to join our dynamic team as we embark on this journey.

As we embrace the challenges and opportunities of the modern regulatory landscape, we are seeking talented individuals who are eager to contribute their expertise and creativity to the Sandbox Dubai initiatives. We aim to explore novel solutions, foster collaboration across sectors, and pave the way for transformative changes that benefit both consumers and industries of Dubai.

In the broader context of Sandbox Dubai, the Sr. Legal Associate reports to the Director of Sandbox Dubai and will collaborate closely with the Sandbox Director as well as the team leads in Policy, Strategy, Partnerships and Operations.

As a Sr. Legal Associate for Sandbox Dubai, you will be responsible for developing adaptive regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with compliance and enable experimentation within Dubai’s evolving legal landscape. You will conduct regulatory research, draft policy recommendations and engage stakeholders. Leveraging your deep understanding of local laws and international best practice, you will advise on legal structures for novel projects, draft foundational agreements, support in liaising with regulatory authorities, and manage legal risk across all aspects of Sandbox Dubai’s operations. Your contributions will directly help position Dubai as a testbed for future-oriented technologies and regulatory approaches.

Regulatory and Legal Advisory

• Conduct comprehensive analysis on UAE federal laws, Dubai-specific regulations, and international best practices that affect Sandbox Dubai’s operations.
• Draft and review legal instruments such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), sandbox participation agreements, Authorizations / Minimum Viable Licenses (MVLs), and exemption letters.
• Advise on the legal viability of proposed sandbox experiments and assist in securing required buy-in from regulators.
• Monitor changes in applicable laws and assess their implications for ongoing sandbox projects.
• Ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g., PDPL) and ethical standards in all sandbox initiatives.
• Coordinate with external legal counsel and project manage deliverables.
• Collaborate with policy and strategy teams to design legally sound sandbox frameworks.
• Offer legal support during design, implementation, and management of sandbox experiments, including advising on IP, data protection, and privacy matters
• Assist in the evaluation of proposals, providing insights on legal risk and compliance throughout the selection and operation phases.

Stakeholder Engagement

Support the liaising between Sandbox Dubai and key regulators, government bodies, and private sector participants.

Support the facilitation of legal workshops or consultations with stakeholders.

Draft or review position papers, legal memos, and consultation responses related to sandbox themes.

Policy Recommendations and Risk Management

Develop policy recommendations, contribute to new law proposals, and advise on potential amendments to existing regulations informed by results and learnings from sandbox activities.

Identify legal risks and provide mitigation strategies for sandbox operations.

Support dispute resolution or escalations, in coordination with relevant DFF departments.

Maintain an ongoing knowledge base of policy, regulatory, and legal developments relevant to Sandbox Dubai

Why this role is important?

The Sr. Legal Associate will play a critical role in shaping and enabling Sandbox Dubai’s regulatory experiments. By ensuring legal clarity, managing regulatory risks, and facilitating effective legal communication between Sandbox Dubai and government bodies, the Sr. Legal Associate will help create a secure and agile environment for testing emerging technologies, services, and business models in line with Dubai's innovation agenda.

What Dubai Future Foundation offers?

We will offer you a unique opportunity to work with passionate people, support shapers of the future as well as work that has an impact, not only on the organization or the UAE but all of humankind.

You will have the chance to work on exciting and new projects, work in a highly diverse and fast paced environment that fosters creativity, disruptive ideas and innovation.

Who we’re looking for?

Bachelor’s degree in Law (required).

Master’s degree in Law, Public Policy, or related field (preferred).

Minimum 5-8 years of experience in regulatory compliance, legal analysis, and Dubai / UAE regulatory engagement for innovation, technology, or policy-driven projects.

Deep understanding of Dubai’s legal and regulatory climate, especially in technology and innovation.

Demonstrated ability to interpret, draft, and negotiate complex legal documents and agreements in both Arabic & English

Strong project management, organization, and communication skills; experience managing multiple concurrent projects.

Proven ability to engage with and advise diverse stakeholders, including government entities, industry players, startups, and external legal advisors.

Proficiency in preparing legal documents, regulatory submissions, and policy briefs.

Familiarity with project management and data analysis tools (e.g. MS Project, PowerPoint, Excel) is advantageous.

Strong analytical skills, able to synthesize complex issues into actionable legal and policy guidance.

Fluent in reading, writing & presenting in both Arabic & English.

Seniority level

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Job function

Legal

Industries

Government Administration

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