Senior Legal Researcher

Date: Jan 11, 2025

Company: Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority

Job Objective:
Carry out Legal Research and advice activities within Abu Dhabi Accountability Authority (ADAA) including providing legal research support and advice to organizational units, and analyzing and identifying the legal risks and implications of all the business transactions within the Authority and its subject entities by ensuring thorough up to date legal research and information.

1. Strategy and Planning:
   Contribute to the development, implementation, and update of the section related policy, procedures manual, delegation of authority, systems user manuals and standard forms, and ensure alignment with ADAA's overall policies and procedures.
2. Contribute to the development, implementation, and update of the sections' strategic, budget and procurement, and operational plans ensuring alignment with the department and sector strategy and objectives, and ADAA's mission and vision.
3. Assist in the development of the section Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and ensure to meet individual KPIs to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
4. Operations:
   Provide legal research, advisory services and continuous support on any arising issues that may impact the day-to-day operations within the various functions of ADAA to ensure timely up to date legal advice on resolution of any outstanding legal matters.
5. Provide up to date legal research and consultancy to draft resolutions, circulars, and correspondences to ensure conformity with all relevant laws, regulations, and legislations.
6. Research, legally review, consult, and provide advice on resolutions, appointment letters, HR recommendations, etc., and ensure all round legal conformity.
7. Conduct up to date legal research to review and provide advice on financial disclosure reports for senior government employees, and studies and advisory work carried out by Audit Sector.
8. Conduct up to date legal research and provide consultancy to ensure legal consistency of decisions and policies with existing regulations, laws, and legislations.
9. Participate in the development of local legal legislations and policies by conducting thorough legal research on all laws and legislations in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi related to ADAA's mandate.
10. Review draft legislations related to ADAA's mandate in accordance with up to date research information on the provisions of the law.
11. Conduct legal research studies related to ADAA mandate as directed by the Senior Management.
12. Conduct up to date research on laws and legislations to identify gaps in current legal practices.
13. Research, recommend and assist in drafting laws and other legislations to address gaps identified.
14. Record, update, archive and maintain legal research records and general decisions issued by the Chairman and government decisions addressed to ADAA in the resolution system in coordination with relevant organizational units.
15. Collaborate with the Legal Services in the preparation of the annual strategic and operational work plan and operating budget for the department in accordance with the directives set by the Management.
16. Collaborate with the Legal Services in conducting awareness workshops based on up to date research for the employees to introduce and implement laws and legislations and provide the necessary training in coordination with the relevant organizational units.
17. Conduct evaluation on the work outputs according to latest research and findings of the Integrity and Anti-Corruption Sector in matters referred to the Department of Legal Affairs by the Chairman, and prepare technical reports.
18. Provide legal research and consultancy for planning, developing and executing the financial disclosure system for ADAA employees and well as the subject entities' employees under ADAA mandate.
19. Provide legal research and consultation on legal and program issues, analyze problems and develop solutions through up to date legal research to actively manage risks in order to meet ADAA's objectives.
20. Collaborate with relevant stakeholders across ADAA by providing legal research support in overseeing and ensuring legal compliance across the business, maintaining the business integrity both internally and externally (reputational risk).
21. Identify through research legal and regulation risks and issues within ADAA and recommend intervention as required in order to mitigate the risk.
22. Talent Management and Development:
    Ensure completion of required trainings and certification programs in order to keep current with job requirements and ensure continuous performance improvements.
23. Obtain timely performance review assessments for midyear and annual performance review and ensure to meet the set KPIs.
24. Keep current with updated information relevant to the role to ensure standard performance level is achieved.
25. Contribute to knowledge dissemination/sharing to build internal capabilities of the team and maximize their effective performance.
26. Contribute to the development of UAE National employees in line with the objectives of the Authority and its Emiratization strategy.
27. Corporate:
    Ensure adherence and compliance with all ADAA corporate policies, procedures and guidelines (HR, IT, Procurement, Finance, Health and Safety, etc.).
28. Prepare section's related correspondence such as e-mails, memos, and letters to ensure professionalism, completeness and accuracy of information.
29. Retain, document, preserve, and archive section's related physical and electronic records in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
30. Respond to any section related queries and provide required support to relevant ADAA's organizational units and employees as and when required.
31. Utilize relevant technologies used within ADAA in order to optimize work efficiency.
32. Demonstrate compliance with ADAA's values, Code of Business Conduct and ethics at all times to support the establishment of a value driven culture within the Authority.
33. Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement and sustainability of systems, processes and practices considering global standards, productivity improvement and cost reduction.
34. Contribute to the preparation and submission of timely and accurate statements and reports to meet department requirements, and quality standards.
35. Co-operate in the implementation of the relevant health and safety legislation, policies and procedures, in the performance of duties.
36. General:
    The level of performance should reflect the academic qualification, type of courses in the field of specialization, employee job level, and the level of productivity.
37. The academic and professional certificates required and approved by ADAA should be acquired within the period specified and based on the employee's Individual Development Plan.
38. Perform the task and responsibilities independently unless an approval or directive was obtained to delegate the task to other employees in case of incapability to perform the tasks and responsibilities.
39. Ensure teamwork, collaboration, and dedication in performing duties.

1. Bachelor's Accredited Degree in Law or Management
2. 4 - 6 years of relevant experience in legal counselling in business environment or in corporate law in a law firm or as an in-house lawyer, or a combination of both. Proficiency in Arabic and English.

1. Master's Degree in Law or Business Administration is desirable
2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
3. Proven track record of drafting, reviewing and editing agreements and contracts
4. IELTS certificate with a cumulative grade of at least 6.5.