Junior Legal Counsel

Junior Legal Counsel

Role Overview

You will play a vital role in supporting the Legal and Compliance Counsel of the organization in managing legal matters across the company, with a focus on the food and distribution sectors.

Reporting directly to the Legal and Compliance Counsel, you will assist with day-to-day legal work—drafting and reviewing commercial agreements, advising on compliance matters, and liaising with internal and external stakeholders to mitigate risk and ensure regulatory adherence.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft, review, amend, and evaluate various legal documents and commercial agreements (e.g., RFPs, partnership agreements, distribution agreements, sale and purchase agreements).
• Act promptly to intervene in disputes or legal claims related to the business, under the guidance of Legal and Compliance Counsel and the senior management.
• Prepare concise reports on ongoing cases, updating the Legal and Compliance Counsel on progress and any emerging issues.
• Collaborate with external law firms and third-party counsel, ensuring alignment with organization's legal strategy.
• Ensure organizational compliance with relevant UAE federal, local, and industry-specific regulations.
• Assist in updating and implementing compliance policies, including the Code of Business Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Bribery & Corruption, and Fraud Risk Assessment.
• Identify and assess potential compliance risks; develop and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Deliver compliance training and promote a “speak-up” culture, ensuring annual acknowledgements from all employees.
• Monitor and report compliance activities, escalating high-risk issues immediately to the holding company.
• Assist with internal investigations, maintaining accurate records of findings and corrective actions.
• Evaluate third-party vendors and partners for compliance; support implementation of Integrity Due Diligence and export-control procedures.
• Ensure data privacy compliance (e.g., GDPR, UAE Data Protection Law); assist in implementing data-privacy policies and processes.
• Promote ethical conduct and integrity; develop induction and annual ethics & compliance training materials.
• Assist in implementing and monitoring sanctions policies, including counterparty screening and contract representations.
• Provide legal support for corporate transactions, M&A due diligence, and joint-venture and strategic partnership agreements.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ post-qualification legal experience at a reputable law firm and/or in-house role, preferably within a multinational.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or equivalent from a recognized university; LL.M. or postgraduate qualification is an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Arabic or another language is desirable.
• At least 2 years of UAE/Middle East experience with a strong understanding of the UAE legal framework.
• Familiarity with F&B distribution or related industries is preferred.
• Experience with M&A transactions is preferred.
• Solid grasp of corporate governance and compliance best practices.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships across all organizational levels.