Legal Counsel, Islamic Banking

Company Description

Now it’s your time to join the #1 bank in the Middle East and one of the most prestigious financial companies in the region. Shaking up the world of banking requires a lot of smarts and skill. We’re looking for the brightest and best to help us reach our goals and we’ll also help you reach yours. Your success is our success as you grow stronger in your career. Join us and leave a legacy of your own, as a pioneer in both the company and the industry.

Job Description

The role holder assists the Head of Legal and the Senior Legal Counsel for Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking to manage legal risk in all the geographies where FAB operates in relation to the relevant business activities in accordance with FAB Group legal policies and procedures. The role holder should be able to work autonomously, but should seek the Head of Legal – Global Corporate Finance & Islamic Banking and the Senior Legal Counsel’s input on unusual situations, complex matters, and issues which may pose significant legal, financial and/or reputational risk to the FAB Group.

Core Responsibilities

Legal Advisory

• Provides legal advice and support to the business while keeping in mind FAB’s strategic and business objectives.
• Collaborates with the Head of Legal and Senior Legal Counsel to establish, disseminate and implement the FAB Group legal policies.
• Completes legal tasks and projects in a timely manner and responds to legal queries assigned to him/her by the Head of Legal or the Senior Legal Counsel.
• Supports FAB subsidiaries and international branches by providing general legal oversight on legal risks associated with the relevant business products and services.

Litigation

• Assists with the management of litigation or disputes between the business and its customers in the UAE and abroad.
• Represents FAB before Notaries Public, court experts, courts, and the police to resolve matters in the best interest of the FAB Group.
• Reports relevant litigation matters to the Head of Legal and/or the Senior Legal Counsel and provides updates to the relevant stakeholders.

Legal Documentation and Review

• Drafts, reviews and negotiates contracts and other legal documents in order to maximise the FAB Group’s legal protections whilst simultaneously minimising risks.
• Prepares and regularly updates standardised legal agreements, contracts and standard terms and conditions for FAB in compliance with international best practices and applicable legal requirements.
• Assists the Heads of Legal and Senior Legal Counsels in reviewing the standard terms and conditions used by the business and updates or recommends legal policies and processes in line with best international practices.

Knowledge of External Environment

• Stays current on emerging trends in the laws and regulations through continuous legal education, attending professional conferences, and participating in professional associations.
• Provides updates on new legislation or regulatory developments that may have an impact on the business and its implications.

Knowledge Sharing

• Works closely and develops a positive professional relationship with the other members of the legal function and shares legal knowledge and best practices with legal colleagues.

Stakeholder Management

• Liaises with the concerned external authorities such as courts and law firms to ensure effective resolution of all legal matters affecting FAB.

MIS and Reporting

• Ensures that all requisite reports are prepared in a timely and accurate manner, and meet the FAB Group’s requirements, policies, and standards.

Specific Accountability

• Drafts, reviews and negotiates standard form Islamic banking agreements and contracts including general terms and conditions.
• Drafts, reviews and negotiates Islamic deal documentation for syndicated loans, project finance, leveraged/acquisition finance, real estate finance and asset finance transactions, agency requirements in loan documentation, debt restructurings and other lending agreements.
• Work with external counsel and the business in relation to Islamic Finance transactions.
• Assists the business with developing and rolling out new Islamic products and services.
• Drafts, reviews and negotiates with English and Arabic language consumer banking and business banking-related documents (e.g. accounts, credit cards, personal loans, car loans, mortgage loans, merchant acquirer agreements, small business loans, retail Islamic finance).
• Handles and provides legal support in relation to customer requests to amend standard documentation in the UAE and abroad.
• Assists the Head of Legal in managing potential disputes and customer complaints in the UAE and abroad.
• Makes recommendations for improvements to policies and processes and streamlining the same to bring about efficiency and improve turn-around time.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in law.
• Master’s degree in law is preferred.
• Excellent English & Arabic language skills.

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a reputed bank or law firm.