Veolia Hiring for Senior Legal Counsel Middle & Near East Job at Dubai

Company Description

Providing water, energy and waste management solutions for 160 years, Veolia offers public authorities and industries with a range of water, energy and waste management services vital to human development and sustainable growth in 48 countries around the world. We continue to adapt and innovate in step with economic growth and human development by designing and implementing solutions that will have a positive impact on the environment and resources.

Our goal is to build a better 21st century, we therefore see ourselves as #resourcers.

Key figures:

• More than 3,000 employees in the Middle East (in addition to the 4,000 employees from Enova which reports directly to Veolia Africa Middle East, for Facility Management and energy Efficiency contracts in the ME)
• A strong local network with 25 projects across the region (UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon)
• 30 years of sustainable partnerships
• More than 6,000 references

In the Middle East, Veolia works with industries, governments and communities, retail and commercial businesses, to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions that are needed today, with the vision required for tomorrow.

Through public-private partnerships and innovative contractual schemes, Veolia is committed to achieving quantifiable results with sustainable, pragmatic environmental solutions.

Job Description

SCOPE & PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• Providing all business and legal affairs support required by the business of Veolia in the GCC and Near East.
• Managing corporate matters of select subsidiaries of Veolia for the projects in the GCC and Near East.

This includes delivering first hand, first class business and legal affairs support on matters of key strategic, financial and reputational importance to the business.

You will be joining a stable legal team of three in the ME HQ (reporting to the Middle & Near East Deputy General Counsel).

The W/L balance is good, the culture is a mix of Middle East and West.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Legal structuring of environmental utilities and infrastructures projects (particularly in the water, energy and waste field of activities), in close collaboration with the business development team and dedicated experts located at Veolia headquarters
• Conceiving, drafting, negotiating and implementing a variety of contractual solutions fit for the context of the business matters to be addressed by Veolia in the region and contributing to reinforcing Veolia’s position towards partners, suppliers and customers by providing secured legal solutions in all business relationships, setting up of partnerships, tenders review process, drafting & negotiation of commercial contracts and project agreements, including O&M contracts, DBO, EPC, BOT contracts, shareholders’ agreement, etc
• Advising on intercompany agreements, supporting M&A transactions and joint ventures creations
• Providing day-to-day advice to the operations team throughout the implementation of projects on issues arising (in particular during the construction phase), in collaboration with contract managers
• Handling corporate matters necessary for the projects structuring in the region, including supporting the local teams for renewal of business licences, appointment/ replacement of directors, etc, in close coordination with the Head of Corporate Affairs based in Paris
• Interfacing with external advisors (most often law firms) and internal support functions, including finance department
• In compliance with Veolia Group policies and in close coordination with the Headquarters Litigation Department, interfacing with external counsels for management of pre-litigation or litigation matters in the region
• Preparing memos for projects approval and operations review submitted to the Group or Zone Investment Committee
• In coordination with the AME Risk & Compliance Officer, monitoring compliance with policies and procedures issued by Veolia, alerting on non-compliance with policies or procedures, pending or threatened violations of law or ethical values of the Group

• More generally, supporting the top management of Veolia Middle East in the follow-up of various legal matters. Travelling in the region will occur occasionally.

Qualifications

• You hold a law degree (ideally from a UK/US/NZ/AUS university) and have acquired a first experience of at least 8 years in the projects practice of an international law firm andor in the legal department of a large engineering, industrial, construction or manufacturing group.
• Ideally, you have both front-end and back-end project finance/construction experience and you are familiar with English law contracts, in particular construction contracts and consortium agreements
• You have experience of IWPs/ ISTPs and detailed knowledge and understanding of financing documents, WPAs/ STAs and other project document

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• English mother tongue or equivalent; mastery of Arabic language (spoken and written) would be a plus
• Ability to work in a foreign or multicultural management environment, with direct knowledge of the GCC and Near East zone. Comfortable navigating across multiple countries
• Ability to timely deliver reliable legal advice in a practical and commercially focused way in relation to all relevant matters that reduce risk, resolve issues and maximise the opportunity for the business to deliver on its goals
• Highest ethical standards
• Motivated and engaged as a real team player, with also a good level of autonomy
• Problem solving attitude, with strong aptitude to identify and foster pragmatic approaches
• Excellent drafting, interpersonal and communication skills
• Ideal candidates have a background in infrastructures or utility sectors.

Additional Information

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete or exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities that will be carried out by the selected candidate.

Veolia Middle East does not and shall not discriminate in any forms in its recruitment processes.