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Job title
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Head of Legal
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Stream
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Downstream
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Function
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Legal
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Location
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OQ8 HQ Office - Muscat
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Budget control
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*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*
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Reporting to
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OQ8 CEO
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Direct reports
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Job purpose
Under the general direction of OQ8 CEO, the Head Legal leads and coordinates OQ8’s Legal strategy and provides legal advice and direction on OQ8’s legal framework priorities and its related implementation plans associated with both day-to-day activities and complex strategic initiatives. The Head Legal reports to the CEO and to the Board as Company Secretary by (1) providing sound legal advice on company legal strategies and their implementation, (2) Managing the legal function and its associated staff, and (3) Oversees the work of external counsels, and (4) develops and maintains a Compliance programs that reinforces behaviors within defined and communicated boundaries.
The position will act in accordance with the OQ8’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as, policies, guidelines and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, HSE standards, Oman’s government & other legal justification’s, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.
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Main tasks and responsibilities
- Establish the short and long-term strategy for Legal and translate it into business plans with objectives and performance indicators to measure success to support the achievement of OQ8’s strategic objectives
- Act as the legal adviser to Senior Management and ensure the resolution of major legal issues affecting OQ8’s strategic interests
- Build and develop the Legal function in a manner to efficiently and effectively support the business, ensuring clear lines of responsibility and accountability
- Foster collaboration within the Legal team and between the Legal function and the business lines/other functions to ensure Legal is appropriately positioned and utilized with the OQ8 Joint Venture
- Manage Legal resources, to ensure appropriate skill set and capacity to address the legal demands of the Joint Venture
- Lead negotiations of material agreements across a wide variety of transactions and discussions
- Works closely with Senior Management in shaping the business strategy of the Joint Venture
- Oversight and accountability in supporting the legal experts from the various business lines/ functions in leading the negotiations of agreements across a wide variety of transactions and discussions
- Lead and manage the Legal staff, including workforce planning (hiring and deployment within the function), performance management and development of direct reports to maximize their potential and engagement.
- Oversee continuous improvements & LEAN execution plans in the area. Continuously identify and recommend improvements while ensuring compliance with the group guidelines, international/local standards, and relevant legislation.
Lead Legal team to:
- Set the strategy and plan for the Legal function, to provide timely, high-quality legal advice and assistance to OQ8’s businesses and functions across all relevant jurisdictions to support the businesses to achieve their strategic objectives
- Set the strategy for contractual negotiation and documentation for the interest of OQ8 and its businesses
- Oversee the management of corporate secretarial activities and provision of legal advice in relation to corporate governance
- Set the strategy for the development of corporate compliance and regulatory policies and standards in relation to Anti-Bribery, Corruption, Whistle-blower, Sanctions, Export Controls, Trademark and Brand Compliance and oversee their implementation and enforcement throughout the OQ8 Joint Venture, to mitigate risk and ensure OQ8’s business activities are carried out in an ethical manner and with integrity
- Oversee and advise Legal departments on litigation and dispute settlement activities and lead instructions to external counsel to ensure outcomes in the best interest of OQ8
- Design and implement digital transformation initiatives that enhance legal efficiency, and continuously improve the same
- Lead the research, analysis and interpretation of proposed and existing laws, statutes and regulations in all jurisdictions in which OQ8 operates, and their impact on OQ8’s business to plan for any changes, measures required
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders, particularly governmental authorities and regulators, as well as external counsel and consultants
- Manage the development and implementation of the Compliance processes, and monitor compliance across the organisation to the defined legal framework in order to ensure
- Manage the activities related to OQ8’s legal framework in order to ensure its compliance with its obligations.
- Provide technical advice to management on legal cases and disputes in order to protect the organisation’s interest in an efficient and effective manner.
- Represents the legal function at meeting on selected business matters
- Co-ordination of legal and regulatory issues with financial, legal and technical advisors
- Ensures timely and compliant execution of Significant Contracts, and catalogues and maintains custody of the same.
- Advice on maintaining full compliance with contractual obligations, regulatory agencies and environmental laws.
- Managing the services of outside counsel.
- Review OQ8’s panel of law firms on periodic basis based on their performance and competency.
Performance Management:
- Overseas the Capacity building initiatives & performance of direct and indirect staff, aligning those initiatives with the human resources processes and systems, to ensure the transfer of knowledge to local staff and motivate employees with the right balance of technical and functional capabilities.
- Overseas employee’s competence development.
- Overseas building and retaining capabilities
- Lead and guide a motivated, engaged, high performing and capable team in order to deliver the department business plan.
- Lead the Talent and Performance Management for its direct and indirect reports, defining workforce requirements, recruiting, training and developing talent, aligned with the human resources processes and systems, to ensure capable, qualified and highly motivated employees with the right balance of technical and functional capabilities.
Specific near-term challenges:
- Managing potential claims from EPCs as part of the project close-out
- Supporting Finance with capital restructuring
- Building trust and confidence with the shareholder legal departments
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Key interactions
Internal: Executive Leadership Team | Board | Heads of other Streams/Businesses | Legal team members | Assurance
External: Government / Ministries | External Legal Counsel | Auditors | Vendors
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Notable Working Conditions: Primarily office-based work; occasional domestic and international travel
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Education requirements
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- Bachelor’s degree in law (Required)
- Authorized legal practice (required)
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Language requirements
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Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English (required)
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Background and experience
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Competencies and skills
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- Minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in law within the Energy Industry
- 5 years as senior member of a corporate legal function or partner in a law consulting firm / company
- Experience with working in the Sultanate of Oman legal framework (preferred)
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- Ability to negotiate and influence
- Ability to lead a team of professionals
- Ability to identify and mitigate legal compliance risks
- Ability to communicate at various corporate levels
- Ability to work across different functions
- Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds
- Demonstrated strategic orientation
- Advanced critical analytical skills
- Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to conduct legal negotiation
- Demonstrated leadership to develop high performing teams
- Capable of inspiring and leading change,
- must be fluent in legal terminology in English
Technical:
- Proficiency in M/S Office
- Legal Finance & Banking, Corporate & Projects (Petrochemical / construction)
- Finance & Corporate Law
- Contract management,
- Trade agreement,
- M&A
- Compliance, Governance,
- Contracting (required)
- Project finance
- Omani Law / UK Law)
- Litigation and Arbitration.
- In-depth understanding of the Oil & Gas industry
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