Details

 

(Job title

Legal Advisor - Alternative Energy

Grade

Stream

Alternative Energy  

Function

Legal

Location

Oman   - Muscat

Budget control

*OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant*

Reporting to

• VP Legal Alternative Energy
• Chief Executive Alternative Energy
• Group OQ General Counsel (Functional)

Direct reports

TBD

Job purpose

Manage all legal issues related to OQ Alternative Energy LLC (OQAE) Strategic Business Unit's operations & commercial activities, acting as the legal adviser to OQAE Chief Executive and Senior Management and ensure the resolution of major legal issues affecting their strategic interests by: (1)  Managing the day-to-day legal matters for OQAE including its constituent functions (Strategy and Decarbonization, Low Carbon Molecules, Clean Energy, Energy Excellence, Finance and People, Technology and Culture);  (2) Overall responsibility for the delivery of legal services within OQAE and risk management; (3) Managing any legal disputes that arise, (4) overseeing the drafting and negotiation of contracts (e.g. NDAs, MOUs, joint development agreements, joint study agreements, SHAs, SPAs, operating agreements, power purchase agreeements,, O&M, offtake agreements, EPC agreements & financing agreements);  (5) Advising Senior Management of OQAE  on legal issues relating to the strategic Business Unit,  the impact on OQ’s strategy and the execution thereof; (6) Setting the standards of professionalism and collegiality within the Legal team while building the resources and capabilities of the OQAE Legal function, and; (7) managing relationships with external stakeholders (including project partners and their legal teams,  external legal service providers, Ministries and Government institutions); (8) ensuring OQAE Strategic Business Unit complies with all relevant laws and regulations, that legal risks are effectively managed and that the business is well-positioned to meet the challenges and opportunities of the industry.

The candidate will act in accordance with OQ's mission, vision, values, and strategies, as well as policies, guidelines, and international standards and best practices aligned with national and shareholder objectives.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Accountabilities:

• Support the establishment of short and long-term strategy for Legal at OQAE Strategic Business Unit based on OQ Group and OQAE’s Business strategy and translate it into business plans with objectives and performance indicators to measure success and support the achievement of OQAE’s initiatives.
• Work as an integral part of the Legal function in OQAE in a manner that supports business efficiency and effectiveness, as well as ensuring clear lines of responsibility and accountability.
• Ensure legal compliance across OQAE strategic business unit as well as drive and monitor the regulatory processes of obtaining permits related to OQAE business activities, and ensure environmental impacts are minimized.
• Partake in compliance training programs covering topics such as workplace safety, cybersecurity, environmental safety, compliance and anti-bribery/corruption.
• Support the development of OQAE's compliance and regulatory policies and standards in relation to Anti-Bribery, Corruption, Whistleblowing, Sanctions, Export Controls, Trademark and Brand Compliance and oversee their implementation to mitigate risk and ensure business activities are carried out in a lawful and ethical manner and with integrity.
• Support commercial negotiations with project partners, internal and external customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders including the commercial aspects of offtake arrangements such as pricing, volume commitments, delivery schedules, and performance guarantees.
• Support the management of commercial disputes effectively to minimize their impact on the business by developing a litigation strategy that balances legal and commercial considerations, while managing the legal costs and negotiating settlements that protect OQAE s commercial interests.
• Lead OQAE negotiations for material contracts across a wide variety of transactions.
• Balancing legal and commercial considerations to ensure that the business is structured in a way that maximizes its opportunities while minimizing risks.
• Advising senior management and other members of the executive team on legal issues that may impact OQAE.
• Advising on a broad spectrum of legal issues including project development work, project implementation, project financing, structuring, M&A work, acquisitions and disposals, restructurings, corporate legal matters, back-in rights and claims.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiation of a variety of complex legal and commercial agreements.
• Oversee the research, analysis and interpretation of relevant proposed, and existing laws, statutes, and regulations in all jurisdictions in which OQAE operates, and their impact on Company’s business and plan effectively for contingencies.
• Development and training of direct reports to maximize their potential and engagement.

Key interactions

Internal: OQAE, VP & Heads of other Streams/Businesses, Legal team members of OQ Group and Business Units, Assurance and OIA.

External: JV partners, Government, Ministries, External Legal Counsel, Auditors and Vendors.

Notable Working Conditions: Primarily office-based work; occasional domestic and international travel.

Education requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in law Required
• Certificate of legal practice Required

Language requirements 

English – Fluent Required, including the ability to draft and review English language documents

Background and experience

Competencies and skills

• [  ]+ years of experience in law as a senior member of a corporate legal function (required) 

Experience: 

• Experience with project agreements commercial and offake agreements, financing and security agreements, corporate law agreements, construction agreements.
• Solid M&A experience 
• Experience across legal disciplines, including compliance, governance and corporate law (required)
• Experience working witihin the Sultanate of Oman (preferred)
• Experience in ESG monitoring, compliance & reporting.
• Regulatory, Policy, & Legislation for Hydrogen and Clean Energy Projects ( Wind, & Solar).
• Corporate Governance: Omani Law, & English Law.
• Risk Analysis & Management.
• Joint venture arrangements, legal background in transactional law. Litigation and Arbitration.

Soft:

• Strong leadership skills: team player who can work effectively with other members of the executive team to achieve the company's goals.
• Ability to analyse complex legal and business issues.
• Risk Management.
• Strategic thinking.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex legal issues to non-legal stakeholders and to negotiate effectively with outside parties and negotiate / influence.
• Stakeholder and Shareholder Management.
• Ability to work across different functions.
• Ability to work with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Collaboration.
• Empowering & developing high performing teams for competitive advantage.
• Promotes teamwork and an environment of Diversity & Inclusion.
• Builds trust by meeting commitments & creating an environment of transparency and accountability.
• Models and ensures commitment with business aspirations, ethics & guidelines.
• Maintaining effective, accurate and transparent communication with all stakeholders & community.
• Pursues innovation & continuous improvement.
• Takes accountability for a performance culture that delivers continuous transformation.
• Works with integrity

Technical:

• Computer literacy including MS Office
• Ability to balance legal requirements with commercial goals and to build strong relationships with stakeholders (including project partners and regulators) is key to success in this role.
• Strong understanding of the energy transition industry and its importance to Oman
• Conduct legal negotiation.
• Ability to identify and manage legal risks, including the ability to develop and implement risk management strategies.
• Delivery of well-informed, practical and commercially sound legal advice.
• Leads a solution-based approach to plan and deliver competitive results.
• Transforms strategic insight into achieving business excellence.