Legal Counsel

Who we are
Do you want to join our Geo-data revolution? Fugro's global reach and unique know-how will put the world at your fingertips. Our love of exploration and technical expertise help us to provide our clients with invaluable insights. We source and make sense of the most relevant Geo-data for their needs, so they can design, build and operate their assets more safely, sustainably and efficiently. But we're always looking for new talent to take the next step with us. For bright minds who enjoy meaningful work and want to push our pioneering spirit further. For individuals who can take the initiative but work well within a team.

Job Description
We are looking to recruit an experienced Arabic speaking Legal Counsel to join our Legal & Compliance team based in Dubai, UAE. In this role, you will act as a strategic business partner, providing high-level legal expertise and guidance to support the company's objectives and drive its growth. This role is critical in navigating complex legal landscapes, mitigating risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance, all while fostering innovation and enabling sound decision-making. As a key member of the Legal & Compliance team, the Senior Legal Counsel will align legal strategies with business goals, enhance corporate governance, and safeguard the company's interests, contributing to sustainable success and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

1. Legal strategy
   Support the Legal & Compliance team and the Regional Head of Legal & Compliance in developing, communicating and executing legal, compliance, regulatory and risk management strategies for the Middle East region.
2. Business partnering
   Maintain a focus across all business lines and service lines in the Middle East market to ensure comprehensive view of legal & compliance opportunities, best practices and risk.
3. Disputes resolution, investigations & litigations
   Responsible for managing the various disputes and coordinating litigation of Fugro affiliates in the Middle East. If needed, attend court cases as a representative of Fugro company(ies) and/or as a witness. Follow-up and monitor of court cases with the local lawyers and update the internal stakeholders accordingly. Review pleadings/memorandums. Collaborate with the Regional Head of Legal & Compliance, Country Manager, Finance Manager and Legal team members of the Middle East region to follow-up litigation cases and to efficiently resolve lawsuits. Define strategy for specific disputes and investigations. Managing disputes and investigation.
4. Contract Law
   Draft (from templates and/or from scratch), review, amend, revise, negotiate and terminate any and all commercial contracts, agreements and legal documents of any nature. Provide business-oriented legal advice on agreements/contracts directly to the relevant business line/service line or functions. Collaborate with and facilitate cross-team decision-making with the Procurement Team, the relevant business line or function and/or any other relevant internal stakeholder. Drive contract lifecycle from drafting to signature through completion of the full negotiation process till signature. Maintain a deep understanding of local laws and regulations and group legal requirements, legal risk and liability. Interpret contracts and advise business lines/service lines/functions on contractual responsibilities and risks mitigation. Drive contract and other Legal processes standardisation and automation.
5. Corporate law & commercial law
   Support Fugro affiliates on all corporate and commercial matters by providing business legal advice.
6. Compliance
   Continuously monitor compliance with Fugro's purpose, Fugro's Code of Conduct, Fugro's processes and policies and local laws and regulations and advise management accordingly. Roll out Compliance Program and trainings in the Middle East region develops and delivers compliance trainings upon specific needs of the organisation.
7. Legal risk management
   Protect Fugro by reducing/minimising the risks and closing the gaps and help Fugro's affiliates management to execute flawlessly its business objectives. Develop, implement and manage a strategic plan for the provision of legal services in accordance with and in support of business objectives. Provide business legal advice, assistance and support. Liaise with relevant departments to ensure that where legal risks have been identified, appropriate courses of actions to close the gaps have been taken. Provide risk management advice to internal stakeholders.
8. Intellectual property
   Coordinate with the global IP department based in the Netherlands the protection, enforcement and defense of the intellectual property rights (IPR) of Fugro in the Middle East & India region.
9. Data protection
   Implement data protection policies and procedures that comply with relevant data protection laws (e.g., GDPR etc). Ensure these policies are communicated effectively across the organization. Monitor and ensure compliance with data protection regulations at local, national, and international levels. Conduct regular audits and assessments to identify compliance gaps and address them promptly. Develop and deliver training programs to educate employees on data protection principles, their responsibilities, and the importance of safeguarding data. Foster a culture of data protection awareness within the organization.
10. Antitrust law
    Provide legal advice on antitrust and competition matters. Manage risk assessment. Lead internal due diligence, audit and investigations. Roll out compliance program and training.
11. Labour law
    Act as Legal business partner for HR department (legal advice on employment contract, termination, dismissal, disciplinary sanctions, labour litigation etc).

What Skills & Experience Will You Have

1. Master's degree in law (business law/corporate Law/commercial law)
2. Generalist in-house legal counsel
3. Admitted to the Bar Association
4. Fluent in English and Arabic is a must
5. Between 6-8 years of experience in a similar position
6. Broad expertise across various areas of law, including corporate, commercial, contracts, compliance, corporate governance etc.
7. Law practice in a law firm or as in-house legal counsel in a multinational company or a combination of both
8. Experience working in offshore projects/marine/ EPC/ engineering companies is highly preferred.

What We Offer
Fugro provides a positive work environment as well as projects that will satisfy the most curious minds. We also offer great opportunities to stretch and develop yourself. By giving you the freedom to grow faster, we think you'll be able to do what you do best, better. Which should help us to find fresh ways to get to know the earth better. We encourage you to be yourself at Fugro. So bring your energy and enthusiasm, your keen eye and can-do attitude. But bring your questions and opinions too. Because to be the world's leading Geo-data specialist, we need the strength in depth that comes from a diverse, driven team.

Our view on diversity, equity and inclusion
At Fugro, our people are our superpower. Their variety of viewpoints, experiences, knowledge and talents give us collective strength. Distinctive beliefs and diverse backgrounds are therefore welcome, but discrimination, harassment, inappropriate behaviour and unfair treatment are not. Everybody is to be well-supported and treated fairly. And everyone must be valued and have their voice heard. Crucially, we believe that getting this right brings a sense of belonging, of safety and acceptance, that makes us feel more connected to Fugro's purpose together create a safe and liveable world and to each other.

Disclaimer For Recruitment Agencies
Fugro does not accept any unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies. Acquisition to Fugro Recruitment or any Fugro employee is not appreciated.