British American Tobacco GCC DMCC Recruits ME SUPPORT LEGAL COUNSEL

Job purpose and key deliverables    Providing the business with quality commercial and legal advice, guidance, leadership and support;
to consistently minimise and manage commercial and legal risks;
to regulate all marketing activities ensuring International Marketing Principles (“IMP”) and legislative compliance; and
to support in problem-solving and decision-making in all legal areas in GCC markets, enabling GCC business to achieve strategic objectives.
On the other hand, the role requires maintaining the corporate compliance culture in order to ensure sustainability in GCC, specifically by driving adherence to group standards such as code of ethics, contract and sanctions compliance procedures.

The role covers GCC (6 markets)

Responsibilities include:
· Plan, manage and execute all board and shareholders meetings for the entities established in GCC, coordinate execution of day to day corporate secretarial documents and legal submissions of entities in UAE and Bahrain.
· Manage corporate compliance calendar consisting of annual trainings of company employees in GCC on company policies and procedures
· Draft, negotiate and conclude written letters, memoranda, agreements and/or other documents relating to all significant commercial transactions so as to optimise and protect the interests of the GCC business and the wider BAT Group.
· Assist with the registration and licensing of trade-marks and other intellectual property rights and coordinate actions against any infringement or other protection action.
· Monitor and ensure compliance of all business functions in GCC markets with all corporate governance and legislative obligations as well as ensure all marketing and promotional activities undertaken by the business are compliant with both the IMP and any other relevant laws and regulations.
· Advise and assist the anti-illicit trade team to formulate and implement successful anti-illicit trade programmes and initiatives in the GCC and to act as the custodian of the GCC’s business’ policies and procedures in respect of cross border trade in BAT products.
·Advise and assist the external affairs team from regulatory perspective in setting the legal framework as basis of engagement programmes.
· Closely monitor regulatory developments in GCC countries with particular focus on tobacco and marketing regulations, review and approve all marketing activities and materials developed by the marketing function for use in GCC markets and in duty free areas in coordination with Head of Government Affairs.
· Devise / implement standard contract templates and drive use of such with trade marketing teams in the end markets; and with budget holders and procurement function in company’s transactions with third parties for GCC purchases.
· Advise HR function in all matters relating to Labour Laws of GCC countries mainly for UAE (including DMCC regulations) and KSA.
· Devise / implement standard documents for management of day to day HR activities in light of Labour Laws of GCC markets as well as support with labour disputes and coordinate labour litigation with external legal counsels.

Essential requirements    
A graduate and qualified lawyer,
At least 5 to 8 years legal experience (with some ideally GCC in-house or private practice),
Ability to work in a team and interact with different stakeholders within BAT and externally,
Ability to exercise judgement and assess risk in diverse markets,
Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic and familiarity with legal documentation in the English language.
Desirable requirements    
Sound commercial sense and practical approach;
Effective in coordinating matters and resources in‑house and in directing external advisers;
High level of commercial and corporate experience with exposure to trade-marks and litigation is an advantage.
Working at BAT    British American Tobacco (www.bat.com) is a market leading, global organisation with a long, established history and a bright and dynamic future. Thanks to our people we have continued to deliver growth and exceed expectations in an increasingly complex and challenging marketplace.

Our aim is to become the leading tobacco company in each of our markets by providing excellent products with confidence and responsibility expected of global consumer brands.

If you have the talent and motivation to help us succeed you’ll find we are equally committed to helping you reach your full potential too.
Employing company    British American Tobacco GCC DMCC
Deadline Date    17-Sep-2015
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