SUMMARY:

The CLIENT Group is one of the world's leading energy producers and is on a path of significant growth. As a result, the role of CLIENT Group Corporate Ethics & Compliance has very quickly expanded. This is a fantastic opportunity for a highly experienced and enthusiastic competition/antitrust law expert to work across multiple areas in the global energy sector at a highly ambitious company in the UAE at a very exciting time.

The successful candidate will:

• advise on all matters related to competition law, including compliance, merger control, foreign direct investment and similar filings;
• advise on topical issues, including ESG (and the inter-relationship with competition law), as well as the opportunity to be involved in renewable/sustainability focused energy projects; and
• have the opportunity to work in the area of international sanctions and trade controls.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• The Competition & Trade Senior Counsel will sit within the wider CLIENT Group Corporate Ethics & Compliance Team, which is part of CLIENT’s Group Legal, Governance and Compliance Function, and will be based in CLIENT’s HQ in Abu Dhabi. He/she will report to the Head of Competition & Trade Law within the same group.
• Oversees and advises on all compliance aspects of competition law (anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominance), merger control, foreign direct investment and similar filings across the world to support CLIENT’s M&A, projects and transaction activity.
• Delivers effective and up to date awareness and training programs for CLIENT, and coordinates with other group companies on wider training and development initiatives.
• Supports the implementation, and ongoing development, of CLIENT Group’s Corporate Ethics & Compliance Program, particularly in relation to competition law.
• Provides knowledge transfer and support in the development of other compliance professionals in the team. This includes developing Emirati compliance professionals.
• Undertakes investigations concerning allegations of potential non-compliant conduct/risks.
• Regular reporting to the CLIENT Group senior management, including Chief Legal Counsel.
• Regular contact with the CLIENT business, commercial partners (including IOCs, NOCs, other Abu Dhabi entities), service/goods providers, law firms, and risk and compliance consultants, including for the purpose of sharing and aligning international compliance best practices and obtaining legal and compliance advice as required by the business.
• Opportunity to engage in international sanctions and trade controls (e.g. financial and trade sanctions, export controls and other international restrictive measures) compliance advice.
• This work would be across multiple CLIENT businesses including downstream production and sales, upstream infrastructure and processing, trading, renewables, procurement, logistics and shipping, drilling, fuel stations, and Group governance, working with the CLIENT Communications team and the CEO’s office.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Law from a reputable university.
• Admitted to practise law in the UAE or other suitable jurisdiction.
• Related post-graduate (e.g. PG Diploma / MA in EU Competition Law) or other qualifications are an advantage.

Minimum Experience & Knowledge & Skills

• Ideally at least 8 years of relevant post-qualification antitrust work experience ("PQE"), preferably in top-tier international law firm(s). Exceptional candidates with fewer years PQE may also be considered. 
• In-house experience is an advantage.
• Current practising certificate issued by professional legal regulator or equivalent body.
• Direct experience of advising on antitrust matters. Experience in trade compliance (sanctions and trade controls) is an additional advantage.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to run projects from start to finish.
• Excellent English language (written and spoken). Arabic is an advantage.