Middle East: Counsel, Legal Affairs posted by MECS Africa

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and handle all in-house litigation matters across commercial, labor, IP, and civil disputes.
• Represent the company in court, prepare legal strategies, and ensure the company’s legal interests are effectively defended.
• Draft, review, and negotiate various contracts, including commercial agreements, employment contracts, vendor agreements, and partnerships.
• Ensure all contract terms are legally sound and protect the company’s rights and obligations.
• Advise on labor law issues, including employment contracts, employee disputes, disciplinary actions, and compliance with labor regulations.
• Support the HR department with legally compliant workplace policies and procedures.
• Provide legal counsel on corporate law, intellectual property, contract law, and dispute resolution matters.
• Serve as the main legal contact for business units regarding daily operational legal queries.
• Manage negotiations, mediation, and ADR processes with employees, suppliers, partners, and contractors, aiming to resolve disputes efficiently.
• Provide legal advice on the protection and management of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and related IP matters.
• Ensure the company’s intellectual property assets are safeguarded and properly maintained.
• Identify, assess, and manage legal risks related to business operations, contracts, and transactions.
• Provide proactive legal solutions to minimize liability and ensure compliance.
• Work with external legal counsel on specialized legal issues and ensure effective use of resources.
• Manage external legal service providers and associated legal costs.
• Maintain organized and secure legal documents, including contracts and litigation files.
• Ensure legal records are properly stored and accessible to internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB or equivalent).
• Postgraduate qualification in commercial law or corporate law is preferred but not mandatory.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, preferably within a corporate legal department or law firm.
• Strong experience in litigation, contract law, and labor law.
• Demonstrated ability to manage litigation matters and negotiate complex contracts.