Vice President - Legal and Insurance - United Arab Shipping Company - Dubai

Job description
Job Purpose:
To be the principal resource in providing expert legal advice, direction and timely alerts to the UASC Executive Management, Board of Directors, Departments, Subsidiaries and Associate Companies to ensure protection against legal liability /consequences/implications and risks in business contracts, business decisions (including industry regulations/compliance) and business environments and to oversee the management of all claims made against the Company and insurances of assets /third party liabilities.



- Provide in-house legal expertise and opinion (to the Board of Directors, Executive Management, business units including subsidiaries and affiliates) to support business decision-making
- Advise the Management in selection of external legal firms where outsourcing is necessary
- Draft/review all UASC contracts with external parties and, wherever required, negotiate the legal clauses/terms to protect the interests of UASC
- Participate in commercial negotiations with third parties wherever required and requested
- Provide, as necessary, the legal interpretation and application of provisions while implementing legal contracts
- Provide (guide the subordinates to provide) legal opinion on claims relating to different commercial matters e.g. insurance claims, customers, suppliers, workers, vendors, contractors, etc.
- Arrange insurance of various company assets (vessels, containers, buildings, etc.) and third party liabilities to appropriately mitigate UASC’s risks and correspondingly negotiate insurance premiums to minimize the cost- Initiate timely legal action as required to mitigate risks and protect UASC interests
- Contribute to reach timely settlements in disputes and claims and negotiate ‘out of court settlements’ when necessary/possible
- Consolidate and analyse insurance premiums spent each year and notify key findings to the stake-holders
- Scan the UASC business and relevant business environments and identify legal, regulatory, and compliance risks and render strategic advice on risk mitigation measures
- Monitor the risk drivers, risk consequences, existing risk mitigation measures, and contribute to the development of risk treatment strategies through effectively working with business units
- Draft/apply standardized contracts/documents/tenders/clauses and develop/instil/apply appropriate procedures within the department
- Ensure the Safe Custody and Archival of Company’s original legal documents and take adequate measures to protect against the misuse of the same
- Ensure outcomes from legal research and past cases are taken into account when relevant, in the formulation of new cases and legal advice
- Monitor Political Risks in the various jurisdictions in which UASC operates and provide timely alerts to Management and concerned Business Units
- Monitor IT Security and Environmental Risks jointly with CIO and VP-Fleet- Develop, obtain approval for and implement the department financial plans, budgets and budgetary controls for the operation of the department activities in line with established objectives and overall strategy of the company
- Monitor the implementation of the same to ensure there is minimum or no deviation from plan
- Provide assistance whenever required in establishing special purpose vehicles (companies) in appropriate jurisdictions for the purposes of financing transactions, joint ventures or other business purposes of the UASC Group
- Act as nominee Director in a couple of UASC subsidiary or Associate Companies
- Be a permanent invitee/Serve as a member of the Tender Committee where procurement of all contract proposals in excess of USD 1 Mn are evaluated
- Serve as a member of the Information Technology Council of UASC where decisions related to IT issues are periodically taken
- Serve as a Trustee to the UK Employees’ Pension Scheme

Desired Skills and Experience

Qualifications and Experience:

- A degree (preferably Masters) in Law from a recognized University with additional qualifications in shipping field, Maritime laws and insurance laws
- 15 years’ legal experience with 5 years in a leadership role within a commercial legal function

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour:

- High level of analytical and strategic thinking to provide legal counsel and guidance to the organization
- Ability to convey a professional image and effectively represent the organization as appropriate in its relationship with the legal, business, and government entities
- Ability to communicate complex and technical information effectively
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to communicate organizational policies and procedures
- Must be results oriented and able to manage several projects simultaneously
- Knowledge of Maritime laws
- Knowledge of insurance contracts and terms
- Problem solving and time management skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English

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