Legal Counsel MESCAT

Job description

ENGIE is a global leading energy company that develops its businesses – Power, Natural Gas, Energy Services – around a model based on responsible growth to take on the challenges of the transition to a low-carbon economy, security of supply, the rational use of resources, access to sustainable energy and climate change. The Group provides governments, communities, cities and businesses with efficient and innovative solutions based on its expertise in four key sectors: independent power development, renewable energy, liquefied natural gas and energy efficiency services.

ENGIE's Business Unit (BU) for the Middle East, South & Central Asia and Turkey (MESCAT) headquartered in Dubai, has activities in large scale power generation and water desalination, gas retail and distribution, and energy services for B2B customers. Leveraging on its strong positions, the MESCAT BU is developing its presence in renewable energies, in the gas value chain and in energy efficiency services.

Purpose of the Job

• Legal support to power and water generation projects during construction and operation phases.

Reporting line

• The Legal Counsel will report to the Deputy General Counsel and Ethics Officer – Assets Construction & Operations.

Key Accountabilities

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating broad spectrum of contracts, such as EPC contracts, power and water purchase agreements, shareholders agreements, O&M agreements, long term services and parts agreements, project finance related agreements, bank guarantees etc.
• Providing general advice on contract management, dispute avoidance and other related legal matters as they arise (including regulatory and local laws issues in coordination with local counsel) during the construction and operation phases of a project.
• Handling and assuming active involvement in and leadership in the management of construction and commercial related litigations and arbitrations, with the support of external counsels.
• Engaging, managing and controlling the use, quality and costs of external counsels.
• Managing relationships and creating an association of trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with policies and procedures of ENGIE's group.
• Contributing to the implementation and use of the document management system.
• Monitoring and reporting on non-compliance with policies or procedures, pending or threatened violations of law or ethical values of Engie.
• Controlling the use, quality and cost of external legal counsel, where instructed.

• Law Degree from a reputable university.
• Legal qualification from a common law jurisdiction is preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years Post-Qualified Experience.
• Currently working in private practice or in-house with large multinational company, either way the candidate will have good background in project finance, energy and construction (contentious and non-contentious).

Language

• Excellent command of English.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of energy/power generation.
• Knowledge of front-end and back-end construction matters.
• Commercial awareness and business mindset.
• Strong negotiation, contract drafting and interpretation skills.
• Ability to deal with complexity.
• Ability to provide sound legal advice.
• Excellent organisational skills – able to manage conflicting and demanding priorities.
• Focused, target-oriented and time-bound way of working.
• Ability to take full responsibility and deliver results.
• Ability to work within a team of members from varying cultural backgrounds as well as with counterparts of varying cultural backgrounds.
• Client management and services skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills, with the ability to work effectively with people at all organisational levels and to influence and persuade others in constructive manner in order to preserve the interest of the MESCAT BU.

Business Understanding

• Energy regulatory framework.
• Group's strategy vision.
• Group's governance and ethical rules.

Location/travel

• Based in Dubai HQ, UAE.
• Flexibility to travel throughout the MESCAT region.

The Hay level for this position is 14 and will be offered on local terms and contract.

Additional Information
·  Posting Date: Feb 12, 2020