Legal Counsel – Foreign Bank Branch (DIFC)

Legal Counsel – Foreign Bank Branch (DIFC)

Location: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Department: Legal & Compliance Department (LCD)
Reports to: Head of Legal & Compliance Department

About the Role

We are a foreign bank branch established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), seeking a qualified and experienced Legal Counsel to join our Legal & Compliance Department. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive legal support to the Bank’s business and management functions in the UAE, ensuring adherence to applicable laws, regulations, and internal governance standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advisory & Contract Review
• Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of commercial and financial agreements (e.g., financing documents (mostly LMA style) for syndicated bilateral loan transactions, account terms & conditions, NDAs, vendor/service agreements, etc).
• Provide pragmatic legal advice on corporate, banking, and regulatory matters affecting the Bank’s operations.
• Support management and business units in identifying and mitigating legal risks in transactions and day-to-day operations.
• Regulatory & Compliance Support
• Advise on DIFC and DFSA regulatory requirements, as well as cross-border implications of UAE federal laws where applicable.
• Support compliance with Data Protection obligations under DIFC DP Law and group privacy frameworks.
• Manage and oversee the implementation of FATCA and CRS obligations.
• Corporate Governance & Legal Operations
• Maintain corporate records, legal documentation, and ensure adherence to internal governance processes.
• Liaise with external counsel, regulators, and internal stakeholders as required.
• Manage the bank’s panel of external law firms and coordinate legal budget control.
• Conduct internal legal and regulatory training for staff to enhance legal awareness and compliance culture.
• Risk Management
• Identify and escalate potential legal risks in a timely manner.
• Participate in risk assessments, policy reviews, and internal control initiatives from a legal perspective.